Would you like to see a horror movie based on a book by the guy who wrote First Blood, the movie that inspired the Rambo franchise? Well, as it turns out, that very thing is happening. As reported by Deadline, Lionsgate has partnered with the folks at Suretone Pictures to co-finance Creepers, which will serve as an adaptation of David Morrell’s novel of the same name. What’s more, the companies are wasting no time as production is set to get underway on July 25.
Marc Klasfeld is set to make his feature directorial debut with the film, Klasfeld has primarily directed music videos up to this point in his career. Klasfeld also helped work on the screenplay with several other writers over the last four years. Casting is currently underway ahead of the planned production start in Bulgaria. So what are audiences going to be in for? Here is the synopsis for the novel:
“On a cold October night, five people gather in a run-down hotel on the Jersey shore and prepare to break into the Paragon Hotel. The once-magnificent structure is now boarded up and marked for demolition. They are ‘creepers’: urban explorers with a passion for investigating abandoned buildings and their dying secrets. Reporter Frank Balenger joins them to profile this highly illegal activity for the New York Times. But he isn’t looking for just another story, and soon after they enter the rat-infested tunnel leading to the hotel, he gets more than he bargained for. Danger, fear, and death await the creepers in a place ravaged by time and redolent of evil. The darkest secrets live in places you’re not supposed to be.”
Klasfeld, meanwhile, had this to say about his forthcoming feature directorial debut:
“I have waited decades to find the right feature film project to which I could truly dedicate myself. The passion I have found to make Creepers all it can be is extraordinary, and I honestly can’t wait for the world to see what we have in store.”
Jordan Schur, chairman and CEO of Suretone Pictures, had this to add:
“I am pleased to partner on this special film with Lionsgate. After a decade in development, we have arrived at our destination with a powerful script adapted from a timeless book and a gifted director leading the charge. We could not ask for a better partner in Lionsgate who share our passion and excitement to bring the world this amazing roller-coaster of a story.”
This one seems to have a lot going for it. The premise has a lot to mine, and the book has earned a great deal of praise. Not to mention that Morrell previously created one of the most enduring franchises in cinema history. Maybe this can start a similarly rich contribution to the horror genre. I mean, heck, if this results in a horror film half as good as First Blood, we should be in for a treat.
Creepers does not yet have a release date set.
