Nineties kids rejoice as Goosebumps, R.L. Stine‘s iconic kids’ horror novel series that scared a whole generation of us out of sleeping with the lights off, is returning to television. The hugely popular series previously spawned a live-action TV show back in the day, which hit #1 for five consecutive seasons and was a must-watch after school (when it was still bright out). Two modern movie reboots have followed, 2015’s Goosebumps, starring Jack Black as Stine, and underrated follow-up Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween. For those worried that movie’s cliffhanger ending would be left at just that, fear not, because there’s more spine-tingling stuff on the way.
Deadline reports a brand-new live action series based on Stine’s bestselling novels is currently in the works via Scholastic Entertainment and Neal H. Moritz, who produced the two spin-off movies and will exec-produce here, too, alongside Sony Pictures TV.
“Goosebumps has been keeping kids and families on the edge of their seats for nearly 30 years and we’re very excited to partner with Sony Pictures Television and Neal H. Moritz to bring the enduring brand to life in a fresh new way for today’s generation,” said Iole Lucchese., Scholastic Entertainment President and Chief Strategy Officer.
Lucchese continued, “From the world-famous book series to a full-scale licensing program and even live-action movies starring Jack Black, Goosebumps remains wildly popular and we look forward to presenting new adventures to give fans even more Goosebumps.”
It’s good to know they’re keeping it in the family, since Goosebumps is published by Scholastic (Scholastic Entertainment is the company’s media division). The series is one of the biggest sellers of all time, even beating Stephen King (as Stine’s character hilariously tells a couple of disbelieving teens in the first Goosebumps movie). International editions have been translated into 32 languages. The original TV series, an anthology of sorts often compared to its darker Canadian counterpart, Are You Afraid of the Dark?, was a massive hit while the two spin-off movies grossed more than $250 million at the combined box office.
Clearly, there’s a demand for more Goosebumps product and Mortiz, for one, can’t wait to bring the series back to TV.
“I loved making the Goosebumps movies and can’t wait to bring even more of R. L. Stine’s incredible stories to life through a high-end television series that speaks to both adults and kids alike,” he enthused.
Both Goosebumps and Haunted Halloween straddled a very fine line between sarky, adult humour and childlike supernatural shenanigans, bolstered by Black’s peerless performance as Stine. If he’s involved in the TV show, it’ll be even more of a reason to tune in but suffice to say, anybody who was a fan of the show’s previous incarnation will know this is a must-watch. Sadly, I doubt the dog whose eyes went spooky green at the end of the opening credits is still alive to reclaim the role once again. But we can dream for something even goofier this time around.
Stay tuned to Wicked Horror for more Goosebumps info as it becomes available.
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