M. Night Shyamalan Talks ‘Tales From The Crypt’ Crypt Keeper, Episodic Model [Wondercon]
When TNT announced thatM. Night Shyamalanwas spearheading a reboot ofTales from the Crypt, they were short on details. As of January, they had not committed to either a half-hour (like the original HBO series) or hourlong format, or even said whether they would feature a Crypt Keeper. The Crypt Keeper was a staple of the original EC comic books as the host of the macabre stories, and even more so on the HBO series as aKevin Yagherpuppet voiced byJohn Kassir.
Shyamalan was at Wondercon presenting the second season of his Fox seriesWayward Pines. /Film participated in roundtable interviews with Shyamalan and theWayward Pinescast and got a chance to ask him aboutTales from the Crypt. He confirmed that there will be a Crypt Keeper in hisTales. “There will,” Shyamalan said.
He had a bit more to elaborate on regarding the format ofTales from the Crypt. The HBO series was a sort of horrorTwilight Zoneanthology, where each episode was an entirely new story with a new cast and filmmakers. Recent anthology series likeAmerican Horror Storyhave experimented with season-long stories, only changing every season. Shyamalan was considering season-long arcs, but now favors the classic episodic model.
“You know, I can’t say 100% but I’m thinking right now, where I am, if you’d asked me this six months ago I would have a different answer, but where I am right now it’s more individualBlack Mirrorkind of stuff right now,” Shyamalan said.
TNT and TBS executiveKevin Reillyalso said the new show would utilize the EC comics, and teased a possible audience participation component when he spoke with reporters at the Television Critics Association press tour in January. We’ll have more onWayward Pineswith Shyamalan and others this week at /Film.Wayward PinesreturnsMay 25on Fox.
