Goosebumps Exclusive: EPs Unveil Thrilling Series That Stays True to the Books

Children growing up in the 90s are well-acquainted with the beloved Goosebumps franchise, which originally began as a series of books and later expanded into a television series and films produced by Sony Pictures Animation. To revive this iconic franchise, a reboot series is set to be released on Disney Plus tomorrow, October 13. Prior to its highly anticipated premiere, Executive Producers Rob Letterman and Nicholas Stoller took the time to share insights about the forthcoming show and what fans can anticipate.

Since the initial release of R. L. Stine's first Goosebumps book in July 1992, this franchise has garnered immense popularity among young adult readers. The Goosebumps series has seen the publication of 235 books and has sold over 400 million copies worldwide. These books achieved bestseller status in the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Australia for a combined total of over 115 weeks. Consequently, it was a natural progression to adapt these captivating stories for both film and television projects.

With the return of Goosebumps to the small screen, this time on a streaming platform, fans can anticipate an eerie storyline that centers around "a group of five high schoolers who unleash supernatural forces upon their town." In addition to serving as executive producers on the series, both Letterman and Stoller have assumed crucial roles that breathe life into the show. Letterman, who directed the 2015 Goosebumps film, has returned to helm some of the episodes of the series, while Stoller has crafted the plot and written the script.

Our website: Off the bat, I’d like to know if either of you read the books?

Letterman: In full disclosure, we’re slightly older than the Goosebumps audience. For me, I read them to my kids.

Stoller: My kids read them, too. I missed them by a few years.

GR: What inspired you both to work on this series?

Letterman: In 2015, I directed my first live-action movie. The producer, Neal H. Moritz, reached out to me when the pandemic was starting to emerge. He had the TV rights and asked if I would be interested in doing it for television. I enthusiastically agreed. I contacted Nick, whom I have collaborated with in the past and have a good friendship with. Working with him was not only a great opportunity to work with a friend but also allowed us to strike the perfect balance between grounded horror and comedy. This is how everything came together, and the extra time we had during the pandemic allowed us to communicate through a lot of Zoom calls.

Stoller: I was thrilled when Rob approached me about the project. Most of my work revolves around conflicts in romantic relationships, so this was a refreshing change for me. I have always had a passion for horror, coming-of-age stories, and high school settings, and I had never worked on something like this before. The incorporation of impressive visual effects added to the excitement, not to mention the fact that the Goosebumps books offer great stories. Working with Rob is always a pleasure, so with all these reasons in mind, we eagerly dived into the project.

Is the series a faithful adaptation of the writing style in the books or do you put your own spin on it?

The series deviates from the books by using a serialized format, which necessitates creativity. Furthermore, we made the characters older to heighten the stakes, exploring the theme of teenagers transitioning into adulthood. While there are differences, we remain faithful to the essence of the books, continuously referencing R.L. Stine's advice to Rob to ensure its success.

Letterman: Utilizing the totems and concepts from the books, we seamlessly incorporated them into the development of our show's characters. Although the books consisted of an anthology, we faced limitations in directly adapting them. Consequently, our approach involved establishing interconnections and unity among all the characters.

Based on the synopsis and trailer, Goosebumps seems to offer an original storyline rather than directly adapting classic stories. What led to the decision of not adapting one of the classic stories or books for the series?

Letterman explains that there wasn't enough material to fully develop one book's story. With the abundance of books available, the team felt it would be more captivating to explore a selection of five books per season. They wanted to avoid being restricted to a single book throughout an entire season, allowing for more diverse characters and narratives.

Stoller: Our intention was to create a close-knit group of friends. Each book is designed to resemble a movie, but with almost 10 hours' worth of content, we feared we would exhaust our storytelling ability.

GR: While the original Goosebumps series followed an anthology format, the reboot has opted to dedicate an entire season to a single narrative. What prompted this shift in approach?

Stoller: While I do enjoy anthologies, I have a stronger affinity for serialized storytelling, especially in television. I find it more engaging to become emotionally invested in the characters, similar to the experience of reading a novel rather than a short story. Being able to immerse oneself in a grand narrative and its characters is highly appealing. Therefore, opting for a serialized approach was more appealing to both of us.

Letterman: Additionally, we derive pleasure from constructing a cohesive mythology, rather than starting anew every week.

