Drew Goddard writing adaptation of Nick Drnaso’s graphic novel Sabrina

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Drew Goddard, director of THE CABIN IN THE WOODS and BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE (pictured above), has signed on to write a cinematic adaptation of Nick Drnaso's 2018 Drawn & Quarterly graphic novel SABRINA (which you can buy at THIS LINK). It's not yet official that Goddard will be directing SABRINA as well, but he is said to be working on the project "with an eye toward directing".

Goddard will be producing the film with Rodrigo Teixeira of RT Features and Arnon Milchan of New Regency. New Regency is also providing the funding.

The SABRINA graphic novel is about 

a man whose girlfriend, Sabrina, goes missing, prompting him to live with his old friend — an Air Force surveillance expert who is dealing with his own failed marriage. After a grisly videotape is anonymously sent to news outlets, Sabrina’s disappearance goes viral. As the 24-hour news cycle and social media take hold of the story, the two men are targeted by vitriolic conspiracy theorists who threaten their sense of the truth and their faith in each other.

So no, this doesn't have anything to do with the teenage witch who has chilling adventures.

SABRINA has gotten a lot of positive attention over the last year. For example, it was

the first graphic novel to be long-listed for the Man Booker Prize. SABRINA also made The New York Times‘ “100 Notable Books of the Year,” The Guardian’s “Best Books of 2018,” NPR’s “Best Books of 2018,” The Atlantic’s “19 Best Books of 2018,” and was praised by The New Yorker and championed by author Zadie Smith.

From what little I know about the graphic novel's story, I think a film dealing with this subject matter could end up being a contender for some major awards.

In addition to his directing credits, Goddard has also written episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Alias, Lost, and Daredevil, as well as the films CLOVERFIELD and THE MARTIAN, for which he was nominated for a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar.