EXCLUSIVE: R.L. Stine Says ‘GOOSEBUMPS’ Movie is Not Happening but ‘RED RAIN’ Might

This past Friday found the popular New York children’s horror author R.L. Stine in the hometown of Destroy the Brain – St. Louis.  He attended an event here where he spoke about his beloved Goosebumps series as well as his new adult horror novel Red Rain.  Since I grew up as an avid reader of his horror novels, I was absolutely ecstatic to be able to meet the author and get a couple of my old books signed.  I was lucky enough to also be able to ask him a few questions about some rumors about a potential Goosebumps film series.  Several news sites reported this past January that Darren Lemke was to write the film update after Carl Ellsworth (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Disturbia) was originally attached to the project.  According to Mr. Stine, fans of the series shouldn’t hold their breath.

“Look, it’s never going to happen! It’s been twenty years since it was first mentioned.  The closest the film ever got to being made was when Tim Burton was originally attached to it years ago.  It’s never going to happen.”

Even though fans might be discouraged to hear this, there might be another opportunity to see R.L. Stine’s work on the big screen.

“They are interested in a feature film of Red Rain.”

Red Rain is of course Stine’s new book which finds him delving into the world of adult horror.  The story focuses on a travel blogger who gets caught in a hurricane where blood seems to be raining down from the sky.  Amid the bloody storm emerges twin boys who reveal they are now homeless and alone.  She takes the two young boys home to stay with her and her family but is unaware of their true nature.

R.L. Stine, who is very active in the TV show of his work, R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour– revealing that he reads every single script that goes to film – seems very aware of his name and of the titles attached with it.  If he says the movie is not going to happen . . . then I believe him.  In a lot of ways I think I actually prefer not having a feature developed from the book series.  An anthology film would be the best way to bring these stories to film form, but Hollywood hasn’t been too keen on that format as of late.  Not to mention, since the family horror films ParaNorman and Frankenweenie didn’t do as well as expected, I’m sure the studios would have to change the concept completely to boost the attendance.  At any rate, we will always have the books.  And more importantly, it looks like we may see the author’s name on the big screen soon enough.  Here’s hoping that Red Rain works out for him.