Slender Man is a creepy, wire-thin figure that needs no introduction. Revered as something of an Internet legend since its inception in 2009, ol’ Slender has stalked nightmares and effectively clawed his way into popular culture thanks to a string of nerve-shredding short films, an appearance in Microsoft’s über-popular Minecraft and even two video games of his own in Slender: The Eight Pages and Slender: The Arrival.
For such a presence in the horror scene, it’s small wonder why it’s taken so long for a Hollywood studio to fast-track a live-action feature film, but thankfully, Screen Gems jumped at the chance early last year. David Birke (Elle, 13 Sins) was appointed screenwriter on the nascent project, and though reports indicated Slender Man would head in front of cameras in late 2016, we now have word that Screen Gems’ horror picture is currently in production, with French director Sylvain White (Stomp the Yard, The Losers) doling out the scares.
Still, it seems that casting isn’t fully done just yet and Bloody Disgusting brings word today that Kevin Chapman has climbed on board to play Mr. Jensen, “an alcoholic emotionally defeated father.” He’ll star alongside Joey King, The Affair‘s Julia Goldani Telles, Captain Fantastic‘s Annalise Basso, Jaz Sinclair, Talitha Bateman and Alex Fitzalan. No word yet on who any of those individuals might portray, and plot details still remain thin on the ground, but with a sizeable cast now locked in, we should begin to learn more shortly.
Slender Man has been invited out of the woods and is now shooting ahead of its May 18th, 2018 debut in theatres around the world. As always, watch this space for further updates.
