Creepers: Lionsgate funding horror film based on novel by First Blood author David Morrell

Author David Morrell’s novel First Blood depicts a very different version of John J. Rambo than the character we saw in the film adaptation (and it doesn’t end well for him), but we do still have Morrell to thank for bringing us Rambo and the concept of First Blood in the first place. Rambo’s time on the screen may be over for now (Sylvester Stallone seems to have retired from playing the character), but Lionsgate – which released both Rambo and Rambo: Last Blood – is now moving forward with a different Morrell-inspired project. Deadline reports that Lionsgate and Suretone Pictures are teaming up to fund a film adaptation of Morrell’s “supernatural adventure thriller” novel Creepers (pick up a copy HERE).

Creepers tells the story of

a group of young urban explorers who plan to investigate an old, boarded up, seemingly abandoned hotel, only to encounter danger at every turn in the form of a competing group of hostile urban explorers seeking to find a legendary hidden treasure as well as a supernatural being who wreaks havoc on all.

Filming on Creepers is scheduled to begin in just thirteen days, on July 25th, with Marc Klasfeld at the helm. Klasfeld previously directed the 2005 comedy The L.A. Riot Spectacular and has over twenty years of music videos to his name, having worked with performers like Machine Gun Kelly, Akon, Jessie J, Sum 41, Kid Rock, Nick Jonas, Kacey Musgraves, Wiz Khalifa, Charlie Puth, Florida Georgia Line, Azealia Banks, Kelly Clarkson, Charli XCX, Tokio Hotel, Katy Perry, Michael Bublé, Britney Spears, Robbie Williams, CeeLo Green, Bella Thorne, Zendaya, Aerosmith, Train, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rita Ora, Nelly, Vanessa Carlton, Avril Lavigne, DMX, Backstreet Boys, Bloodhound Gang, Slipknot, Bon Jovi, Jay-Z, Foo Fighters, Powerman 5000, and many more. Along the way, he also directed an episode of the HBO series Oz.

Jordan Schur, Chairman and CEO of Suretone Pictures, had this to say about Creepers:

I am pleased to partner on this special film with Lionsgate. After a decade in development, we have arrived at our destination with a powerful script adapted from a timeless book and a gifted director leading the charge. We could not ask for a better partner in Lionsgate who share our passion and excitement to bring the world this amazing roller-coaster of a story.”

Have you read David Morrell’s Creepers? If so, what do you think about the story being brought to the screen? Share your thoughts on this one by leaving a comment below.