Do you want to hear a frightening story?
The year was 2015; it was 2015. A New England math whiz with a couple crime novels to his name was experiencing his big breakthrough in horror fiction. The internet-era spin on the demonic possession genre, "A Head Full of Ghosts", arrived in June to rave reviews. It was the best novel of the year. Stephen King said that it scared the living hell out of him.
An adaptation of a movie appeared to be near the finish line. Focus Features won an auction for the film rights a month before the novel was published. Team Downey was created by Robert Downey Jr. It seemed like it would be a good fit for an adaptation given the novel's tense family drama and reality TV heavy premise. It's a no-doubt.
Since then, it has been in development hell.
I don't know who first said "In publishing, it's no, no, no, no, until it's yes", but I will credit writer Chuck Wendig for saying it. In Hollywood, it's yes, yes, until it's no.
The Tinseltown terror didn't bother him at all. A senior in college and a senior in high school are being raised by his and his wife. Tremblay taught math at a small private high school. He will be taking a sabbatical this year as he works on a novel and pitches a film adaptation of a short story.
He continued to publish stories and books, building a bigger audience and snaring more sparkling blurbs from King, a long time favorite.
The world was coming to grips with the Covid-19 Pandemic when the novel "Survivor Song" was published. His latest novel, the Hsker D -inspired "The Pallbearers Club," is about a teenage misfit who befriends a strange woman who may or may not be a vampire.
Maybe it isn't such a scary story after all, since one of the books has been filmed for a movie.
The director of films such as "The Sixth Sense" and "Split" just finished filming an adaptation of "The Cabin at the End of the World." A family is besieged by strangers. Universal Pictures plans to release a movie called "Knock at the Cabin" in February.
Tremblay had to keep quiet about the movie's source material after all that waiting and deal making. For a long period of time. The film's premise prompted many horror fans to say, "That sounds an awful lot like 'The Cabin at the End of the World'."
The movie may end up being a sort of Hollywood beginning for the actor. An adaptation of a song is being worked on. There is renewed hope for a movie about ghosts.
The author of "A Knock at the Cabin" spoke to CNBC about what it was like to have his book turned into a movie.
Did you know that M. Night Shyamalan was making a movie about The Cabin at the End of the World? What happened in your head?
FilmNation had an option for me to sign. The team searched for a director and other talent. Night had read the script and was interested in possibly producing. Night wanted to rewrite the script and direct after it didn't work out with the first director.
It was great to hear that he was interested as I have enjoyed many of his movies. I had heard a lot of exciting names attached to or interested in my previous novels and then things inevitably would fall apart.
I moved from cautious optimism to real-time excited when it was clear that Night was interested and attached to the movie.
What amount of work did you do with the man? His process, what is it?
FilmNation kept me in the loop with the early draft of a screenplay and asked for my input, even though I have no contractual say over the film. I answered a lot of Night's questions about why I did what I did after we talked on the phone. I can't talk about his process. He and the crew worked for two days on the set. He created a positive creative atmosphere.
“Glass” director M. Night Shyamalan.The actors responded to the material. They came to your vision of the characters.
The actors embodied the spirit of the characters from what I could see and were fully committed to the story. They were generous with their time and attention when they asked me questions about the book. Being able to chat with them was one of the highlights of the visit.
The way movies are made is similar to the way Alfred Hitchcock movies were. How do you balance the needs of the movie with the needs of the author?
In the spring of 2022, I spent a lot of time debunking internet rumors about the book and movie. It became impossible in June with all the information out there. I am respectful of movie marketing desires and wouldn't want to ruin anything. My readers will still be surprised by the film even though there will be story changes and differences compared to the book.
How did it feel to have your text adjusted for a movie that will, in large part, be another person's vision, as well?
Influence and the re-telling of tales, particularly within the horror genre, is something that has always fascinated me. A Head Full of Ghosts is one of the most popular novels I have written. The film is a response to the home invasion film genre. Most of the time, I'm excited about the chance to see my story on screen. I would be lying if I said I didn't care about the experience. It means a lot to me. I lived in the book for one and a half years. It will be something I have to deal with. It's a good problem to have.
What has it been like waiting for the movie to start?
It has been some time since. Since 2015, the book has been under consideration. Many close calls, different directors and actors attached, a whole bunch of screenplay drafts, and like many projects, the Pandemic derailed the production of the project. The producers, Allegiance Theater and Team Downey, are committed to the book and communicating with me in a professional and honest way, which is very much appreciated. It feels like we are close to making something really cool with the new director and screenplay.
What do you think about working with big studios and filmmakers compared to working with publishers?
No response? That's right, ha! I think I'm joking. I don't know who first said "in publishing, it's no, no, no, no, until it's yes", but I will credit writer Chuck Wendig as I first heard him say it. It is yes until it is no in Hollywood.
Producing stories and art isn't a science, and both industries have plenty of pitfalls, plenty of talented people, and plenty of people who aren't in it for the same reason I'm in it. I'm just trying to navigate it all the best I can, advocating for the stories that feel important enough for me to write for a year. I haven't eaten all of Barton Fink. It's still yet.
Paul Tremblay’s novel “The Pallbearers Club” is displayed at Barnes and Noble in Woodland Park, NJ, on July 10, 2022.Several horror writers have been given work by the streaming service. For example, take Adam Nevill's "The Ritual" What is the reaction of the horror writer community to recent warnings of cuts at streaming companies?
I haven't heard of a horror writing community reaction to the financial shake-ups. I've heard from friends who work in Hollywood that studios and financers will take less chances on stories that aren't tentpole superhero blockbusters, and that horror stories will be less likely to get made. Multiple producers have told me that they are not looking for horror that is grim and has a happy ending. We can't make all "horror" into the show. Many horror fans find hope and comfort in the horror that is difficult to watch.
How much does a movie affect your work?
It was my first time watching film. I used to watch movies on VHS and cable when I was younger. Three of my recent novels were based on movies and novels. I look at all the artistic modes. My newest story is a love letter to ’80s punk and ’90s independent music.
Is there a credit for "Screenplay by Paul Tremblay"?
With the caveat that I don't expect to be great or even good at writing screenplays right off the bat, I hope we do.
I wrote a script for my short story. It's okay. There is some work that needs to be done. I mentioned my short story adaptation group pitch and would like to be involved in the adaptation if optioned. The Hollywood experience is going into the next novel regardless of whether or not a screenwriting opportunity arises. I wrote about 60 pages. I think it's a good idea!
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