RL Stine's Incredible Response to New 'Goosebumps' TV Adaptation Leaves Fans Astounded
RL Stine's reaction to the new TV adaptation of 'Goosebumps' series reveals his constant presence and influence, as producers Conor Welch and Pavun Shetty share his thoughts after watching the pilot on Disney+ and Hulu
Fans of Goosebumps can rest assured that the upcoming TV adaptation will meet their expectations, as author R.L. Stine has already expressed his approval.
In an exclusive interview with We, executive producers Conor Welch and Pavun Shetty shared Stine's reaction upon viewing season 1.
Receiving an email from R.L. Stine, expressing his excitement about our adaptation of his property, was a major milestone in my career," Welch expressed. "His influence was always present, even though he wasn't physically present in the writers room. We felt the weight of the high expectations he had set."
The thoughts of Goosebumps readers were also at the forefront of our minds when determining how to bring this beloved book series to the screen.
"We were well aware that we needed to elevate the material, ensuring that fans of the book are enthralled by what we are creating and not revisiting what has already been done," Welch expressed. "The sheer presence of R.L. Stine alone served as motivation for us to strive for the heights we envisioned."
Goosebumps, set to premiere on Disney+ and Hulu in the upcoming month, incorporates various titles from Stine's renowned horror novels for kids. When a group of teenagers accidentally unleash supernatural forces from a haunted house, they must collaborate to recapture them, all while uncovering the connection between their parents' pasts.
Isa Briones, Will Price, Miles Mckenna, Zack Morris and Ana Yi Puig Disney/David Astorga
The writers had no restrictions on the titles they could choose for the room.
"We had complete access to all the books, which was fantastic. We chose a mix of highly popular titles and, more importantly, stories that strongly resonated with the emotions the kids were experiencing at the time. These were deeply emotional stories for our young characters," Shetty shared with Us. "Every single story is intricately linked to the personal journeys our characters are going through."
He went on to explain how this heightened the fear factor for both the characters in the show and the viewers. The timeless nature of the book series can be attributed to R.L. Stine's approach of addressing relatable, tangible, and enduring issues.
Season 1 of the TV adaptation drew inspiration from various books including Say Cheese and Die!, The Haunted Mask, The Cuckoo Clock of Doom, Go Eat Worms, Night of the Living Dummy, and Welcome to Horrorland. The adaptation aimed to deliver chilling and gripping stories that evoked both fear and emotion in each episode.
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Adolescents are navigating the turbulent waters of alienation, heartbreak, and identity. These eternal elements transcend time, unaffected by whether one attended high school in the ‘90s or is currently enrolled. According to Welch, the compelling factor lies in intertwining these universal emotions with eerie apparitions, chilling terrors, and spine-tingling frights that directly mirror these profound sentiments and struggles, resulting in an exhilarating and relatable encounter.”
The horror unleashes as the perceptive fans spot the chilling events that ensue once the main group of friends come across peculiar objects in the enigmatic Biddle residence on Halloween.
"Our aim was for the story to center around this Halloween party, with the kids stumbling upon an array of items - the totems - amidst the festivity. Therefore, the initial episodes delve into the various entities present," Welch further explained. "It was important for us to incorporate tangible elements like books with hidden cameras, a haunted mask, and even creepy worms."
Shetty explained how Goosebumps captivates a broader audience by making them feel like they are reading something beyond their age. This concept was crucial in developing the show, as they aimed to bring R.L. Stine's iconic stories to television with heightened intensity and more sophisticated humor.
Shetty explained that the story will not be wrapped up completely in just 10 episodes. The intention was to leave room for more stories to be told in the future.
"We hope to have the opportunity because there are many more books to draw inspiration from. We used five popular ones and included small references from other books as well. But there is a wealth of material and scary stories to draw from," Shetty hinted. "The season was left open in a way that allows for ongoing character drama and the dynamic between our kids and parents. They started at one point and ended at a completely different point. This leads to a whole new set of issues that we can explore with our core group in future seasons."
The first five episodes of Goosebumps start streaming on Disney+ and Hulu on Friday, October 13. New episodes are released weekly every Friday.
