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EXCLUSIVE: Scandi crime master Jo Nesbø is adapting his recent novel The Night House, a Stephen King-esque tale set in small town America in the mid-eighties, into a horror movie to film next spring.
The project combines Nesbø with veteran producer Fredrik Wikström Nicastro (A Man Called Otto) of Hope Studios and writer and director Jesper Ganslandt, co-creator and director of hit Netflix show Snabba Cash. Ganslandt will direct, and co-script with Nesbø.
The synopsis reads: “Recently orphaned, Richard has been sent to live with relatives in the remote US town of Ballantyne. One day, during an innocent prank in a phone booth, Richard shockingly witnesses his classmate getting sucked into the phone receiver – disappearing without a trace. The local police suspect Richard to be responsible and no one believes his story. No one, except Karen – a fellow teenage outsider. Together Richard and Karen must embark on a quest to solve the mystery and to prove his innocence, but soon realise evil forces and black magic are closing in on them.”
The well-received book debuted in the U.S. in 2023 and is due to be released in a further 40 languages.
Nesbø is currently showrunning the Harry Hole series for Netflix based on his acclaimed international book series, and is well known for a string of other novels that had big screen adaptations such as Headhunters and The Snowman.
Fredrik Wikström Nicastro, founder and CEO of Hope Studios, said: “Jo’s novel is both gripping and original – an entertaining roller-coaster of frights, twists and turns. Hope Studios was created to be a vehicle for creators and storytellers to realise projects with meaningful themes and to delve into the human condition. Horror has long been a way of exploring the darker side of humanity, and through that offering insight and sometimes, unexpectedly, hope. To have Jesper leading the project with his deeply individual sensibility is a great gift – and we are excited to be embarking on this adaptation with Jo’s involvement and support.”
“I’m thrilled to be working with such a fine director,” added Jo Nesbø, “Falkenberg Farewell is one of my absolute favorite Swedish films.”
Jesper Gantsland commented: “The prospect of writing a script together with such a masterful author who has sold more than 60 million books could easily feel a bit daunting. But, Jo Nesbø was incredibly generous and humble from our very first conversation. And to my great joy, we also happen to share the same goal which is turning this into a seriously disturbing psychological horror movie, unlike anything you’ve ever seen before!”
Hope Studios’ current slate also includes a feature adaptation of Fredrik Backman’s New York Times bestselling novel Anxious People. The book is being adapted for the screen by David Magee (Life of Pi), with the project reuniting the team behind A Man Called Otto, starring Tom Hanks.
Nesbø is represented by Salomonsson Agency, WME, and Tricarico Chavez.
