The Boogeyman: theatrical film (2023)

[mae]

https://deadline.com/2018/06/stephen-king-the-boogeyman-a-quiet-place-writers-scott-beck-bryan-woods-fox-21-laps-1202417036/

Twentieth Century Fox is finalizing a deal for The Boogeyman, a pitch package for a horror film that teams an iconic Stephen King short story with Scott Beck & Bryan Woods, the scribes behind the genre hit A Quiet Place. 21 Laps’ Shawn Levy Dan Levine and Dan Cohen are producing.

King’s short story was first published in 1973 and later released as part of his 1978 Night Shift collection. The Boogeyman follows a man who recently lost all his children to a creature lurking in the closet. It becomes the latest King fiction to get an option for film or TV treatment, a pace accelerated after the out-sized success of It.

The Boogeyman has been a favorite of short filmmakers; it has been adapted into shorts seven times, in what King calls “dollar baby deals,” non-commercial and non-exclusive rights options that allow emerging filmmakers access to material they could never afford if they were paying retail. The Fox and 21 Laps deal will be the first studio feature adaptation for the short story.

It’s not a surprise that King would spark to Beck & Woods. King called A Quiet Place “an extraordinary piece of work” in a Tweet. The scribes shared scripting credit with director and star John Krasinski on a genre film that was a critical and financial hit, grossing over $325M worldwide on a $17M budget. A sequel is in the works at Paramount.

Beck & Woods separately wrote and directed Haunt, which is currently in post-production. They will be executive producers of The Boogeyman with Madhouse Entertainment’s Robyn Meisinger, Adam Kolbrenner and Ryan Cunningham. JR Young will oversee for the studio.

This marks another high profile genre project for 21 Laps, which is in production on the third season of the Netflix hit Stranger Things. Their Fox sci-fi film The Darkest Minds and Lionsgate thriller Kin will be released this summer.

King is repped by Paradigm and Gang, Tyre; Beck & Woods are repped by ICM Partners, Madhouse & Manatt, Phelps, & Phillips; 21 Laps is repped by WME & Ziffren/Brittenham and Madhouse is Myman, Greenspan.

[CyberGhostface]

Wonder if this will be as dark as the short story.

[NoAttitudeThisTime]

It would probably be better suited for an episode of an anthology. There are already several feature films with the same title and some out there would be confused

[St. Troy]

Less confusing if they (inevitably?) bill it as Stephen King's The Boogeyman.

[NoAttitudeThisTime]

Less confusing if they (inevitably?) bill it as Stephen King's The Boogeyman.

They probably have to :D

[mae]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0x449O_WaI

[firemonkey66]

It would probably be better suited for an episode of an anthology. There are already several feature films with the same title and some out there would be confused

I think this would make a great episode of Black Mirror. That way they could keep it true to the short story, and not turn the dad into a hero, which they'll probably end up doing in a full length movie.

[NoAttitudeThisTime]

It would probably be better suited for an episode of an anthology. There are already several feature films with the same title and some out there would be confused

I think this would make a great episode of Black Mirror. That way they could keep it true to the short story, and not turn the dad into a hero, which they'll probably end up doing in a full length movie.

Exactly. There are some short stories that just wouldn't work as a feature film, but we'll see. Let's just hope they don't do a Children of the Corn on us with a happy, crappy ending.

[Girlystevedave]

As much as I would love to see this adapted into a film, I have a hard time seeing it stretched into a full-length movie.

[mae]

https://thedisinsider.com/2019/09/14/stephen-kings-the-boogeyman-is-still-on-at-disney/

Thanks to Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox earlier this year the studio can develop films that are outside of their family-friendly library. Sadly, Disney has reportedly cut some projects, including Flash Gordon, Mega Man, and Magic: The Gathering, amongst others.

One project that Disney hasn’t cut as of yet is Stephen King’s The Boogeyman. MovieWeb recently spoke with A Quiet Place writers Scott Beck and Bryan Woods who are attached to the project and shared an update with the outlet.

