The CW Picks Up Horror Anthology TWO SENTENCE HORROR STORIES

Vera Miao

While today saw a new trailer launched for the upcoming Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark anthology horror movie, now comes word on a small-screen horror anthology having found a home.

Courtesy of Deadline, The CW has picked up Two Sentence Horror Stories for an eight-episode run that will premiere August 8th.

Two Sentence Horror Stories began life as a short-form five-episode digital series in 2017, created by Best Friends Forever’s Vera Miao (pictured). Miao will serve as executive producer on The CW’s take on the property.

The official blurb on Two Sentence Horror Stories reads:

Inspired by the viral fan fiction of two sentence horror stories, this anthology series taps into universal primal fears, filtered through the anxieties of the most connected and racially diverse generation.

Despite dizzying advancements in technology, inequality, social progress and environmental degradation… the things that haunt us are all still the same.

Expect more on The CW’s Two Sentence Horror Stories as it continues to develop.

Gary Dauberman Departs ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK?

With the likes of It and The Nun to his name, many were encouraged to see Gary Dauberman attached to write and produce Paramount’s upcoming Are You Afraid of the Dark? movie. But now, Dauberman has departed the project.

Speaking to Slash Film, Dauberman explained, “No, that actually hasn’t shot yet. That’s one of those things I’m no longer a part of. I just had a different vision to make it and thought it best to part ways. It’s unfortunate but, as you said, that’s sometimes how it goes.”

Details on this new Are You Afraid of the Dark? have been sketchy since the feature was announced, but last year brought word that Disturbia and Eagle Eye’s D.J. Caruso was in talks to direct the film. Whether Caruso is still lined up for the movie, we’ll have to wait and see.

For those not familiar with Are You Afraid of the Dark?, the series was created by D.J. MacHale and Ned Kandel back in 1990, soon being picked up by Nickelodeon in 1991 and then aired across the globe from 1992. The general premise for the show saw the action focussed on a group of teenagers called the Midnight Society, who would meet each week at a secret, creepy woodland location to tell a terrifying (at least it was to our younger selves!) tale based around horror clichés, urban legends or twisted classics of yesteryear. When all was said and done, the series clocked in at an impressive 91 episodes over its seven seasons.

Previously, Are You Afraid of the Dark? was pegged for an October 2019 big-screen release, although that date is obviously not getting to be met.

Elsewhere, this February saw it reported that early plans are afoot for a new Are You Afraid of the Dark? TV series too.

It’s Official: Robert Pattinson is Batman!

Robert Pattinson Batman

Well, it’s now official: Robert Pattinson is the new Batman.

If you remember, earlier this month saw reports that the Twilight star was in advanced talks to sign on as the Caped Crusader in Matt Reeves’ The Batman, and now it’s finally official.

Courtesy of Variety, Pattinson has signed on the dotted line to play the World’s Greatest Detective, beating out competition from the likes of Nicholas Hoult and Armie Hammer. In fact, it’s believed that the casting process came down to Pattinson and Hoult, with the decision now made on who will tackle the cape ‘n’ cowl after Ben Affleck departed the role earlier this year.

Having just turned 33 years of age, Pattinson will be the youngest actor to play the Dark Knight on the silver screen. As for when things will get rolling, pre-production on The Batman is expected to commence this summer ahead of a June 2021 release.

Away from Twilight, Pattinson has impressed many with his turns in the like of The Lighthouse and High Life, and he’ll next be seen in Christopher Nolan’s The Tenant.

As for The Batman, the Planet of the Apes’ franchise’s Reeves is currently finalising his story and script for a film that is rumoured to feature Penguin and Catwoman as the two main villains. That said, certain other reports claim that the picture may actually feature up to six bad guys in various roles of prominence.

Expect more on The Batman as the film continues to develop.

Greg Nicotero’s CREEPSHOW Adds Three More Names

David Arquette

For us here at Moonbase Alpha, one of the upcoming genre offerings we’re most looking forward to right now is the return of Creepshow. And now, we have news on three new additions for the series.

Via The Hollywood Reporter, Scream’s David Arquette, Lucifer’s Tricia Helfer and Stan Against Evil’s Dana Gould have joined Creepshow.

This trio join a show that already has genre faves such as Adrienne Barbeau, Tobin Bell, Giancarlo Esposito, Paul Dini, Joe Hill and Tom Savini involved in some capacity, with the iconic Savini directing an episode based on Hill’s By the Silver Water of Lake Champlain.

Developed by the ever-brilliant Greg Nicotero, Creepshow is due to land on Shudder later this year. Each episode of this anthology series will be handled by a different director and tell its own individual story – much like the EC Comics-influenced 1982 Creepshow movie from George A. Romero.

As ever, expect more on Creepshow’s return as we get it.

