At New York Comic Con, the executive producers of Disney+’s new adaptation of the beloved “Goosebumps” spoke with the press. The producers, known for their expertise in creating thrilling and family-friendly content, shared insights into their approach to reviving the classic series.
The audience was treated to a sneak peek of what to expect from the new “Goosebumps” series, with promises of spine-tingling adventures, nostalgic callbacks, and fresh, modern twists. Their presence at the convention generated significant buzz and anticipation for the upcoming show, reminding fans that the eerie tales of R.L. Stine are set to captivate a new generation of viewers on the Disney+ platform.
During the press conference at New York Comic Con, Executive Producer Rob Letterman took the opportunity to discuss the approach to the new “Goosebumps” series compared to its earlier iterations. Letterman emphasized the importance of staying true to the essence of R.L. Stine’s iconic tales while also infusing them with a fresh, contemporary twist.
He explained that the advancements in technology and storytelling techniques since the original “Goosebumps” series allowed the creative team to dive deeper into the eerie and supernatural elements, making the scares even more captivating. Moreover, Letterman highlighted the commitment to bringing the beloved characters and monsters to life in a way that would resonate with both dedicated fans of the classic books and a new generation of viewers. His insights provided an exciting glimpse into the approach that would make the upcoming “Goosebumps” adaptation a thrilling and faithful reimagining of the beloved series.
“I think that the big difference was that like the books, this was serialized. And so it is complicated to tell a story that has lots of interconnections and stuff. And so that was the huge difference,” he said.
Nicholas Stoller, one of the Executive Producers behind the new “Goosebumps” series, emphasized the necessity for the franchise to evolve with the times when we asked him. He noted that while the original “Goosebumps” captivated a generation of readers and viewers, the modern audience has different expectations and a changed media landscape. Stoller stressed the importance of preserving the essence and eerie charm of R.L. Stine’s stories while adapting them to cater to today’s audience.
“Trying to get it elevated where it would appeal to people who may have grown up on the books and are in their thirties and forties now, as well as young, younger teens and people who have no experience with Goosebumps inspired us to make a show that works for everybody,” he said. “And we also tonally, in putting in addition to obviously the goose bumps and the horror stuff wanted to draw upon, like movies that we all loved as kids, like the John Hughes movies or, you know, like a TV show, like Freaks and Geeks or Edge of Seventeen likes that stuff that really respects kids.”
We asked Hilary Winston, one of the Executive Producers of the new “Goosebumps” series, about the show’s approach. Winston emphasized the importance of grounding the narrative in authenticity and transparency. She noted that, while “Goosebumps” is known for its supernatural and spine-tingling elements, maintaining a sense of relatability and emotional depth is key to engaging the audience. This approach ensures that the scares and thrills are not only entertaining but also resonate with viewers on a more profound level. By striving for a balance between the fantastical and the emotionally authentic, “Goosebumps” aims to deliver a compelling and unforgettable storytelling experience for its audience.
“This show is really grounded,” she said. “How would you actually react if this stuff was happening in your life, if you really found a haunted mask? Like, how would you act? And that’s one of the things that we always talked about in the writers and production room.”