Deadline is reporting that David Slade (HARD CANDY) is set to direct an adaptation of the 2007 supernatural horror novel DARK HARVEST by author Norman Partridge for MGM.
The story of DARK HARVEST
is set on Halloween in 1963 and centers around the October Boy aka Ol’ Hacksaw Face aka Sawtooth Jack. Whatever the name, everybody in this small Midwestern town knows who he is. He rises from the cornfields every Halloween, a butcher knife in his hand, and makes his way toward town, where gangs of teenage boys eagerly await their chance to confront the legendary nightmare. Both the hunter and the hunted, the October Boy is the prize in an annual rite of life and death. Pete McCormick knows that killing the October Boy is his one chance to escape a dead-end future in this one-horse town. He’s willing to risk everything, including his life, to be a winner for once. But before the night is over, Pete will look into the saw-toothed face of horror–and discover the terrifying true secret of the October Boy.
This actually sounds pretty cool! I especially love the idea of the would-be victims choosing to face the supernatural slasher figure, rather than it being thrust upon them ala FRIDAY THE 13TH, HALLOWEEN, or most films of this nature. I'm also glad to see Slade back to doing theatrical movies, after a long run in (admittedly visually interesting, ala HANNIBAL and AMERICAN GODS) television. I'll definitely be keeping a look out for this one!
The film is currently slated to be released September 24th, 2021…but we'll see if that sticks.
So what do you guys think? Anyone read the book, and if so what'd you think? Either way, sound off below!