Marc Webb in Talks to Direct Live-Action SNOW WHITE

Snow White

With Disney’s live-action Aladdin now in cinemas, not to mention a live-action Lion King on the horizon, now comes an update on Disney’s new take on Snow White.

Courtesy of Variety, The Amazing Spider-Man’s Marc Webb is in talks to direct the upcoming live-action version of Snow White. Similarly, The Girl on the Train’s Erin Cressida Wilson is in negotiations to pen the picture.

Snow White, of course, is based on the classic fairytale from the Brothers Grimm. Most famously, the tale was adapted in 1937 as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. In more recent years, 2012 served up the so-so Snow White and the Huntsman and Mirror Mirror.

As ever, expect more on this live-action Snow White as it continues to develop.

Hellbound’s SLAUGHTERHOUSE Z Launches on Kickstarter

Slaughterhouse Z

Over the last several years, Hellbound Media has put out some of the most fascinating, fun and diverse horror content in the world of comics. And now, Hellbound’s latest project has launched on Kickstarter.

In recent years, Hellbound has offered up titles such as the heart-warming Mandy the Monster Hunter, the brutal ‘n’ bonkers Slaughterhouse Farm, the sci-fi terror of The Disease, and the stylish anthology series Shock Value. Up next for Hellbound Media is Slaughterhouse Z.

To pick up the action with Slaughterhouse Farm’s nefarious Pigfucker, the official word on Slaughterhouse Z reads:

When a secret genetic experiment combining the DNA from a hulking serial killer, with a brutal breed of pig, to terrifying hybrid monster. “Porker X”, the terrifying results of merging serial killer DNA with a pig, makes his great escape from the secret lab where he was created and, alongside his prototype hybrids, wastes no time in carving a swathe of carnage throughout the Welsh countryside. It gets worse. The dead are rising, hungry for flesh, and Porker X leads this Army of the Porcine Dead in their unstoppable slaughter!

Caught up in the terror are brides-to-be Roxy and Serenity, enjoying a bit of seclusion, sex, and steampunk erotica, on the night before their big day. However, when Porker X turns his undead eye on their cabin, these two will have to fight for their lives. Can they survive or will it be a Wedding Day of the Dead?

Written by Slaughterhouse Farm’s Matt Warner and AJ Ballard, with Paul Johnson (Razor Bastard) on art duties and Hellbound fave Nikki Robot on lettering, the three-issue Slaughterhouse Z is now funding on Kickstarter – with some pretty cool perks and swag on offer to backers.

If Slaughterhouse Z is anywhere near as gore-filled, grotesque and, well, great as Slaughter House Farm, we should be in for an absolute treat.

Tony Todd WILL Appear in Jordan Peele’s CANDYMAN Reboot

Candyman

Previously, it was believed that Candyman star Tony Todd would not be a part of the Jordan Peele-produced Candyman reboot that’s on the way. But now, well now it seems as if things have changed on that front.

Speaking at New York’s Nickel City Con – as first reported by CinemaBlend – Todd confirmed that he is indeed going to have a role to play in the upcoming new Candyman offering. Even better, his fleeting appearances in the film have been described as “applause-worthy moments”.

As Todd himself explained, “Out of the blue, I got a phone call from Jordan Peele. We’re still waiting for the contract, but the way he explained it to me was that it’s gonna be applause-worthy moments. That’s his words. No matter what happens with that, it’s gonna just put renewed attention on the original.”

In terms of other information that we know about this new Candyman picture, Aquaman’s Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Get Out’s Lakeith Stanfield have been in talks for roles in the movie. Speculation has Stanfield lined up for a role similar to Virginia Madsen’s Helen Lyle in the original Candyman film; in that murders begin to happen around the character as he continues to delve into the urban legend of the Candyman. As for Abdul-Mateen II, one rumour is that he’s pencilled in to play a new Candyman of sorts.

Candyman itself actually began life as a short story in Clive Barker’s Books of Blood. Originally titled The Forbidden, the story was famously adapted as a 1992 Tony Todd and Virginia Madsen-starring movie from Bernard Rose. Plot-wise, the movie version took place in the semi-demolished Cabrini-Green housing development in Chicago. Todd’s Candyman was an artist and the son of a slave, murdered by bees by his lover’s father after first having his hand lopped off.

From there, the urban legend of the Candyman is that if you say his name five times while looking in the mirror, he’ll appear behind you – and likely slice you up good ‘n’ proper. Sequels followed with 1995’s Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh and 1999’s Candyman: Day of the Dead, and despite mild rumblings over the decades, the franchise has remained dead since that ’99 effort.

For this new Candyman, the film will return to the area that once housed the Cabrini-Green housing projects. This time out, we find a new group of poor souls wishing to explore the legend of the infamous Candyman. Which we all know, will likely not end well for the majority of those involved.

