Disney+ Greenlights ‘Just Beyond’ Based On R.L. Stine’s Graphic Novel Series
Disney+ has greenlit ‘Just Beyond’, a new horror/comedy anthology series, based on the best-selling BOOM! Studios graphic novels from ‘Goosebumps’ iconic children’s writer R.L. Stine, the streaming service has announced.
The 8-episode series is being created by Seth Grahame-Smith, who has a history of moving between horror and comedy as the author of the bestselling novels ‘Pride and Prejudice and Zombies’ and ‘Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter’, along with being screenwriter of Tim Burton’s ‘Dark Shadows’, ‘The Lego Batman Movie’ and the upcoming new take on ‘The Saint’ for director Dexter Fletcher starring Chris Pine.
“I grew up watching ‘Twilight Zone’ reruns and the original ‘Amazing Stories’ with my parents,” comments Seth Grahame-Smith. “I’ve always wanted to make a genre anthology series that families could enjoy together, and do it in a way that delivered for kids and adults alike. R.L. Stine has been a part of millions of childhoods, and Disney+ has already proven itself as a place that knows how to make high-quality shows for the whole family. I couldn’t be more excited to be working with both of them.”
The original ‘Just Beyond’ graphic novel is described as “a middle-grade supernatural horror series takes young readers Just Beyond the reality they know… Just Beyond their normal lives… Just Beyond the real world to an always surprising place of fantasy and fright.” The first book in the series, titled “The Scare School” follows Jess, Josh, and Marco who, after a chance encounter with a deadly creature that is stalking the school halls, find themselves whisked away to a horrifying realm beyond the school boiler room where they must unravel a terrifying mystery!
“Back in the day, we had a Goosebumps HorrorLand attraction at Walt Disney World,” adds author R.L. Stine. “It was one of the thrills of my life. Now I’m thrilled to be back with Disney for the TV series based on my graphic novels. Writing ‘Just Beyond’ for BOOM! Studios has been a joy from the beginning, and I’m so happy to have the wonderful screenwriter Seth Grahame-Smith bring the series to life on Disney+. How lucky can I be?”
Grahame-Smith and David Katzenberg will produce through their KatzSmith Productions banner. The series is produced by 20th Century Television, a part of Disney Television Studios. Seth Grahame-Smith will serve as writer and executive producer alongside David Katzenberg, Stephen Christy and Ross Richie. R.L. Stine is attached as co-executive producer.
‘Just Beyond’ is expected to premiere on Disney+ in Autumn 2021.
