Earlier this year, we learned that Christopher Columbus would be directing Blumhouse’s feature film adaptation of Scott Cawthon’s popular video game Five Nights at Freddy’s, and Cawthon had announced back in August that the first draft of the film’s script had been completed. But in an update today, he reveals that the script has been tossed out.
Relayed by Polygon, Cawthon talked the future of all things Five Nights at Freddy’s on Steam earlier today, announcing that the film has been delayed for the time being.
“I had a script written,” Cawthon said. “Jason [Blum] liked it, and Chris Columbus liked it too, but I tossed it. I had a different idea for it, one that I liked better. I take responsibility for this delay; it’s my fault. [I’m] determined to find the right story.”
“I’m sticking to what I’ve always said… either the right movie gets made or no movie gets made,” Cawthon added. “I hate delaying a project that’s already seen so many delays, but I have to go with my instincts on what I think will be exciting and interesting, and what I think the fanbase will really want to see. If that means that I have to start over ten more times, then that’s what I’m going to do. The good thing is that each attempt gets better and better, in my opinion. So, despite the delays, it’s going in the right direction.”
The site notes that Cawthon is “focusing on the story told during the first three Five Nights at Freddy’s games for his movie script.”
As far as the video game franchise is concerned, there are VR and AR games in the works, as well as a big budget AAA game based on the series that’s in early development.
“There is a BIG deal in the works to create an incredible big-budget game!” Cawthon said. “I can’t reveal any details yet as this project is still in its planning stages, but I’m working closely with the studio involved to ensure that it delivers what (I think) FNAF fans will want to see!”