"We’re writing that to direct for 20th Century Fox, and it’s one of the few projects that we’ve been fortunate has made it through the merger with Disney so far. Fingers crossed. That could change at any day, but it’s still there for now. It’s a short story that we had always kept in our back pocket, and we thought it was horrifying. It was one of our favorites from the Night Shift collection and what we loved about it, kind of speaking to our love of original cinema is even though it builds upon a wonderful story by Stephen King, it is a short story, so there’s a huge sandbox that allows Bryan and I to kind of create a whole new story from the beginning of this 12-page short. So we’re excited to explore some similar territory to what A Quiet Place was. Meaning, it’s a horrifying story about the boogeyman, but also deals with the family grappling with very substantive issues throughout the course of the story."

What’s interesting about these comments, is that The Boogeyman is still apart of Disney’s plans with Fox, as the film appeared on that list of 20th Century Fox films that were reportedly axed by Disney. Which means either Disney changed their mind on the project after seeing the box office success of Stephen King’s Pet Sematary and IT remakes, of that list was just bogus in the first place.

The Boogeyman is a short story that was originally published in 1973 and was included in Stephen King’s beloved collection of shorts, Night Shift. The story centers on a man recounting the murders of his children in a psychiatrist’s office. The common thread? They were all crying “Boogeyman” just before they died. The story is short and simple, which leaves a lot of room to play with in adapting it for the big screen.

[St. Troy]

https://thedisinsider.com/2019/09/14/stephen-kings-the-boogeyman-is-still-on-at-disney/

The story is short and simple, which leaves a lot of room to play with in adapting it for the big screen.

This is what concerns me, all the padding they might add to it. Left as it is, it should be brilliant on screen.

[CyberGhostface]

20th/Hulu are moving forward with The Boogeyman, a two-hour film based on the Stephen King short story. Production will be this winter/spring in New Orleans. Rob Savage (Host and Dashcam) is set to direct. 21 Laps’ Shawn Levy, Dan Levine & Dan Cohen are producing.

Mark Heyman (Black Swan) has been writing the script which Scott Beck & Bryan Woods (A Quiet Place) and Akela Cooper (Malignant) wrote the original drafts. It was originally developed by 21 Laps as a Fox film and now will find new life through Hulu. They’ll begin prep and casting quickly to start early next year. Beck & Woods are exec producers.

https://deadline.com/2021/11/stephen-king-the-boogeyman-movie-hulu-20th-rob-savage-directs-21-laps-producing-1234865680/

[Bev Vincent]

Sophie Thatcher, who is coming off her breakout role in the hit Showtime series Yellowjackets, and Chris Messina are set to star in the 20th Century Studios adaptation of the Stephen King short story The Boogeyman with 21 Laps producing. The film will debut on Hulu with Rob Savage set to direct. 21 Laps’ Shawn Levy, Dan Levine & Dan Cohen are producing. Production is expected to start later next month.

[CyberGhostface]

The summary for the film makes it look like another in name only adaptation.

Thatcher was great in Yellowjackets though.

[Brian861]

The summary for the film makes it look like another in name only adaptation.

Thatcher was great in Yellowjackets though.

Agreed about Thatcher.

[Iwritecode]

The summary for the film makes it look like another in name only adaptation.

To be fair though, it's a 12 page short story. That's like one scene in a 1.5 - 2 hour movie.

[Bev Vincent]

The summary for the film makes it look like another in name only adaptation.

To be fair though, it's a 12 page short story. That's like one scene in a 1.5 - 2 hour movie.

They got 10 hours out of Jerusalem's Lot in Chapelwaite!

[CyberGhostface]

There are Dollar Baby adaptations that range from half an hour to 45 minutes. You could probably make a 90 minute movie that's faithful enough. Maybe have the first act be new material like having the father growing up and thinking the Boogeyman is in his closet and then follow the events of the short story.

[herbertwest]

There are Dollar Baby adaptations that range from half an hour to 45 minutes. You could probably make a 90 minute movie that's faithful enough. Maybe have the first act be new material like having the father growing up and thinking the Boogeyman is in his closet and then follow the events of the short story.

There is even a short feature film length dollar baby : Everything's Eventual (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1409829/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1) (1h18)

[Bev Vincent]

David Dastmalchian (Dune, The Suicide Squad), Marin Ireland (Y: The Last Man, The Umbrella Academy), Vivien Lyra Blair (Bird Box, Mr. Corman) and Madison Hu (Voyagers) have signed on to star alongside Chris Messina and Sophie Thatcher in 20th Century Studios horror-thriller The Boogeyman, based on Stephen King’s 1973 short story of the same name, which has entered production in New Orleans, and will debut in 2023 on Hulu in the U.S., on Star+ in Latin America, and on Disney+ under the Star banner in all other territories.

