Today, Universal Cable Productions announced that they've inked a deal with famed horror director John Carpenter to develop TALES FOR A HALLOWEEN NIGHT, a new anthology series for SYFY. Carpenter will executive produce the scripted program with UCP for the NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment portfolio, as well as for external networks and streaming services, along with his producing partner, Sandy King, under their Storm King Productions banner.
In regard to the promising announcement, Dawn Olmstead, Executive Vice President, Development at UCP stated, “John Carpenter is an incredible creator whose dark imagination has left an indelible mark in film and in our dreams. We are thrilled to have a master of the horror genre join UCP.”
In response, Carpenter was quoted as saying, “I’m excited to partner with Universal Cable Productions on this venture into television. On one hand it’s a return home to Universal where I have fond memories, and on the other it’s a step into the future with great new creative partners in programming."
As per the official press release:
UCP and Carpenter are already in development on TALES OF HALLOWEEN NIGHT for SYFY. Based on Carpenter’s award-winning graphic novel anthology of stories where he brings together storytellers from the worlds of movies, novels, and comics for a collection of horror stories featuring graveyards, sunken ships, creepy crawlers and ghosts that will haunt your dreams long after you’ve finished reading. Currently, the project doesn't have a writer attached, though a search is indeed underway.
Additionally, UCP and Carpenter are developing NIGHTSIDE, based on the literary series by New York Times bestselling author Simon R. Green, with Jill Blotevogel (SCREAM: THE TV SERIES) attached to write the script. NIGHTSIDE is the secret heart of London beating to its own rhythm, pumping lifeblood through the veins of its streets and alleys, hidden in eternal darkness where creatures of the night congregate and where the sun is afraid to shine. It’s the place to go if you’re looking to indulge the darker side of your nature—and to hell with the consequences.
TALES FOR A HALLOWEEN NIGHT and NIGHTSIDE are the latest addition to UCP’s impressive genre development slate. The award-winning studio is in various stages of production and script development on a range of series including: HAPPY! for SYFY; THE SINNER, DAMNATION, and UNSOLVED: THE MURDERS OF TUPAC AND THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G. for USA Network; THE PURGE for USA Network and SYFY; ALL THAT GLITTERS for Bravo; and IMPULSE for YouTube Red.
Well, well, well! While I haven't kept up with Carpenter's projects over the past few years, I do like the idea of him taking on a more long-form project. Sometimes, filmmakers really use that added length of time to their advantage to create something truly unique, and as a Master of Horror, Carpenter certainly has the pedigree to make something special for horror and sci-fi fans the world over. We'll be sure to post any new developments on the TALES FOR A HALLOWEEN NIGHT series as they develop.