Movies
‘Paranormal Activity’ – The Found Footage Horror Franchise is Getting a Stage Play
Found footage horror evolves in an unexpected way: the Paramount horror movie series Paranormal Activity has a stage play in the works.
THR reports that “Simon Friend, the veteran producer who brought Life of Pi to Broadway, has picked up the license to the Paramount horror movie series with the intent of bringing it to the West End via his Simon Friend Entertainment.”
The stage play adaptation of Paranormal Activity is in early development and set to be penned by Levi Holloway, who previously wrote Grey House.
The 2007 found footage film that started it all, Paranormal Activity, was written and directed by Oren Peli. The microbudget feature, made on very little money, wound up grossing $193.4 million globally and successfully launched a franchise still going strong with Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin, most recently released in 2021 on Paramount+. The movies have grossed almost $900 million theatrically, THR reports.
In the initial entry: “Soon after moving into a suburban tract home, Katie (Katie Featherston) and Micah (Micah Sloat) become increasingly disturbed by what appears to be a supernatural presence. Hoping to capture evidence of it on film, they set up video cameras in the house but are not prepared for the terrifying events that follow.
The franchise runs seven films deep so far and an additional non-canon spinoff, Paranormal Activity 2: Tokyo Night. All include variations of a home under siege from a demonic presence, utilizing the found footage format. So, while there are no plot details on the stage play adaptation, it’s safe to assume that the demons will be involved.
Friend is no stranger to adapting films to stage plays, having adaptations on “both on Broadway and the West End, with The Da Vinci Code and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel among the better-known titles.” Friend’s adaptation of Life of Pi on Broadway has amassed five Olivier Awards and three Tony Awards.
While it remains to be seen how found footage will translate to a West End production, we have an upcoming stage musical adaptation of horror-comedy Teeth arriving early next year to stave off the wait.
Robert Eggers (The Witch, Nosferatu) is back later this year with new horror movie Werwulf, and the very first teaser image from the hotly anticipated movie has surfaced tonight.
Oddly enough, this first look comes courtesy of the NBC Store, and it gives us a glimpse at a chilly Winter landscape from the film. Is there a werewolf hiding in the photo? Maybe…
Set in 13th century England, Werwulf sees a mysterious creature stalk the land as local folklore becomes a terrifying reality. The film hits theaters on December 25 via Focus Features.
Robert Eggers recently teased, “It’s the darkest thing I’ve ever written. By far.”
Eggers directs from a script he penned with his The Northman co-writer Sjón.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Nosferatu), Lily-Rose Depp (Nosferatu), Willem Dafoe (The Lighthouse), Ralph Ineson (The Witch), and Bodhi Rae Breathnach (Hamnet) star.
Robert Eggers and Sjón produce alongside Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner for Working Title. Maiden Voyage’s Chris Columbus and Eleanor Columbus are executive producing.
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