Back in 2015 it was announced that a feature film adaptation of the cult horror video game franchise Five Nights at Freddy’s was in the works, with Blumhouse Productions picking up the rights earlier this year and setting Chris Columbus (Home Alone, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone) to direct with a view to releasing the film in 2020
However, it seems we may have to wait a little longer before we take a trip to Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, as game creator Scott Cawthorn has revealed that the original script has been tossed and the screenplay is set to receive a page-one rewrite.
“OK guys, I had a script written; Jason liked it, and Chris Columbus liked it too, but I tossed it,” Cawthorn posted on the game’s forums. “I had a different idea for it, one that I liked better. I take responsibility for this delay; it’s my fault. I’m determined to find the right story. I’m sticking to what I’ve always said, either the right movie gets made or no movie gets made. I hate delaying a project that’s already seen so many delays, but I have to go with my instincts on what I think will be exciting and interesting, and what I think the fanbase will really want to see. If that means that I have to start over ten more times, then that’s what I’m going to do. The good thing is that each attempt gets better and better, in my opinion. So, despite the delays, it’s going in the right direction.”
Five Nights at Freddy’s was first released in 2014, and sees the player taking on the role of a night security guard at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, a restaurant where animatronic animal characters come to life after hours.
