Interview: Nicholas Stoller and Rob Letterman – Goosebumps (2023)

Nicholas Stoller and Rob Letterman Interview

I got to chat with Executive Producers Nicholas Stoller (Neighbors, The Muppets) and Rob Letterman (Pokémon Detective Pikachu, Goosebumps 2015) about the exciting new Goosebumps series. Catch us discuss what inspired developing the Disney+ series and making it a narrative rather than an anthology.

The horror comedy television series developed by Rob Letterman and Nicholas Stoller for Disney+ and Hulu is based on the best-selling book series of the same name by R. L. Stine. The series will abandon the adaptation format of the 1995 original TV series to focus on a serialized style of storytelling instead, while still featuring many of the iconic Goosebumps monsters and items.

“Goosebumps” follows a group of five high schoolers as they embark on a shadowy and twisted journey to investigate the tragic passing three decades earlier of a teen named Harold Biddle ― while also unearthing dark secrets from their parents’ past.

• “Goosebumps” is inspired by the best-selling book series by R.L. Stine and draws on elements from five of the most popular stories.
  • The stories include: “Say Cheese and Die!,” “The Haunted Mask,” “The Cuckoo Clock of Doom,” “Go Eat Worms!” and “Night of the Living Dummy.”
  • Fan-favorite ventriloquist dummy, Slappy, will appear in the series – leaning into the beloved nostalgia for the “Goosebumps” franchise.

• “Goosebumps” stars Justin Long (“Barbarian”) as Mr. Bratt and Rachael Harris (“Lucifer”) as Nora, alongside newcomers Zack Morris (“EastEnders”) as Isaiah, Isa Briones (“Star Trek: Picard”) as Margot, Miles McKenna (“Guilty Party”) as James, Ana Yi Puig (“Gossip Girl”) as Isabella and Will Price (“The Equalizer”) as Lucas.

• The series is centered around the mystery linked to the tragic passing of a teen boy named Harold Biddle, three decades earlier.
  • Strange things start to happen when Mr. Bratt (played by Justin Long) moves into the old Biddle House that was abandoned for many years after the mysterious death of teen boy Harold Biddle. At the end of the first episode, we discover that Mr. Bratt has become possessed by the spirit of Harold Biddle. 
  • From possessed totems to supernatural encounters, it’s anybody’s guess on what will happen next.
    • The haunted totems that the teens encounter are: a camera, a mask, a cuckoo clock, worms and a scrapbook. 

• Friendship, courage and perseverance are key elements in the series.
  • While the supernatural encounters that the group experiences is fantastical, the series is rooted in relatable themes that most teens experience in their everyday lives. 
  • Isaiah, Margot, James, Isabella and Lucas’ lives become interconnected by this strange haunting and they must learn to work together to solve the mystery haunting them and protect their town. 

• Nicholas Stoller (“The Muppets”) and Rob Letterman (Pokémon Detective Pikachu”) developed the series and serve as executive producers, alongside Hilary Winston (“Community”), Neal H. Moritz (“Fast & Furious” franchise), Iole Lucchese (“Clifford the Big Red Dog”), Pavun Shetty (“The Boys”), Conor Welch (“Platonic”), Caitlin Friedman (“Stillwater”), Erin O’Malley (“New Girl”) and Kevin Murphy (“Desperate Housewives”). James Eagan (“DC’s Legends of Tomorrow”) and Nick Adams (“BoJack Horseman”) serve as co-executive producers.

• The acclaimed cast also features several recurring and guest stars, including Ben Cockell (“Harold Biddle”), Rhinnan Payne (“Allison”), Leonard Roberts (“Ben,” Zack’s dad), Rob Huebel (“Colin,” Margot’s dad), Francoise Yip (“Victoria,” Isabella’s mom), Laura Mennell (“Eliza,” James’ mom) and Lexa Doig (“Sarah,” Margot’s mom).

• From Disney Branded Television, “Goosebumps” is produced by Sony Pictures Television. Production took place in Vancouver, British Columbia.

• Published by Scholastic, “Goosebumps” is one of the best-selling book series of all time, with more than 400 million English-language books in print, plus international editions in 32 languages.

“Goosebumps”
Disney Branded Television
Live-Action Series

Premiere Date:
Friday, Oct. 13, on Disney+ and Hulu
10 (five episodes at launch, then week over week) Sony Pictures Television

Starring:

Justin Long (as Mr. Bratt) Rachael Harris (as Nora) Zack Morris (as Isaiah)
Isa Briones (as Margot) Miles McKenna (as James) Ana Yi Puig (as Isabella) Will Price (as Lucas)

Nicholas Stoller (developed by) Rob Letterman (developed by) Hilary Winston

Neal H. Moritz Iole Lucchese Pavun Shetty Conor Welch Caitlin Friedman Erin O’Malley Kevin Murphy

James Eagan Nick Adams

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIiUwbBxZo8