News

‘Bird Box’ Author Josh Malerman Talks Lofty Concepts and Adaptation

Published

5 years ago

December 23, 2018

If you ask author Josh Malerman how his novel Bird Box came into being, he’ll freely admit that the original concept sounds pretty high-minded.

It all began when two rather interesting yet totally disparate thoughts collided, and earlier this week, he sat down with iHorror to discuss just how they came together, and his excitement at how Netflix has helped bring his novel to a new audience in an exciting adaptation.

“What if a concept came to your town, the concept of infinity, and it was solid enough to be called a creature and to knock on your door,” Malerman explained. “That idea was really powerful to me because our minds are ill-equipped to comprehend infinity. Trying to make sense of it would drive us mad.”

At around the same time, the author had another image in his head that he could not quite get rid of that involved a mother and two children attempting to navigate a river blind-folded. He began to write about the three of them, but he was blocked as to how they ended up in this precarious situation.

Suddenly, like two pieces of a puzzle, the ideas joined. Something unfathomable was all around them, and to escape the danger, they had to move, but they had to do it blind.

“The idea just kind of exploded in my mind,” he said. “I wrote about 4300 words a day for 26 days; it was one of the most fluid experiences of my life. I felt like I was reading the book while I was writing it!”

And soon, the story of Malorie, a pregnant woman who finds herself sharing a house with the other survivors of an enigmatic plague of creatures whose very presence causes madness and her eventual bid for escape to a safe haven, was written, edited, and picked up by Harper Collins for publishing.

Author Josh Malerman at a signing for *Bird Box*

The author’s head was already spinning at his good fortune when three months later his agent, Ryan Lewis, called to inform him that Universal had purchased the rights to adapt his novel into a film. Soon after, Netflix purchased the rights from Universal and the process of adaptation was taken on by screenwriter Eric Heisserer (Arrival, Light’s Out).

“A lot of people have used the word ‘surreal’ to describe all of this and it seems like the right word to turn to, but there’s also something that is hyper-real about it,” the author explained. “We’re children of a movie generation, so there’s a sense while writing…you see it cinematically.”

Still, even though he had envisioned what an adaptation would look like, he never dreamed it would involve star caliber like Sandra Bullock and John Malkovich.

Malerman admits it was the character of Malorie that he related to more than any other while writing the book, comparing her to what one might feel for a twin sister, and he was surprised to find that kinship extended onto the screen.

“I knew her very well; I knew she could do this, and I knew she could survive,” he said. “When I was watching the movie, I found myself feeling the same way. She’s smart; she’s strong, and I had that same connection.”

Malorie, herself, is a very complex character, a terrified mother raising children in an environment where survival is more important than affection which can, he points out give people the wrong impression initially, and he was happy that in the adaptation, they followed his example of allaying those fears early.

He was also pleased that Netflix was racially diverse in casting Bird Box, perhaps taking a cue from something that was absent in the novel.

“Someone pointed out to me early on in the life of the book that they didn’t think I ever mentioned any racial descriptors in there,” he said. “Are they white? Are they African American? Are they Jewish? They could be anyone, I left those descriptors out intentionally and I’m glad that Netflix did the same.”

When all was said and done, when he’d watched the first screening of the film at the Netflix offices, Malerman admits he could not stop smiling. Necessary changes were made, and some he admits he even wished he had written himself.

And what would he tell fans of the novel who are reticent about trying the film?

“I’m so honored this adaptation happened and the way I see it is this,” Malerman explained. “If I had directed the film, which I didn’t…if I had starred in the film, which I didn’t…if I had written the screenplay, which I didn’t…it would still not be the book. There are things that would have to be different. I’m just glad it was in their hands.”

Bird Box is currently available on Netflix, and the novel is available in bookstores and in multiple formats from online sellers.

