What do you do with a library of “Goosebumps” books and you want to reach a new audience? Combine the stories, producers learned.
“We were lucky enough to have access to all of the ‘Goosebumps’ books and there’s a lot to choose from,” Executive Producer Pavun Shetty says. “Our creators, Rob Letterman and Nick Stoller, came up with a structure where, for each of the first five episodes, we’re following a different character who’s dealing with one of the issues from the books. Midseason, they come together and realize what’s going on.”
That sampling then led them to create a new world – one that hadn’t been realized in R.L. Stine’s novels. Because they’ve got a new frame for their stories, Shetty and fellow executive producer Conor Welch can continue the series beyond its first 10 episodes.
Even better? The result can appeal to both children and adults.
“As long as it starts with a relatable nugget, you can kind of explode it to be a big spectacle,” Welch says.
Executive Producer Conor Welch
Tracking a mystery
In the series, five teenagers investigate the death of a teen named Harold Biddle. In the process, they discover truths about themselves and their families.
“We deal with a lot of personal issues these kids are dealing with,” Shetty says. “So when they discover their teacher might be possessed by a ghost, that’s not anywhere near as scary as being rejected by someone you like when you ask them on a date.”
Biddle’s ghost manages to inhabit the body of one of the students’ teachers. That prompts him to act in mysterious ways and up the creep factor.
Justin Long, who plays the teacher, “was perfect to do both these really comedic physical set pieces but also be super scary and scared,” Shetty says.
“Justin is someone who is surprising at every turn,” Welch adds. “Every single take is a little bit different and so we got a really, really fun, compelling performance out of him.”
An earlier “Goosebumps” series (based on more than 60 books and spin-offs) focused on different characters in each episode; two films brought in actor Jack Black as Stine.
Executive Producer Pavun Shetty
It starts with the word
The new “Goosebumps,” which will air on Hulu and Disney+ beginning Friday, is a chance for fans to rediscover their love for the books.
“Conor and I are the same age, so we kind of grew up on these books,” Shetty says. “We’re looking back on him with a sense of nostalgia now. It was really important to us to put those things together and made a show that felt appealing to kids and adults at the same time.”
Recognizable characters, situations and moments pop up during the season.
“The intention would be that these characters would continue (into a second season),” Welch says. “A lot of these new actors sort of hit their stride and found a really fun chemistry pretty early on in the season. We’d love to see those dynamics play out for many more episodes to come.”
Stine – who played a big part in both producers’ reading lives as children – read the new series’ scripts and watched cuts of the show.
“One of the most exciting parts was when he first watched the pilot and reported back that he loved it,” Welch says.
That praise, Shetty adds, was meaningful. “Goosebumps” is a “massive, massive book series with over 400 million copies in 32 languages. We wouldn’t have done this without his blessing and support.”
Zack Morris stars in "Goosebumps."
There's trouble brewing for five students in "Goosebumps." From left, Zack Morris, Ana Yi Puig, Miles McKenna, Will Price and Isa Briones.
Lessons learned
While working in broadcast television, both producers had an opportunity to learn how a great idea gets through. Having access to a “giant piece of intellectual property” was a big hurdle, Welch says. “But we also had to articulate why this was going to be thrilling and different. Having been on the other side helped us speak the language a little bit to get our very original idea through.”
Key, though, is a good show. “If you have a really good show that’s authentic and you’re willing to take risks, the audience will find the show,” Shetty says.
"Goosebumps" premieres Friday on Hulu and Disney+.
Five teenagers have to figure out what happened when spirits were unleashed in their community in "Goosebumps," a new interpretation of the R.L. Stine boosk.
