The most fun you’ll have being scared picks up excitement as Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streaming service for horror, thriller and the supernatural, announces more details about this year’s continuation of the 80’s classic, Creepshow. Originally written by Stephen King and directed by George A. Romero, the show returns to the world of modern horror with all new scares, today’s most valued storytellers, and even more familiar faces.
With a brand new look at The Creep himself, it was revealed that not only does the great Stephen King grant a blessing over Shudder’s continuation of the Creepshow series, but will personally spread some menacing fungus with the addition of his own horrific tale. Directed by series showrunner Greg Nicotero (The Walking Dead) and adapted by writers Byron Willinger and Philip de Blasi (The Commuter), King’s short story, ‘Gray Matter’, has been added to the lineup of creepy segments.
King’s ‘Gray Matter’ focuses on “Doc and Chief, two old-timers in a small, dying town” who “brave a storm to check on Richie, an alcoholic single father, after encountering his terrified son at the local convenience store”. The short story is part of King’s best-selling 1978 collection, Night Shift. In addition to the news of Nicotero behind the lens and the thrilling revelation of bringing another one of King’s original stories to life, ‘Gray Matter’ will present itself with a powerhouse cast including Adrienne Barbeau (The Fog), who famously portrayed Wilma Northrup in the unforgettable Creepshow segment, ‘The Crate’, as well as Giancarlo Esposito (Better Call Saul), and Tobin Bell (Saw).
Barbeau, currently the host of the Shudder Original podcast, She Kills, returns to the beloved series with sweet enthusiasm and gusto, stating, “I was thrilled when Greg asked me to join the Creepshow world once again… And then working with Tobin and Giancarlo, with Greg as our director, well, that was the icing on the cake — no, not that cake. Oh, you know what I mean.”
Nicotero’s history with The Creep began with a visit to the set of the original Creepshow as a teenager and progressed to a booming career in the special effects industry beginning with the iconic Day of the Dead and Creepshow 2 two years later. Now a phenomenally seasoned master of horror, Nicotero comments, “I feel I’m in great company getting the opportunity to direct a story written by Steve… Between Salem’s Lot, Pet Sematary, and The Stand, I’ve always found his stories rich in relatable characters forced into supernatural situations beyond their control—the everyday person’s primal fears. To visualize ‘Gray Matter’ for Creepshow with the help of Adrienne, Giancarlo and Tobin was about as good as it gets for a horror fan from Pittsburgh!”
So far, eight of the twelve segments that will haunt Creepshow’s six-episode season have been confirmed. In addition to ‘Gray Matter’, the story ensemble includes ‘By the Silver Water of Lake Champlain’ by Joe Hill (NOS4A2), ‘House of the Head’ by Josh Malerman (Bird Box), ‘The Companion’ by Joe Lansdale, Kasey Lansdale, and Keith Lansdale, ‘The Man in the Suitcase’ by Christopher Buehlman, ‘All Hallows Eve’ by Bruce Jones, ‘Night of the Paw’ by John Esposito, and ‘Bad Wolf Down’ by Rob Schrab (Monster House).
The series will wrap production in Atlanta, GA later this week. Additional details on the rest of the story adaptations as well as more additions to the cast and production will be announced in the near future. Creepshow will premiere on Shudder later this year.
Let’s see how long we can hold our breath until then.