The film from director Rob Savage (Dashcam, Host) follows a 16-year-old and her younger sister, still reeling from the death of their mother, as they’re targeted by a supernatural boogeyman, after their psychologist father has an encounter with a desperate patient in their house.

>>> Source (https://deadline.com/2022/02/the-boogeyman-david-dastmalchian-marin-ireland-more-join-stephen-king-film-1234957566/)

[herbertwest]

‘The Boogeyman’ – Stephen King Adaptation Rated “PG-13” for “Terror” and “Violent Content”
> https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3740616/the-boogeyman-stephen-king-adaptation-rated-pg-13-for-terror-and-violent-content/

[Bev Vincent]

Up next from Host director Rob Savage is the Stephen King horror adaptation The Boogeyman for Hulu and 20th Century Studios, which has just received its official MPA rating.

The Boogeyman is Rated “PG-13” for…

“Terror, violent content, teen drug use, and some strong language.”

[CyberGhostface]

The Boogeyman, the adaptation of a Stephen King short story by Disney arm 20th Century Studios, is getting a theatrical release after initially being made for the company’s streaming service, Hulu.

The move occurs after the movie, directed by Rob Savage and produced by 21 Laps, the banner behind Stranger Things, had a surprisingly muscular test screening in December that made studio executives and producers reconsider their release strategy. (They also showed the movie to King, along with the new plans, who gave it a thumbs up.)

The horror thriller will now open in theatres on June 2, 2023.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/stephen-kings-boogeyman-movie-release-date-2023-1235304742/

[CyberGhostface]

From King’s twitter:


Looking forward to seeing the trailer for THE BOOGEYMAN, based on my story. I'm told it will run during the NFC championship game this coming Sunday.

https://twitter.com/StephenKing/status/1617878001131335686?s=20&t=24BKLuWdByEoG-yP7BiOug

[St. Troy]

Neat.

[Bev Vincent]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FnqABn5XwAAkhI_.jpg

[Bev Vincent]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsudEHsuvIg

[herbertwest]

The boogeyman new trailer... and creepy poster !

https://i0.wp.com/bloody-disgusting.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/BOOGEYMAN_1SHT_DIGITAL_sRGB_Teaser_02_V7-scaled.jpg?resize=1036%2C1536&ssl=1

https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3758538/the-boogeyman-official-trailer-2-monsters-are-real-in-latest-stephen-king-horror-movie/

[mae]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFqCmIU0-_M

[herbertwest]

I couldnt find the thread, thanks !

[mae]

https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/the-boogeyman-has-screened-heres-what-people-are-saying-about-the-new-stephen-king-movie

There are a ton of upcoming Stephen King movies, TV shows and miniseries on the way, but the next one creeping our way is The Boogeyman, about which we know quite a few things. Ahead of the latest adaptation hitting theaters this summer, the movie found its first audiences at CinemaCon in Las Vegas on Wednesday, and the early buzz sounds like good news for horror fans.

First off, CinemaBlend’s Eric Eisenberg, who is also our site’s Stephen King expert, was among the audience and shared his reaction, via Twitter. Here’s what he thought about The Boogeyman:

Got to see The Boogeyman at #CinemaCon2023, and I am a very happy Stephen King fan right now. Like the short story, it's a simple horror tale, but an effective and freaky one that delivers some great monster-centric scares. Definitely a "see it with a crowd" experience. pic.twitter.com/swUiGIr40IApril 26, 2023

The Boogeyman is based on a 1973 short story from Stephen King of the same name about two sisters and their father who are dealing with the recent death of their mother/his wife when an entity begins haunting their home. As Eisenberg shared in his first reaction, the movie is also a “simple horror tale” but also one that is super effective as a horror movie, between some “monster-centric scares” and its “see it with a crowd” appeal. Check out this reaction coming out of CinemaCon:

I can talk about The Boogeyman now! Easy recommendation for horror fans. Dark intro. It has big jump scares that kill with big sound and big crowd. It's very well shot and creepy as hell but I don't love some of the plot-forced conveniences. The cast is AMAZING. #CinemaCon pic.twitter.com/MW5wQFkrsZApril 26, 2023

Another journalist was happy to report there are tons of great scares for fans of the spooky genre to appreciate, especially when enjoying it in a big theater with an audience. Rob Keyes also said it's “very well shot” and “creepy as hell,” but did knock it a bit for some plot choices. The Boogeyman was initially going to go straight to Hulu, but has since moved to theaters thanks to the movie playing “through the roof” in test screenings. That certainly seems to check out given the first reactions.

