Justin Long: The Undisputed Scream King, Backed by 'Goosebumps' Executive Producers

Disney/David Astorga

Justin Long has left quite an impression playing a possessed teacher on Goosebumps, which is just one of many projects proving his status as a scream king.

In an exclusive interview with We, executive producers Pavun Shetty and Conor Welch lauded Long's portrayal of Mr. Bratt, a.k.a. the host body for Harold Biddle in the current season. "Securing Justin for this role was a stroke of luck. He has extensive experience in comedy, particularly in adolescent and coming-of-age comedy. However, he has also showcased his talents in the horror genre," Shetty expressed. "His performance in Jeepers Creepers, a genuinely terrifying adult film, is a testament to his versatility. Additionally, his recent work in Barbarian demonstrated his ability to seamlessly transition between comedic and intense roles."

Shetty praised Long's skill in effortlessly transitioning between different genres, stating, "He has this incredible ability to deliver comedy and horror simultaneously. Additionally, he's remarkably talented in physical acting, which greatly enhances his portrayal in this role."

Goosebumps, adapted from R.L. Stine's chilling novels, centers around a group of teenagers who unintentionally unleash supernatural entities from a haunted house. As they delve deeper, they uncover the shocking revelation that their parents' involvement in a 1993 murder has triggered this inexplicable malevolence. Now, they must reclaim and contain the evil before it's too late.

Long, aged 45, portrays the role of Mr. Bratt, an English teacher who relocates to Port Lawrence following his inheritance of the eerie Biddle house. Unfortunately, his physical being is swiftly seized by the spectral presence of Harold Biddle, the teenager who tragically passed away within the confines of the house back in 1993. Consequently, Mr. Bratt finds himself ensnared within the depths of his own consciousness.

Disney Plus/YouTube

"He is haunted by the literal presence of a 16-year-old ghost who completely takes control of his physical form. Therefore, a significant portion of his performance revolves around portraying the mental torment inflicted upon him by this haunting. Additionally, there is the aspect of his body learning how to behave while being possessed," Shetty elaborated. "He fully immersed himself in the role, fearlessly throwing himself against lockers and forcefully banging his head against objects. He flawlessly transformed between a child and an adult, engaged in a battle against himself."

The executive producer praised Long's exceptional ability to seamlessly transition between comedy and horror.

"That was crucial for this role and crucial for all roles, really, as we aimed to strike a balance between scary and funny. It was essential to us that both the children and the adults could deliver a joke and have comedic timing, while also embracing the dramatic aspects."

Alongside Long's captivating performance, the Goosebumps creative team made it a priority to bring in fresh faces as the show's main characters. Zack Morris, Isa Briones, Miles McKenna, Ana Yi Puig, and Will Price ultimately completed the cast.

Disney/David Astorga

After conducting auditions for numerous teenagers and young adults, we were determined not to cast any familiar faces for the main high school ensemble. Fortunately, the five individuals we ultimately chose immediately clicked and formed a chemistry that exceeded our expectations," Welch highlighted. "The premise of these characters is that despite hailing from different backgrounds within the same small town, they would unlikely be found sitting together at the same lunch table. However, as they gradually recognize their shared haunted experiences, they unite with the common goal of unraveling the mystery and rescuing the town."

He concluded by stating that they aimed to defy the traditional high school stereotypes depicted in films like Breakfast Club. They recognized that modern teenagers and high school experiences are not limited to jocks, bookworms, and wallflowers. It was crucial for them to challenge these expectations and portray the characters with greater complexity, presenting them in unexpected ways. They expressed their fortunate admiration for the exceptional actors who delivered outstanding performances.