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Movies

Trailer for ‘The Exorcism’ Has Russell Crowe Possessed

Published

10 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

The latest exorcism movie is about to drop this summer. It’s aptly titled The Exorcism and it stars Academy Award winner turned B-movie savant Russell Crowe. The trailer dropped today and by the looks of it, we are getting a possession movie that takes place on a movie set.

Just like this year’s recent demon-in-media-space film Late Night With the Devil, The Exorcism happens during a production. Although the former takes place on a live network talk show, the latter is on an active sound stage. Hopefully, it won’t be entirely serious and we’ll get some meta chuckles out of it.

The film will open in theaters on June 7, but since Shudder also acquired it, it probably won’t be long after that until it finds a home on the streaming service.

Crowe plays, “Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins), wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play. The film also stars Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, Adam Goldberg and David Hyde Pierce.”

Crowe did see some success in last year’s The Pope’s Exorcist mostly because his character was so over-the-top and infused with such comical hubris it bordered on parody. We will see if that is the route actor-turned-director Joshua John Miller takes with The Exorcism.

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News

Win a Stay at The Lizzie Borden House From Spirit Halloween

Published

11 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Spirit Halloween has declared that this week marks the start of spooky season and to celebrate they are offering fans a chance to stay at the Lizzie Borden House with so many perks Lizzie herself would approve.

The Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, MA is claimed to be one of the most haunted houses in America. Of course one lucky winner and up to 12 of their friends will find out if the rumors are true if they win the grand prize: A private stay in the notorious house.

“We are delighted to work with Spirit Halloween to roll out the red carpet and offer the public a chance to win a one-of-a-kind experience at the infamous Lizzie Borden House, which also includes additional haunted experiences and merchandise,” said Lance Zaal, President & Founder of US Ghost Adventures.

Fans can enter to win by following Spirit Halloween‘s Instagram and leaving a comment on the contest post from now through April 28.

The prize also includes:

An exclusive guided house tour, including insider insight around the murder, the trial, and commonly reported hauntings

A late-night ghost tour, complete with professional ghost-hunting gear

A private breakfast in the Borden family dining room

A ghost hunting starter kit with two pieces of Ghost Daddy Ghost Hunting Gear and a lesson for two at US Ghost Adventures Ghost Hunting Course

The ultimate Lizzie Borden gift package, featuring an official hatchet, the Lizzie Borden board game, Lily the Haunted Doll, and America’s Most Haunted Volume II

Winner’s choice of a Ghost Tour experience in Salem or a True Crime experience in Boston for two

“Our Halfway to Halloween celebration provides fans an exhilarating taste of what’s to come this fall and empowers them to start planning for their favorite season as early as they please,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween. “We have cultivated an incredible following of enthusiasts who embody the Halloween lifestyle, and we’re thrilled to bring the fun back to life.”

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Spirit Halloween is also preparing for their retail haunted houses. On Thursday, August 1 their flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. will officially open to start off the season. That event usually draws in hordes of people eager to see what new merch, animatronics, and exclusive IP goods will be trending this year.

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Movies

’28 Years Later’ Trilogy Taking Shape With Serious Star Power

Published

13 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Danny Boyle is revisiting his 28 Days Later universe with three new films. He will direct the first, 28 Years Later, with two more to follow. Deadline is reporting that sources say Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes have been cast for the first entry, a sequel to the original. Details are being kept under wraps so we don’t know how or if the first original sequel 28 Weeks Later fits into the project.

**Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes**

Boyle will direct the first movie but it’s unclear which role he will take on in the subsequent films. What is known is Candyman (2021) director Nia DaCosta is scheduled to direct the second film in this trilogy and that the third will be filmed immediately afterward. Whether DaCosta will direct both is still unclear.

Alex Garland is writing the scripts. Garland is having a successful time at the box office right now. He wrote and directed the current action/thriller Civil War which was just knocked out of the theatrical top spot by Radio Silence’s Abigail.

There is no word yet on when, or where, 28 Years Later will start production.