According to THR, 20th Century Studios’ upcoming film adaptation of Stephen King’s short story The Boogeyman is officially changing its release strategy.
Initially set to make its debut on Hulu, the horror thriller has now been slated to arrive in theaters on June 2, 2023. The outlet notes that this decision was made after The Boogeyman had strong test screenings last December.
The Boogeyman is directed by Rob Savage (Host) from a screenplay adapted by Black Swan‘s Mark Heyman, based on the original drafts co-written by Akela Cooper with A Quiet Place scribes Scott Beck and Bryan Woods. The film stars Yellowjackets breakout Sophie Thatcher, Chris Messina (Sharp Objects), David Dastmalchian, Marin Ireland (The Last Man), Vivien Lyra Blair (Bird Box), and Madison Hu (Voyagers).
“The story follows a 16-year-old and her younger sister, still reeling from the death of their mother, who are targeted by a supernatural boogeyman after their father, a psychologist, has an encounter with a desperate patient in their house,” reads the logline.
The film adaptation is a production by 21 Laps. It is being produced by Shawn Levy, Dan Levin, and Dan Cohen. Beck and Woods, who have been attached to the project since 2018, are serving as executive producers.
First published in the 1973 issue of Cavalier magazine, The Boogeyman begins with a man recalling the recent events of his life to his psychiatrist Dr. Harper after the death of his children, who were killed by a creature lurking in the closet. The short story was later released in 1978 as part of King’s Night Shift collection.