New Children of the Corn Adaptation Finds Home at RLJE Films and Shudder

One of author Stephen King’s most beloved short stories, Children of the Corn, will return to the big screen this spring.

A new adaptation of the story, first published in the March 1977 issue of Penthouse and then in King’s 1978 collection Night Shift, was picked up for distribution by RJLE Films and the Shudder streaming service, via Deadline.

Author King himself is not involved as a producer in this, which comes months after he admitted that Michael Bay’s Transformers was the only movie he came out of.

Acquired: A new adaptation of the story, first published in the March 1977 issue of Penthouse and then in King’s 1978 collection Night Shift, was acquired for distribution by RJLE Films and the streaming service Shudder, via via Deadline.

The original short story follows a couple trying to save their marriage by driving to California for a vacation, only to have their plans abruptly disrupted in Nebraska when a child is run over.

They soon discover that the nearby town of Gatlin, Nebraska is run by a group of sadistic children who have killed every adult in the town and now no one can live past the age of 19.

The tale was originally adapted into the 1984 feature film of the same name starring Peter Horton and Linda Hamilton as the couple, Burt and Vicky.

Original Story: The original short story follows a couple trying to save their marriage by driving to California for a vacation, only to have their plans abruptly disrupted in Nebraska when a child is run over.

First Adaptation: The short story was originally adapted into the 1984 feature film of the same name starring Peter Horton and Linda Hamilton as the couple, Burt and Vicky.

Producer Lucas Foster revealed in 2020 that this adaptation has “almost nothing to do” with the original adaptation, which seems clear since there doesn’t seem to be any Burt or Vicky character in this new production.

This project is said to focus on the events that led to the massacre of the adults in Gatlin, after their irresponsibility led to the ruin of the corn crop and their future in jeopardy.

The story follows a 12-year-old girl, ‘who is possessed by a spirit in a dying cornfield’ and ultimately ‘recruits the other children in her small town to go on a bloody rampage and kill all the adults and anyone else who objects. hers. ‘

New Story: Producer Lucas Foster revealed in 2020 that this adaptation has “almost nothing to do” with the original adaptation, which seems clear since there doesn’t appear to be any Burt or Vicky characters in this new production.

Possessed: The story follows a 12-year-old girl, “who is possessed by a spirit in a dying cornfield” and ultimately “recruits the other kids in her small town to go on a bloody rampage and kill everyone adults and anyone else. who opposes her

Production began in March 2020 in New South Wales, Australia, although unlike virtually all other films, it was not halted due to COVID-19.

Using strict health and safety protocols, filming wrapped in June, and the film had a small theatrical release in October 2020 at two theaters in Sarasota, Florida.

Elena Kampouris (Before I Fall), Kate Moyer (Station Eleven), Callan Mulvey (The Gray Man) and Bruce Spence (The Road Warrior) star in the film written and directed by Kurt Wimmer (Salt).

No Shutdown: Production began in March 2020 in New South Wales, Australia, although unlike virtually every other film, it was not shut down due to COVID-19.

Cast: Elena Kampouris (Before I Fall), Kate Moyer (Station Eleven), Callan Mulvey (The Gray Man) and Bruce Spence (The Road Warrior) star in the film written and directed by Kurt Wimmer (Salt).

“We are delighted to be working with Kurt Wimmer and bringing his vision of this classic Stephen King story to new audiences,” said Mark Ward, Director of Acquisitions for RLJE Films.

Lucas Foster produced alongside Doug Barry and John Baldecchi, and the film’s digital visual effects were produced in-house by Digital Domain.

RLJE Films has set a theatrical release date of March 3, with just an 18-day theatrical window before it arrives digitally and on-demand on March 21.

Release: RLJE Films has set a theatrical release date of March 3, with just an 18-day theatrical window before it arrives digitally and on-demand on March 21