We all remember the ghost stories we read around the campfire growing up. Or maybe the ones our older siblings told us after our parents turned the lights out, resulting in optimal fear-induced trembling. If not that, we certainly remember the art work.
Last summer, the Guillermo del Toro produced Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark brought the familiar childhood horror stories to the big screen. And now, The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that a sequel is in the works.
The same writers and directors of the first movie will be on this team as well. André Øvredal in the director’s chair, Dan and Kevin Hageman on screenwriting duties. The screen story, much like the first, was written by del Toro himself.
Last years release saw ticket sales at $105 million, and when CBS Films merged with Paramount Studio’s parent company, Viacom, they saw potential in expanding on the original movies. While visually based on the art work of the series original illustrator, Stephen Gammell, the stories by author Alvin Schwartz total 27-29 per book. And there are three books.
In other words, there’s no shortage of material for them to draw from.
For those who haven’t seen the first movie, but are curious about the piece that will result from the trusted collaboration, there are other options to check out. Gullermo del Toro has teamed up with the Hagemans for several productions. This includes the Netflix series Trollhunter: Tales of Arcadia and the upcoming release of Dragon’s Lair. The Hagemans are also responsible for the script for the Lego Movie and the Lego Ninjago Movie.
The first movie took influence from stories like “Me Tie Dough-ty Walker,” “Harold,” and “the Red Spot.” Here’s hoping this time they include parts of stories like “May I Carry Your Basket?”, a story about a boy on his way home late at night, offering to carry a hand basket for a woman. There’s…there’s a head in the basket. But that’s not the big twist.
“Cold as Clay” would also be a great addition. A story about a dead farmhand that returns to visit his beloved. Or what about “Something Was Wrong”? A man finds himself in an unfamiliar town, no memory of how he got there. And each time he asks someone for help, they scream and run.
All told, horror fans and nostalgic book worms alike should be excited for the upcoming year and plans for the big screen.
Related Article: Review: ‘Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark’ Brings Childhood Nightmares to Life
