James Wan gearing up to produce horror camping feature The Troop

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

As if he doesn't have enough projects on his plate already, it's been announced that AQUAMAN director James Wan is gearing up to produce THE TROOP through his Atomic Monster studio. Wan's production banner recently purchased the rights to the project, which is based on a novel by author Nick Cutter.

When THE TROOP gets underway, the film will aim to tell the tale of a group of teens on a remote camping trip who must fend for themselves after their adult chaperone falls prey to an aggressive otherworldly virus. (via Variety)

Here's a synopsis of Cutter's novel courtesy of Goodreads:

Once a year, scoutmaster Tim Riggs leads a troop of boys into the Canadian wilderness for a three-day camping trip—a tradition as comforting and reliable as a good ghost story and a roaring bonfire. But when an unexpected intruder—shockingly thin, disturbingly pale, and voraciously hungry—stumbles upon their campsite, Tim and the boys are exposed to something far more frightening than any tale of terror. The human carrier of a bioengineered nightmare. An inexplicable horror that spreads faster than fear. A harrowing struggle for survival that will pit the troop against the elements, the infected…and one another.

Set to produce the feature alongside Atomic Monster is JS Entertainment and Starlight Media, with plans for E.L. Katz (CHANNEL ZERO: DREAM DOOR, CHEAP THRILLS) to direct. Michael Clear will also produce with Judson Scott acting as overseer. Meanwhile, Noah Gardner will adapt the screenplay with Aidan Fitzgerald (THE TRENCH).

Atomic Monster has been quite busy as of late with regard to announcing upcoming projects, such as THE CONJURING 3, starring Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson, which is set to haunt theaters on September 11, 2020. Wan's movie house is also readying production on MORTAL KOMBAT, a film based on the popular video game series that, so far, has Joe Taslim starring as Sub-Zero. The aforementioned film that promises to feature over-the-top fatalities will arrive in theaters on March 5, 2021. Oh, I almost forgot, Atomic Monster is also producing SOMETHING INSIDE YOUR HOUSE for Netflix.

When it comes to getting back behind the camera, Wan is set to direct a yet-to-be-titled project before returning to DC for their AQUAMAN sequel starring Jason Momoa.

With so many projects in the works, one has to wonder about Wan's sleep schedule, or lack thereof. Could it be that Wan is actually a sleepless demon whose job it is to sow nightmare seeds within the film industry? Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if that were the case. Wan obviously has energy to spare, which makes me wonder if he's some breed of vampire, leeching off those around him in order to make all this magic happen. I'll do some investigating and let you know what turns up. Stay tuned for updates.