Ray Bradbury’s novel The Halloween Tree is, like all of Bradbury’s work, a mix between fantasy, child-like whimsy and a bit of horror. It’s the sort of story that can connect with children while also playing on nostalgia with adults too.
Sounds like a good idea for a movie, or at least Warner Bros thinks so. They have hired screenwriter Will Dunn to adapt Bradbury’s novel for a new feature-length film. Dunn is a relative newcomer but has worked with Sony, WB and Disney. His spec script, The Fisherman, was featured on the Black List so he’s no slouch. I’m sure he happens to be a fan of Bradbury’s work too; every writer worth their salt is.
The Halloween Tree is about a group of kids hopping through time to find their kidnapped friend. Accompanied by the evil Moundshroud, the children visit Rome, Egypt, Mexico and other locations where they learn about the origins of Halloween and how other cultures celebrate. It’s something of a history-lesson-meets-coming-of-age-story and is all told with that comforting Bradbury narrative style.
The book was adapted once before, as an animated TV film back in 1993. Bradbury himself narrated that special. We obviously won’t get Bradbury’s involvement this time but hopefully they land someone special as Moundshroud, the bad guy who looks like a mix between Spider-Man’s The Vulture and Mr. Burns from The Simpsons. Maybe they could cast Larry David?
Side note: over a year ago, I stated that The Halloween Tree should be given a live-action adaptation. I just want to reiterate my brilliance.