IT screenwriter Gary Dauberman was one of the first to cash-in following the film’s massive box office haul in late 2017. Just a few weeks after IT arrived in cinemas, he signed on to pen the adaptation of the Nickelodeon show, Are You Afraid Of The Dark? At the time, it was a potentially exciting fit. Unfortunately, Dauberman has now left the project.
An interview with /Film confirmed the news. Dauberman stated: “That’s one of those things I’m no longer a part of. I just had a different vision to make it and thought it best to part ways. I don’t think that’s out there. It’s unfortunate but… that’s sometimes how it goes”.
This is the latest setback for the project. Back in March it was pushed from its planned October release date and off Paramount’s 2019 schedule altogether. This was a surprising move as the film was expected to line up with Nickelodeon’s planned small screen revival of the series. Both were targeting a spooky October release. Now the fate of both projects looks up in the air.
During its original run, the show was an anthology series focusing on a group of teens who would tell each other spooky stories revolving around ghosts, monsters and aliens while around a campfire. It originally lasted from 1990-1996, before a brief revival between 1990-2000. In total, seven seasons and 91 episodes of the show aired.
One theory floating around right now is that Paramount doesn’t want to compete with Guillermo Del Toro‘s similar Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark. Both productions are kid friendly, although Del Toro’s project is set for an August release.
Who knows if that is indeed the case. We’ll wait and see if Paramount gives the film a new date soon.
#Peace.Love.AreYouAfraidOfTheDark
