Guillermo del Toro talks new directing gig, Scott Cooper for Antlers film

It would appear as if everything is coming up Milhouse for Guillermo del Toro, for in the wake of landing seven Golden Globe nominations for his latest film, THE SHAPE OF WATER, Fox Searchlight has sped up the production of two more projects associated with the legendary director.

According to sources who spoke with Variety, Fox Searchlight is now in the process of negotiating with director Scott Cooper (HOSTILES) to helm the del Toro-produced supernatural film ANTLERS. Additionally, del Toro is also readying himself to write and direct a remake of the 1947 Fox film NIGHTMARE ALLEY. With that said, it's important to note that NIGHTMARE ALLEY may not be del Toro's next directing gig. After all, he still needs to ink the script, which he plans to co-write with Kim Morgan (SEANCES, THE FORBIDDEN ROOM).

“I am delighted to continue the producing partnership that has been forged with Fox Searchlight during the making of ‘The Shape of Water,'” del Toro shared. “Nancy, Steve, David and Matthew and the entire team are great champions of true cinema. With both ‘Nightmare Alley’ and ‘Antlers’ I know we will create entertaining, elevated films.”

In regard to ANTLERS, the project was written by Henry Chaisson & Nick Antosca and is based on "The Quiet Boy," a short story penned by Antosca. The terrifying tale focuses on a young teacher who discovers that her troubled student’s father and younger brother harbor a deadly supernatural secret. Taking the boy into her care, the teacher must fight for their survival against horrors beyond imagination. Joining del Toro in his producing duties for ANTLERS will be David Goyer, Miles Dale, and Kevin Turen with Antosca exec producing. The project is seen by many as something outside of Cooper's wheelhouse, though we've seen unlikely directors go on to do great things beyond their comfort zones before.

As for NIGHTMARE ALLEY, the original movie starred Tyrone Power  as an ambitious young con-man who hooks up with a female psychiatrist who is even more corrupt than he is. At first, they enjoy success fleecing people with their mentalist act, but then she turns the table on him, out-manipulating the manipulator. For the moment, del Toro will produce, co-write, and direct the remake.

Like I'd said, it looks as if everything is coming up Milhouse for del Toro, and I for one an overjoyed that Guillermo is getting some much-deserved recognition for his brilliant work. THE SHAPE OF WATER just opened this past weekend in my neck of the woods, and I can't wait to check it out!