We’ve had many various sorts of creature features over the years, with everything from sharks to rats terrorizing people on screen for our collective entertainment. Director Craig Roberts (Eternal Beauty) is about to put his own, unique spin on the horror subgenre with the upcoming film The Scurry. Roberts will not be utilizing a classically terrifying beast. Rather, he will be focusing on a pack of deranged squirrels. Yes, you read that right.
According to Deadline, Roberts is directing from a script by Tim Telling, with production due to begin early next month in the U.K. The film also has a meaningful budget north of $12 million, meaning this isn’t some ultra-low-budget affair. The cast will be led by Rhys Ifans (Hannibal Rising), Olivia Cooke (House of Dragon), Paapa Essiedu (The Lazarus Project), Mia McKenna-Bruce (Vampire Academy) and Antonia Thomas (The Good Doctor). As for the story at hand? The synopsis reads as follows:
“[The Scurry] follows two pest controllers who are called to an eco-café in a country park to investigate what begins as a routine vermin problem but as nightfall approaches an avalanche of deranged squirrels descend, wreaking revenge and mayhem on the staff and visitors in the park. With many fatalities, the survivors take shelter in the café as a freak storm takes out the power and communications leaving them isolated and under attack. An eclectic mix of survivors include pest controllers, a sulky teenager, hypocritical vegans, and a drug dealer – there is only an outside chance of survival.”
Water & Power Productions, Cliff Edge Pictures and Circus Studios are behind the project, with True Brit Entertainment set to handle distribution in the U.K. James Swarbrick and Adrian Bate are on board as producers, with Tom Miller, Sam Myer, James Spring, James Scott Roberts, Kamas and on board as executive producers. Swarbrick had this to say about it:
“It’s great to be back in business with the legend that is Craig Roberts, from his visual flair and skill with the camera meant that the moment we read Tim’s incredible script there was only one man for the job. Craig brings a humour and wit to his work, which is ideally suited to a horrifying rodent apocalypse.”
“You may want to think twice about sitting in your garden or visiting your local park after seeing this movie,” Bate added. “Through Craig Roberts’ unique directorial prism and with our stellar cast, we’ll witness the forest sending in their fur clad foot soldiers to avenge their mistreatment. It’s time for nature to bite back.”
Roberts had a brief comment saying, “I’m really happy that somebody has employed me again.”
The Scurry does not currently have a release date.
