Last month, we heard that genre superstar director James Wan was teaming with producers Roy Lee and Larry Sanitsky to craft a new adaptation of the Stephen King novel THE TOMMYKNOCKERS, which was previously turned into a two-part TV mini-series back in 1993. The project sparked a bidding war between Universal, Netflix, and Sony… and it looks like Universal has come out the victor.
Wan is not yet confirmed to direct the film; at this point he's said to be producing "with an eye to direct". On board to produce the adaptation alongside Wan, Lee, and Sanitsky are Michael Clear and Jon Berg.
King's novel tells the following story:
On a beautiful June day, while walking deep in the woods on her property in Haven, Maine, Bobbi Anderson quite literally stumbles over her own destiny and that of the entire town. For the dull gray metal protrusion she discovers in the ground is part of a mysterious and massive metal object, one that may have been buried there for millennia. Bobbi can’t help but become obsessed and try to dig it out… the consequences of which will affect and transmute every citizen of Haven, young and old. It means unleashing extraordinary powers beyond those of mere mortals—and certain death for any and all outsiders. An alien hell has now invaded this small New England town… an aggressive and violent malignancy devoid of any mercy or sanity…
Word is that Universal is hoping to have THE TOMMYKNOCKERS ready for release sometime in 2020 – which would be soon enough to cash in on the success New Line Cinema had with last year's IT and are likely to have with next year's IT: CHAPTER 2.
I don't remember King's novel or the mini-series very well at this point, so I'm neutral on the idea of getting a new take on the concept. The idea of Wan making an evil alien movie is promising, though, and I'm guaranteed to see anything King anyway. We'll keep you updated on the project as it moves forward at its new studio home.