1 of 5 | A new series based on R.L. Stine’s “Goosebumps” books premieres Friday. Photo courtesy of Hulu/Disney+
NEW YORK, Oct. 13 (UPI) — Executive producers Pavun Shetty and Conor Welsh aim to capture the essence of R.L. Stine’s iconic children’s horror books in their new Hulu/Disney+ series, Goosebumps, while infusing it with a modern twist.
The 10-part supernatural series, which debuts on Friday, follows a group of five high school students from different social circles who reluctantly join forces to unravel the mysterious death of fellow student Harold Biddle, which occurred three decades earlier.
Their journey brings them face to face with various supernatural creatures and reveals startling truths about the adults in their lives.
The cast includes Justin Long, Rachael Harris, Zack Morris, Isa Briones, Miles McKenna, Ana Yi Puig, and Will Price.
“Conor and I both grew up reading the Goosebumps books,” Shetty shared in a recent Zoom interview with UPI.
“While we look back on them nostalgically, these kids are experiencing the scares for the first time. Our goal was to tap into those emotions and create a show that genuinely appeals to both kids and adults. We aimed to revitalize the franchise,” Shetty explained.
Welsh, whose daughter is currently reading through the series, took inspiration from her reactions and kept them in mind while adapting the books for television.
“We wanted to make a show that she could watch alone, that we could watch together, and that, much like the books, has elements of scariness and humor that might make you wonder whether it’s suitable for a young audience, even though it is,” Welsh added.
While the show primarily delves into thrilling adventures, it also tackles relatable issues faced by teens, such as identity, insecurity, crushes, and the pressure to succeed.
“A lot of the comedy in the show comes from the awkwardness of being a teenager,” Shetty mentioned.
“During the show’s development, Freaks & Geeks served as one of our inspirations. We added frightening elements to it,” he continued.
The series also explores the challenges faced by the kids’ parents and teachers.
“Often, those situations are awkward and messy. We strived to make them feel authentic to anyone watching the show,” Shetty said.
Welsh chimed in, saying, “All the haunting and horror elements are grounded in real teenage and adult issues, which makes it feel larger and more cinematic.”
In its first season, the show adapts five different Stine books – Say Cheese and Die, The Haunted Mask, The Cuckoo Clock of Doom, Night of the Living Dummy, and Go Eat Worms. The storytelling perspective shifts based on the character at the center of each episode.
“Rob Letterman and Nick Stoller devised a great structure where, for the first five episodes, we follow a different character dealing with an issue from one of the books. Mid-season, they realize what’s happening and take matters into their own hands,” Shetty revealed.
The streaming services owned by Disney have access to all of Stine’s books.
“Since there are multiple books, we hope to have several seasons of the show, incorporating elements from all of them,” Shetty shared. “Throughout the entirety of the season, there are Easter eggs and references for Goosebumps fans.”
During the casting process, the producers searched for actors who could effortlessly navigate the show’s comedic, dramatic, and horror elements.
Central to the casting was Justin Long, known for his roles in Galaxy Quest, the Jeepers Creepers franchise, Ed, Lady of the Manor, and Mom.
“His performance encapsulates what we envision for the entire series – unexpected. He takes the audience to places they don’t anticipate,” Shetty praised.
“At the end of the pilot, his character becomes possessed by the ghost of Harold Biddle, who tragically passed away 30 years prior. Witnessing Justin Long grapple with a possessed adult body and the physical comedy that follows is truly entertaining,” he added.
While the show has not been renewed for subsequent seasons yet, the producers intend to continue following the same characters as they age out of their roles.
“We have an exceptional cast. It would be a shame to lose any of them, but in the real world, there are real stakes,” Shetty acknowledged, hinting that not all characters may survive the battles they face.
“The first season concludes satisfyingly, although there are still many stories to tell with our group. They are in high school and just beginning to know each other,” he added.
The diverse backgrounds of the teenagers and their interactions in extraordinary situations make for captivating television.
“We created a cast of five characters who wouldn’t typically sit together at the same lunch table, but circumstances force them to work together,” Welsh explained.
“There are love triangles, fights, best friends turning into enemies, and enemies becoming best friends. We’ve established dynamics that would be enjoyable to watch over many episodes,” he concluded.
