To any kid who grew up in the ’80s and ’90s, one of the scariest things you were likely ever exposed to was the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark series of books written by Alvin Schwartz and illustrated by Stephen Gammell. The three books in the series, first published between 1981 and 1991, featured a compilation of kid-appropriate spooky tales mostly based on urban legends and folklore, but what was truly terrifying about them were Gammell’s illustrations. The books had distinct, memorable, and above all else terrifying artwork, and we’re really hoping it’s somehow captured in the upcoming film adaptation from producer Guillermo del Toro. Thankfully, it looks like we won’t have to wait long to find out.
On Aug 21, del Toro — who co-wrote the film and was initially slated to direct before passing the torch to Trollhunter‘s André Øvredal — tweeted that the film was going to start filming in Toronto in “a few days.” So hypothetically, cameras are already rolling on what’s sure to be the creepiest kids horror flick of all time.
We start shooting in a few days- in Toronto! https://t.co/u8pCMfjAD1
— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) August 21, 2018
According to Variety, the film is about, “a group of young teens who must solve the mystery surrounding sudden and macabre deaths in their small town.” That description makes the film sound exactly like It, so we’re hoping that the film finds some ways to differentiate itself from the Stephen King story. One way to do that would be to gear the film to a younger audience, and another would be to make sure and incorporate as much of Gammell’s original imagery as possible.
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is expected to arrive in theaters sometime next year.
