After years in development, Locke & Key is finally getting a live-action adaptation thanks to Hulu. Created by Stephen King’s son Joe Hill and artist Gabriel Rodríguez for IDW in 2008, the comic was almost immediately considered for adaptation to television. The story focuses on three siblings who head back to their family home after the brutal death of their father. Once there, however, they learn the place is filled with secrets, power, and mysterious keys. Hunting them and the keys is a demonic presence, allowing the series to blend modern and classic horror elements to great acclaim.
Way back in 2010, Fox committed to a pilot for the series, even screening it at Comic-Con the following year. Sadly, it never made it air. From there, MTV considered picking it up before plans to turn it into a movie manifested in 2012. Fringe producers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci were all set to handle it, but the project too went quiet. Two years later, it seemed to have been revived, but feel apart soon after. Then, word broke last year that the project was alive again and it now seems the comic is finally on the verge of jumping to live-action.
Deadline is reporting that Hulu has ordered the series to pilot, with some impressive creatives behind the project. J.J. Abrams collaborator Carlton Cuse, best known for Lost, helped Hill develop the project for TV and will be producing. Meanwhile, Doctor Strange director Scott Derrickson will be returning to his horror roots by directing the pilot. All told, the new project looks promising and is certainly packed with talent.
The report goes on to state that Derrickson will actually direct multiple episodes, making the prospect that the show will see the light of day more likely. With Derrickson and Cuse’s involvement, the show will likely have the clout to earn a full season order. Since the end of Lost, Cuse has helped craft Bates Motel, The Strain, and Colony for TV, so his involvement is a good sign. Meanwhile, Hulu is eagerly snatching up comic book properties, with Marvel’s Runaways coming to the streaming service soon.
For IDW, it marks another success story. A few years back, they launched their production arm and have since brought Wynonna Earp and Dirk Gently to TV. Both have become critical hits, with second seasons on the way. Hopefully, Locke & Key will follow a similar path, as fans have been anxious to see it adapted for almost a decade now.
Locke & Key will air on Hulu sometime in the future.
Source: Deadline
