Coming on top of a multi-buyer bidding war, horror-centric banner Blumhouse has scored the rights to adapt the popular Something Is Killing the Children comic from Boom! Studios. The title, from James Tynion IV and Werther Dell’Edera, debuted in 2019 and has previously been in development as a live-action series. Blumhouse reportedly plans on adapting the comic for both the small- and big-screen, developing them simultaneously as a live-action feature and an adult animated series.
Jason Blum will produce the live-action feature for Blumhouse with the company’s Shaun Sutton and Ryan Turek serving as executive producers. Stephen Christy and Tynion will produce the film for Boom! Studios and Penguin Random House. Adam Yoelin and Mette Norkjaer will also executive produce. Co-creator Dell’Edera will act as co-producer.
Something Is Killing the Children explores a world in which monsters are seen by children while remaining invisible to adults. The comic’s first story arc told of a town plagued by monsters that feast on children, with one teen survivor telling tales that no adult believes. Enter into this setting a mysterious young woman named Erica Slaughter. The woman, who occasionally converses with her stuffed animal, isn’t there to mince words, but rather to mince monsters and save the town’s kids.
“It’s easy to see why audiences and critics alike have praised Something is Killing the Children,” said Blum in a statement, via THR. “James and Werther’s comic book series taps into our most primal fears, luring us into a fascinating world and introducing Erica Slaughter, the ass-kicking hero we all wish we had to fight the monsters that lurk in the dark.”
“Something is Killing the Children is the comic book that changed my life and career forever,” stated Tynion. “Finding a partner who understood the potential of Erica Slaughter and the world Werther Dell’Edera and I have built was crucial, and we have found that partner in Jason Blum. Nobody understands horror better than Blumhouse, and I can’t wait for the world to see what we all have planned together.”
The adult animated series will see Tynion executive producing with Dell’Edera co-executive producing. Christy will executive produce the series for BOOM! with Adam Yoelin and Mette Norkjaer co-executive producing.
