Universal Studios recently won a bidding war–with a reported seven-figure offer–for screen rights to the horrifying short story Sinkhole.
The story–penned by Leyna Krow–is described as a “thought-provoking genre piece that engages with questions of female perfection and identity,” according to Deadline.
Universal reportedly won the rights after beating out more than 10 other studios, and will develop the story, which first appeared in the literary journal Moss.
Sinkhole follows a young family that moves into a beautiful house, despite the huge sinkhole dominating the backyard. And, as it turns out, the sinkhole exhibits miraculous powers: It can fix broken or destroyed objects. Wonderful, but, as the story asks, what happens if a person goes down into it?
Oscar-winner Jordan Peele (Get Out) and Emmy-nominated Issa Rae (Insecure) have teamed up as producers on the project that does not yet have a shoot date set. Rae reportedly also is in talks to star in the film.
Montrel McKay and Sara Rastogi will also serve as producers, with Sara Scott, Universal’s senior vice president of production, overseeing the project on behalf of the studio.
Krow–who set Sinkhole on the Spokane, Wash. street where she lives–said she was inspired to write the story when a group of local writers were asked to dream up short stories on the theme, “I Married A Monster”. She said she was drawn to the idea of female perfection and the ways society can promote women as broken or imperfect.
Krow will act as executive producer of the film project, along with Alex Davis-Lawrence from Moss.
Keep reading Horror News Network for additional details on the production schedule and casting for Sinkhole.
