R.L. Stine is an important voice in the world of horror and has been for quite some time. Gateway horror is a key thing, and Goosebumps is at the top of the list in terms of great gateway horror. So, it tends to be exciting when a new adaptation of Stine’s work is coming our way, particularly in light of Netflix’s excellent Fear Street trilogy. Well, the author has shared our first look at the upcoming Zombie Town movie based on his 2012 book of the same name, and it’s something. Let’s have a look.
My new movie. In theaters in December. pic.twitter.com/0KbavSZSgt
— R.L. Stine (@RL_Stine) October 26, 2022
So yeah, as far as these things go, not a particularly impressive poster. This project was actually announced back in August, so it’s quite surprising to find that, per Stine’s account, it will be hitting theaters in December. Trimuse Entertainment, Toonz Media Group, Lookout Entertainment, and Viva Pictures are behind the film, with comedy legends Dan Aykroyd and Chevy Chase apparently reuniting for the affair. So, R.L. Stine, by way of Nothing But Trouble? For some additional context, the synopsis for the book reads as follows:
“This used to be such a nice, quiet town. But that was before all the zombies. When twelve-year-old Mike and his friend, Karen, go to see a horror movie called Zombie Town, the last thing they expect is for the title characters to come down off the screen and chase them through the theater. And it’s not popcorn these hungry creatures want to chomp on―it’s human brains! Now Mike and Karen frantically try to flee through the panicked streets of their hometown before shuffling bands of zombies turn every last citizen into a ravenous flesh-eater. But if Mike thinks he’ll be safe once he reaches his house and warns Mom and Dad, he’d better think again. When the zombies say it’s lunchtime, no home is safe!”
The original announcement described the film as a “family-friendly, action-packed adventure” that blends “teen romance, humor, and mystery while providing a new twist on traditional zombie movies.” Peter Lepeniotis (Nut Job) is in the director’s chair for this one, with Marlon Kazadi (Supergirl, Riverdale), Madi Monroe (Around the World in 80 Days), Scott Thompson (Kids in the Hall) and Bruce McCulloch (Kids in the Hall) rounding out the cast. John Gillespie, Trimuse Entertainment Founder and Executive Producer noted, had this to say about it:
“We are delighted to bring the pages of R.L. Stine’s Zombie Town to the screen and equally thrilled to be working with such an exceptional cast and crew on this production. A three-time Nickelodeon Kids Choice Award winner with over 400 million books sold, R.L. Stine has a phenomenal track record of crafting stories that engage and entertain audiences.”
Quite frankly, this looks pretty low-budget, but the prospect of reuniting Aykroyd and Chase in a lighthearted horror affair is, at the very least intriguing. Meanwhile, fans of the author’s work have that new Goosebumps series on Disney+ to look forward to.
Zombie Town arrives in December, which means we should be getting a trailer and specific release info shortly. Stay tuned.
