Syfy lands Don Mancini’s ‘fresh take’ on a Chucky TV series

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

The return of John Carpenter and Debra Hill's Michael Myers might have dominated your slasher-related news feeds in 2018, but now it looks as if 2019 is shaping up to be The Year of the Chucky. Today we've learned that Syfy has won the television rights to the CHILD'S PLAY franchise, after a very competitive situation with other networks hoping to land the murderous Good Guy doll. As per their new acquisition, Syfy is planning the launch of a CHUCKY TV series based on ideas from the franchise's original creator, Don Mancini.

When work begins on CHUCKY, Mancini will write the series in addition to serving as an executive producer. As you're likely to be aware, Mancini helped Chucky carve his way through countless bodies after penning the 1988 original CHILD'S PLAY, as well as six sequels, three of which Mancini directed. In an attempt to make the new series as authentic as possible, Syfy has requested that longtime franchise producer David Kirschner, and Nick Antosca (who worked beside Mancini on the production of both HANNIBAL and CHANNEL ZERO) be invloved in the series' production.

In talking about taking the franchise in a bold, new direction, Mancini remaked, “I’ve long wanted to bring Chucky to television and Syfy is the perfect network for us,” said the Chucky co-creator. “The show will be a fresh take on the franchise, allowing us to explore Chucky’s character with a depth that is uniquely afforded by the television series format, while staying true to the original vision that has terrorized audiences for over three decades now.”

Then, as a playful way of re-introducing himself, Chucky released his own statement to the press:

“In these troubled times, I believe it’s my obligation as a horror icon to reach the widest possible audience, on TV,” Chucky explained. “For over 30 years, I’ve been scaring the s–t out of you. But now at Syfy, I look forward to really making a difference.”

Oh my. It sounds as if the Chuck-ster has some major plans for his television debut? What do you think? Are we talking about a Chucky 2020 presidential bid or what?

Of course, this isn't the only CHILD'S PLAY-related news that's been making its way across the web. Several months ago, we'd learned that Lars Klevberg is in the process of remaking Mancini's original film with Aubrey Plaza, Brain Tyree Henry, and Gabriel Bateman set to star. The upcoming remake is now in its post-production phase, with a theatrical playdate set for June 21, 2019. Much like Mancini's 1988 horror classic, Klevberg's CHILD'S PLAY will center on a mother (Plaza) who gives her son (Bateman) a toy doll for his birthday, unaware that it's possessed by a deranged and stab-happy serial killer.

Are you excited to be re-introduced to one of Horror's most iconic killer dolls in 2019? What do you think of Chucky's re-design (pictured above) for Klevberg's remake? What do you think Mancini means by presenting fans with a "fresh take" on the character? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below?