Sci-Fi Film and Television Developments

Goosebumps

1/13/12 - Darren Lemke is closing a deal to write Columbia Pictures’ big-screen adaptation of children’s horror series Goosebumps, according to The Hollywood Reporter.  Neal Moritz and his Sony-based Original Films shingle are producing, as is Scholastic Entertainment's Deborah Forte.  Columbia picked up the rights to the more than 50 books written by R.L. Stine in May 2008. The project has seen several writers on it, as the studio tries to crack the code for the story. Columbia is starting from page one with Lemke.

4/29/11 - Gotham Group has optioned the rights to Goosebumps author R.L. Stine’s new book "It's the First Day of School ... Forever" and will develop the title for adaptation into a family adventure movie, according to The Hollywood Reporter.  The book, due in stores in July, tells the story of 12-year-old Artie, whose second day at his new school is exactly like his first, which just happened to be the worst day of his life. The boy finds himself reliving the same horrible day and must find a way to change his nightmare.

9/16/10 - Carl Ellsworth will write the screenplay for a live-action feature adaptation of the R.L. Stine book series Goosebumps for Columbia, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Neal Moritz is producing through his Original Film banner with Deborah Forte of Scholastic Entertainment.  Scholastic publishes the hugely popular kids' horror books, which number in the dozens and have sold more than 300 million copies worldwide, second only to the "Harry Potter" series in total sales. Columbia picked up film rights to the series in May 2008 and is looking at a family-driven potential franchise.  The property has spawned video games, TV shows, additional book series and straight-to-video films, but this would be the first big-screen treatment.

8/18/08 - Larry Karaszewski and Scott Alexander are in negotiations to write the live-action big-screen adaptation of the children's horror series Goosebumps for Columbia Pictures, according to The Hollywood Reporter.  Neal Moritz and his Sony-based Original Film company is producing, as is Scholastic Entertainment's Deborah Forte.  The project will mark the first feature-film adaptation of the series and could become a franchise for Columbia, which acquired the rights in May.

05/15/08 - Columbia Pictures has acquired the rights from Scholastic Media to bring R.L. Stine's young-adult Goosebumps series to the big screen.  The studio is fast-tracking the project and is focusing on finding a writer. Moritz said they likely will cast unknown child actors and then pepper the film with well-known actors in supporting roles.

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