Scott Derrickson has signed on to direct an adaptation of Davis Grubb’s classic 1953 novel The Night of the Hunter for Universal Pictures. He will also work on the script with his long-time collaborator Robert Cargill. The two have worked together on projects such as The Black Phone, Doctor Strange, and other film projects.
The Night of the Hunter tells the story of Harry Powell, “a serial killer posing as a preacher, who marries a widow solely to gain access to her deceased husband’s hidden fortune. Powell’s stepchildren, John and Pearl, become the targets of his relentless pursuit as he seeks the money hidden by their father.”
The book was first adapted into a feature film by United Artists in 1955. Charles Laughton directed the classic movie, which starred Robert Mitchum. It’s seriously a great film, and if you’ve never seen it, you should check it out!
This seems like a great project for Derrickson and Cargill to take on. They’re a great pair of filmmakers, and this is the kind of story that seems to fit their storytelling strengths. The two are currently working on their next film with Miles Teller, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Sigourney Weaver. They are also working on The Black Phone 2, which will go into production this fall.
The movie will be produced by Peter Gethers and Amy Pascal.
