Rumor: Donnie Darko’s Richard Kelly to helm a Rod Serling biopic

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man’s fears, and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call … The Twilight Zone, and according to a recent post by Production Weekly, DONNIE DARKO filmmaker Richard Kelly may be gearing up to helm a biopic focusing on "the Zone's" creator, Rod Serling.

Now, before we press on, let it be known that you should take the following report with a grain of salt. After all, nothing about a Rod Serling biopic has been officially announced, and I really don't want to be responsible for jinxing our chances of this project coming to fruition.

If Production Weekly's listing is to be believed, the Rod Serling endeavor would be Kelly's first directorial effort in a decade. In looking at the filmmaker's credits, Kelly's last turn behind the camera was for THE BOX, a peculiar 2009 Mystery feature starring Cameron Diaz, James Marsden and Frank Langella. The aforementioned film focused on a small wooden box that arrives on the doorstep of a married couple, who know that opening it will grant them a million dollars and kill someone they never met. As a point of note, THE BOX was inspired by a 1980's Twilight Zone episode of the same name.

Rumor has it that Kelly will write and direct the Rod Serling biopic, which will of course center on the life and times of THE TWILIGHT ZONE mastermind. Before focusing his talents on weaving strange sci-fi-centric yarns, Serling was a paratrooper who served in the Battle of Leyte. Like J.R.R. Tolkien, Serling's time at war had left him mentally scarred and changed for the remainder of his days. Night terrors and PTSD aside, Serling eventually began managing and writing for a radio station. Soon thereafter, he entered the world of television, where his knack for telling tall tales infused with biting social commentary quickly labeled him as a superior storyteller. He then created THE TWILIGHT ZONE in 1959 for CBS.

As time went on, Serling inserted his hand into many entertainment cookie jars. Not only did he go on to create another show titled NIGHT GALLERY, he also hosted a game show at one time in his illustrious career. Needless to say, Serling had lived a life rich with creative endeavors.

Like I'd said, this project remains unconfirmed, though if I'm being honest, I really hope it comes to pass. I've been a fan of Serling's work since the fifth grade, and think that his story would make for a grand adventure on the silver screen. It's also known that Kelly is a big fan of Serling's, which has me thinking that this would serve as a very personal project for him. Here's hoping that we get an official word on this would-be biopic sometime within the coming months.