Sophie Thatcher is incredible in #TheBoogeyman. She grounds the movie with her grief and fear.The movie is a slow-burn sort of horror movie, but with plenty of big scares. It’ll definitely make you afraid of the dark. Enjoyed this a lot. #CinemaCon pic.twitter.com/0SrX5ZvIQRApril 26, 2023

Sophie Thatcher in particular is getting a lot of early praise for her role as high school student Sadie Harper, who is the eldest child in the family dealing with the rough loss. Thatcher has found herself a few high-profile roles in the past few years between her role in 2019’s The Tomorrow War, the critically-acclaimed series Yellowjackets and her 2022 guest role on The Book of Boba Fett. The Boogeyman will mark her first leading role in a major studio film. It sounds like she killed it!

Saw #TheBoogeyman at #CinemaCon today and it freaking rules. Beautifully shot, super creepy, & excellent lead performances by Sophie Thatcher & Lil Leia herself, Vivien Lyra Blair.Most surprisingly though is the action! There's some amazing horror action in it. Out June 2. pic.twitter.com/v2Ec8NYlTWApril 26, 2023

There’s also quite a bit of love for Vivien Lyra Blair as well who you might have seen in the 2018 Netflix hit Bird Box and as a young Leia Organa in Obi-Wan Kenobi. Also among the cast is Chris Messina as their father, along with Marin Ireland, Madison Hu, LisaGay Hamilton and David Dastmalchian, the latter of whom previously told CinemaBlend The Boogeyman is “one of the scariest movies” he’d seen in a long time.

#TheBoogeyman is an efficient effective horror movie. You may have a sense of deja vu of other horror movies but it manages to work due to good direction, sound & atmosphere. Last 20 minutes are sweaty palms edge of your seat thriller @CinemaCon #Disney100 pic.twitter.com/7pGNK65UUGApril 26, 2023

The upcoming horror movie is set to hit theaters on June 2. As we wait for its release to have us on the edge of our seats, you can check out The Boogeyman trailer.

[mae]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEacNPsPOaM

[mae]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNQ9GgKKu6M

[SystemCrashOverRide]

I'm playing catch-up and only just found out about it today - and it comes out today! A bit impromptu, but I think I may go out tonight to see it!

Has anyone seen it yet? Early screening or maybe a matinee earlier today?

[Ari_Racing]

I saw it two weeks ago. Considering it's a horror film for PG13 I liked it. :)

[Tommy]

I liked it.

[Ari_Racing]

Via @bdisgusting
In the wake of scaring up $66 million worldwide earlier this year, the 20th Century Studios horror movie The Boogeyman will arrive exclusively on Digital August 29 (including Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango/Vudu) and on Blu-ray™ and DVD October 10, 2023.

Bonus Features include:

* Into the Darkness Featurette – Open the door into the dark world of The Boogeyman as the cast and crew share how the terrifying tale, based on Stephen King’s classic short story, was crafted.

* Outtakes – It’s not all just jump scares and bumps in the night. Join the cast for some lighthearted fun in the outtakes.

In this horror-thriller from the mind of Stephen King, two sisters — along with their therapist father — are reeling from their mother’s death. When a desperate patient comes to their home, he leaves behind a terrifying entity that feeds on its victims’ suffering.
Sophie Thatcher (“Yellowjackets”) and Chris Messina (Birds of Prey) star alongside David Dastmalchian (Dune, The Suicide Squad), Marin Ireland (Y: The Last Man, The Umbrella Academy), Vivien Lyra Blair (Bird Box, Mr. Corman) and Madison Hu (Voyagers).
Scott Beck & Bryan Woods (A Quiet Place) and Akela Cooper (Malignant) wrote the original drafts of the script, with Mark Heyman (Black Swan) being brought on board as well.

21 Laps’ Shawn Levy, Dan Levine & Dan Cohen produced the 2023 movie.

https://i0.wp.com/bloody-disgusting.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheBoogeyman_Beauty_Shot_StaticBB_BD_DVD_Digital_U S.png?resize=768%2C956&ssl=1