Mumbai: Columbia Pictures has acquired from Scholastic Media the right to adapt Scholastic’s bestselling Goosebumps book series into a theatrical feature. Deborah Forte and Neal H. Moritz will produce the film; it was announced by Columbia Pictures presidents Doug Belgrad and Matt Tolmach.
Goosebumps is one of the most popular series of books for children ever – in fact, only the Harry Potter novels have surpassed Goosebumps in total sales.
Goosebumps has been published in over 32 languages and sold more than 300 million copies worldwide. The series was successfully adapted by Scholastic Entertainment for television for the Fox Kids Network, where it was rated #1 for four seasons, and aired in over 100 countries. Episodes of the live action television series returned to the small screen in 2007 on Cartoon Network and instantly became a sensation. New Goosebumps HorrorLand books written by R.L. Stine hit the stores last month and, this fall, Scholastic Interactive unveils a highly anticipated Goosebumps videogame.
Tolmach said, "Goosebumps is an international multi-media phenomenon, a truly global brand that excites kids everywhere. Children and parents alike love the Goosebumps series – it’s safe, scary fun that is completely accessible to audiences from eight to eighty. We’re excited by that creative challenge and, with so much rich source material available to us, we expect to deliver a film that will chill and thrill fans of this unique family-friendly franchise."
"I’m looking forward to bringing Goosebumps to the big screen with Columbia and Neal who value and respect the brand and the global fan base that Scholastic has cultivated. What better way to deliver the rollercoaster ride of scares and humor that the fans expect from Goosebumps than with a movie. Sony’s track record with franchises like Spider-man makes them an ideal partner," said Scholastic Media producer and president Deborah Forte.
"Securing the motion picture rights to Goosebumps for Columbia Pictures and Sony comes with an enormous responsibility to the fans that have grown up with these books and have very high expectations about how these beloved novels will be adapted. We are truly delighted to be partners with Deborah Forte and the team at Scholastic as we work together to bring Goosebumps to the big screen," said Moritz.
The studio will begin developing the first Goosebumps movie immediately. Andrea Giannetti will oversee the project on behalf of the studio working closely with Original Films and Scholastic.
