Blumhouse has won the adaptation rights to a popular comic book series after Netflix decided not to move forward.
In 2021, it was announced that Netflix acquired the rights to adapt the popular comic book series Something is Killing the Children. Written by James Tynion IV, with Werther Dell’Edera as the artist, it’s deemed one of the most successful comic book horror series since AMC’s The Walking Dead. The series has sold more than 5 million copies globally and has won multiple Eisner Awards, including Tynion’s consecutive three-time win for Best Writer.
However, Blumhouse shared that they have acquired the rights to Something is Killing the Children. In their press release, the studio plans to adapt a movie and an adult animated series, with the latter spearheaded by Tynion.
Blumhouse founder Jason Blum expressed his excitement for the developing adaptations, saying that “It’s easy to see why audiences and critics alike have praised Something is Killing the Children.”
He also praised the content of the horror comic book in that it “taps into our most primal fears, luring us into a fascinating world and introducing Erica Slaughter, the ass-kicking hero we all wish we had to fight the monsters that lurk in the dark.”
Tynion spoke about the excitement over this deal by saying the following:
“Something is Killing the Children is the comic book that changed my life and career forever. Finding a partner who understood the potential of Erica Slaughter and world Werther Dell’Edera and I have built was crucial, and we have found that partner in Jason Blum. Nobody understands horror better than Blumhouse, and I can’t wait for the world to see what we all have planned together.”
Something is Killing the Children is an ongoing series that launched in September 2019. BOOM! Studios is the publisher for the comic book series. The story follows the heroine, Eric Slaughter, who hunts monsters that kill children.
When Netflix first had plans to adapt the series, Trevor Macy and Mike Flanagan (Doctor Sleep, The Haunting of Hill House) were the writers and executive producers. However, they dropped the television adaptation since Netflix wanted to take a new direction.
Development hopes were revived when Dark creators Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese were to helm the adaptation. By late 2024, Netflix decided not to move forward with its live-action series.
While adaptation hopes for Something is Killing the Children are now resurrected by Blumhouse, there are currently no release details. Stephen Christy, Tynion, and Dell’Edera will act as producers for the Blumhouse movie. Blum will be the producer, while Shaun Sutton and Ryan Turek are executive producers. As for the animated series, Tynion and Dell’Edera will be executive producers.