To be directed by Little Woods’ Nia DaCosta from a screenplay penned by Jordan Peele and Win Rosenfeld, Candyman is booked in for a June 12th, 2020 release.

Arnold Schwarzenegger to Star in STAN LEE’S SUPERHERO KINDERGARTEN

Stan Lee's Superhero Kindergarten

While many of us are still reeling from the sad passing of the legendary Stan Lee last November, now comes an update on The Man’s final project.

Via Deadline, POW! Entertainment and Genius Brands International are bringing Stan’s Superhero Kindergarten to life as an animated series. And not only that, but Arnold Schwarzenegger will star in the show.

The official blurb on Superhero Kindergarten reads:

Many years ago, Arnold Armstrong (Schwarzenegger) was just an average gym teacher who acquired incredible superpowers when the earth passed through the iconic dust left in the wake of a mysterious comet. As a result, Arnold transformed into Captain Courage, one of the earth’s greatest protectors… now, Arnold must serve humanity once again by working ‘undercover’ as a brand-new kindergarten teacher whose main task is to train this unique new generation of super-powered 5-year-olds secretly.

On this news, Das Arnold enthused, “It is an honour and privilege to work with Genius Brands and POW! Entertainment on this new series and help carry on Stan’s creative legacy by introducing this new group of superheroes to preschool children around the world. Not only does Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten feature comedy and action, but there are many valuable lessons to be learned along the way. Of particularly pride to me is the fact that I am not only teaching kids to use their superpowers, but I am also imparting valuable lessons to kids worldwide about the importance of health, exercise and nutrition.”

POW!’s Gil Champion added, “Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten was near and dear to his heart, working with one of his longtime collaborators Andy Hayward, as well as Arnold, and we look forward to continuing the partnership with Genius Brands to bring Stan’s vision for this new adventure series to life.”

Deadpool co-creator Fabian Nicieza will be penning Superhero Kindergarten, with it confirmed that an animated image of the iconic Stan Lee will appear in each and every episode.

Expect more on Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten as it continues to develop.

Tom King and Ava DuVernay to Pen THE NEW GODS

DC New Gods

With The New Gods being one of the multitude of DC-driven movies currently in various stages of development over at Warner Brothers, now comes word on who’ll be penning that particular picture.

Courtesy of The Wrap, it’s being reported that Tom King and Ava DuVernay are the duo tasked with writing The New Gods. King is an Eisner Award winner who’s most recently be seen writing some hugely impressive Batman tales, whilst DuVernay is an Oscar-nommed filmmaker best known for efforts such as Selma and A Wrinkle in Time. So yeah, quite the impressive pairing, for sure.

DuVernay has long been attached to also direct The New Gods, and the addition of Tom King on co-writing duties is a smart decision given how he made such a mark with his New Gods-centric Mister Miracle comic book series.

For those not familiar with the New Gods, the legendary Jack Kirby created those otherworldly sorts back in 1971. The general crux of the New Gods title revolves around New Genesis and Apokolips. These twin planets were formerly joined together as Urgrund, but a cataclysmic split saw two very different worlds created. Initially, New Genesis was full of fresh forests, rivers, and stunning territory. Then there was Apokolips, a horrendous, polluted planet ruled by the nefarious Darkseid. A trade of sons between leaders Highfather and Darkseid led to an initial peace treaty of sorts between the pair, but, as ever in comics, trouble was around the corner. Being the no-good megalomaniac that he was and still is, Darkseid eventually got fed up of all this peace and so got to work on his Anti-Life Equation. What’s that, you say? Why, it’s a weapon that could destroy the entire universe.

Given the current uncertainly of the DC Extended Universe, right now it’s not known for sure whether The New Gods will exist within the confines of the DCEU. That said, Justice League’s use of Steppenwolf and the Motherboxes are all tied to the realms of the New Gods, so who knows.

At this early juncture, The New Gods has yet to be given an official release date, but expect more on the movie as we get it.

Bryan Fuller Still Hoping for a HANNIBAL Return

Hannibal

For nearly four years now, we’ve had our fingers, toes and other crossable body parts crossed in the hope that somehow Hannibal will make its way back to our screens. And now, that hope has been extended a little more.

Responding to a fan on Twitter, showrunner Bryan Fuller has explained how he’s still looking to bring Hannibal back to life.

If you remember back, NBC cancelled Hannibal in 2015 after a stunning three-season run. The decision caught many off-guard, for this was a series that was one of the most beautiful and chilling genre shows ever seen.

So, is Hannibal returning? Sadly, no it isn’t. At least not yet. But nonetheless, it’s still encouraging that Bryan Fuller hasn’t given up hope of reviving the sinister antics of Mads Mikkelsen’s Dr. Lecter.

As ever, expect more on all of this if and when it develops further. In the meantime, we’ll get back to keeping those crossable body parts crossed.