Sony Pictures Television has acquired the rights to Weird NJ Magazine, and are developing it into a live-action horror-comedy series. The magazine was created by Mark Moran and Mark Sceurman, and first published in 1993. The creators wanted to focus on lesser-known attractions and stories with a focus on things that are odd, unique, or just plain weird.
Weird NJ gained a huge following, and recently published their 58th issue. Moran and Sceurman have become experts on the garden state’s folklore and unique history. It even spawned the much broader “Weird U.S.,” which Sony has also acquired the rights to.
The television adaptation will reportedly revolve around an estranged family who is forced by destiny to protect New Jersey from evil. They must work through their issues while battling a supernatural adversary who plans to destroy the entire state and then the world. The show will have original characters while utilizing the real-life mythology and legends of New Jersey. In the spirit of the source material, the series will be highlighting the back roads and haunted places found all over the state.
The series is being created by Kieran Valla co-creator of FX’s “Little Demon,” filmmaker and New Jersey native David Kaufmann, and Vertigo Entertainment. Valla and Kaufmann worked to develop the story and Vertigo Entertainment brought the project to Sony. Valla will write the script for the pilot and Kaufmann is set to executive produce under his Devonsheer Media banner. Roy Lee and Aengus McLoone will also be executive producing for Vertigo Entertainment.
There is currently no release date set for this project, but we’ll let you know what we hear about this and other news.
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