Summary
R.L. Stine's involvement and blessing were crucial to the development of the new Goosebumps reboot, according to producers Conor Welch and Pavun Shetty.
Stine's excitement grew as he watched the pilot's rough cut, impressed by the direction the producers had taken. Their choice proved to be a major triumph, successfully preserving the trademark blend of humor and horror that Stine had envisioned. Furthermore, his emotionally compelling narratives in the original Goosebumps books played a crucial role in effectively introducing the main characters to the audience.
R.L. Stine, the author of the Goosebumps book series, supported and collaborated on the development of the new Goosebumps reboot. The horror comedy series, created by Rob Letterman and Nicholas Stoller, revolves around five high school students who inadvertently unleash supernatural forces in their town and uncover hidden secrets held by their parents. This latest adaptation of Goosebumps features actors such as Zack Morris, Isa Briones, Miles McKenna, Ana Yi Puig, Will Price, Rachael Harris, and Justin Long.
In a recent interview with Forbes, producers Conor Welch and Pavun Shetty discuss Stine's involvement in the series. Welch highlights receiving a congratulatory email from Stine as the most thrilling aspect of the production process, while Shetty emphasizes that they wouldn't have proceeded without the author's approval. Please read their full statements below.
Welch: The cuts were observed, and some of the scripts were read. The most exhilarating part of the entire process for me was when he viewed the rough cut of the pilot and sent an email expressing his immense satisfaction, acknowledging that he was thrilled with the direction we took.
Shetty: If R.L. Stine hadn't granted us his approval, we wouldn't have proceeded with the show. This is crucial because he is the creator of one of the most widely acclaimed book series in history. This intellectual property holds great affection among a multitude of individuals who grew up reading the books, including Conor and myself.
How R.L. Stine Influenced The New Goosebumps Show
: Welch was consistently like the guiding star throughout, generously meeting with us at the outset. His stance was that the overall experience should be somewhat more intense and amusing than what both the readers and audience anticipate, while ensuring that it never patronizes its readers.
Stine's Goosebumps series initiated in 1992 with the publication of the first book, titled Welcome to Dead House. From 1992 to 1997, he published an additional 62 books, all of which fell under the Goosebumps franchise. Furthermore, the 80-year-old writer penned multiple spinoff series, like Tales to Give You Goosebumps, which effectively expanded the horror universe.
The new Goosebumps show incorporates an original story while also drawing inspiration from some of Stine's classic tales such as Say Cheese and Die! and The Cuckoo Clock of Doom. Promotional materials have confirmed the appearance of the iconic character Slappy the Dummy in season 1. By connecting the plot and characters to Stine's books, the new Goosebumps show successfully maintains the author's influence. The show effectively combines Stine's trademark mix of humor and horror, thanks to his direct involvement. The producers acknowledge that Stine's Goosebumps books effectively brought emotional depth to their characters, which is also reflected in the five main high schoolers on the show. With the release of five episodes, the early reactions to the updated Goosebumps have been predominantly positive, demonstrating how Stine's involvement and influence greatly contribute to the show's success.
Goosebumps releases new episodes Fridays on Disney+ and Hulu.
Source: Forbes