Stoller: There’s a spareness to R. L. Stine’s stories that has made those books timeless and brilliant, but you have to add more when working on a TV show.

The Goosebumps books were originally released in the 90s. Who do you think the main target audience is? Is it the people who have grown up reading the books or do you expect a younger audience to be interested as well?

Both, actually. We have noticed this trend in the movie adaptations as well. The fan base that grew up reading the books still remains devoted even in their 30s. It's amazing how much they still love these books. It was quite unusual at that time because these were Stephen King materials that were accessible to younger readers. This loyal group of fans is still out there, many of them have become adults now, some have kids of their own, while others don't. Therefore, we wanted to cater to both this adult fan base as well as the younger generation of Goosebumps fans who are currently reading the books, and even to those who have never read Goosebumps. This show stands on its own, with or without any prior knowledge of the books. The characters and themes are very relatable and universal.

Stoller: Disney has been incredibly supportive of our show. When Rob and I presented our unusual concept, which combines elements of horror, comedy, and drama, while also appealing to both children and parents, they were on board. Usually, networks prefer shows that focus on one specific genre, but ours is a unique mix. As we started delivering the first cuts, Disney suggested that we make it our big Halloween event, which was a great idea. We also discussed whether to release all episodes at once or stagger the release. Personally, I'm glad we chose to stagger it because the show is quite addictive and it will generate more buzz if it is released over a longer period, rather than all at once on October 13th.

Letterman: Credit goes to Disney for seeing on the calendar, Friday the 13th. They spotted it over a year ago.

Stoller: We’re pretty excited about it.

Let's discuss Slappy. Fans of the franchise are already aware of his significant role in the books and movies. What can they anticipate from him in the series?

Although Nick and I attempted to conceal Slappy's presence in the series, he is prominently featured on the billboard! We were not successful in keeping this particular spoiler a secret. Fans should be pleased to know that Slappy will be included in the show. However, in a sense, it will challenge their expectations based on previous portrayals of Slappy. We had a great time crafting the Goosebumps mythology and delving into the origins of these elements. Without giving too much away, there is plenty to discover for viewers.

Stoller: The origins of characters have always fascinated me as a fan of the genre. I never tire of watching Batman's parents being tragically killed, and the exploration of where Slappy came from is equally intriguing. As we delve into the origins,

we have the opportunity to expand and delve deeper into the story.

GR: Several Goosebumps books included different endings, allowing readers to choose their own. Does the series have a similar feature?

Letterman: Without giving away too much, the series does not offer a traditional "choose your own adventure" option for fans. However, there is a reference to that concept in episode 5. We discuss it extensively because it was a beloved aspect of Goosebumps. One scene in particular pays tribute to it.

Rob, my next question is for you. You directed and were involved in one of the Goosebumps films. Can you explain the difference between working on the movie and the series?

The movie has a distinct storyline and concept that sets it apart. It takes the meta approach of incorporating Goosebumps into a different universe. It was an amazing experience, and I thoroughly enjoyed making the movie and collaborating with Jack Black. I have worked with him multiple times and have a lot of cherished memories. However, movies and television are quite different. I am new to the television industry and had limited knowledge about it before this project. Nick had to guide me through the process.

Stoller recalled that a week before filming, he was informed that the pages for the show were not yet written. Confidently, he reassured his team that it was not a major concern for television production. However, Rob anxiously asked about the whereabouts of the missing pages. Stoller calmly replied that they would eventually be delivered and advised Rob not to worry.

In a serious tone, Letterman pointed out that, surprisingly, this series stayed true to the books in a more meticulous manner. Contrary to previous claims of it being an anthology, the series actually delves deeper into the essence of the books by incorporating their stories and aligning them with specific characters. This demonstrates a stronger embrace of the literary source material.

GR: What lies ahead for the franchise? Can fans anticipate another season?

Stoller: We thoroughly enjoyed our work on this and sincerely hope for the opportunity to have another season. It would be absolutely wonderful. The experience was enjoyable and artistically rewarding, and we take great pride in the final outcome.

Letterman: The possibility of a Season 2 is contingent upon the show's success, as is customary in the television industry. It is imperative for the show to garner an audience before any further decisions can be made.

The premiere date for Goosebumps on Disney Plus is set for October 13, 2023.