When Disney+ announced the greenlight for a second season of Goosebumps last February, it came with a surprising twist. The adaptation of R.L. Stine’s popular middle-grade books would now be an anthology series. This approach differs from previous small-screen adaptations of Stine’s works, with each season focusing on a new set of teens facing unique challenges in different locations.
The second season, titled The Vanishing, introduces viewers to a new group of teens in New York City dealing with love triangles, parental tensions, and spooky terrors. With actors David Schwimmer and Ana Ortiz leading the adult cast, twins played by Sam McCarthy and Jayden Bartels must team up with other neighborhood teens to confront a creepy experience that follows them home from an abandoned fort in Queens.
In a December interview with THR, executive producers Winston and Letterman discuss the narrative potential of turning Goosebumps into an anthology series, the casting choices, and their collaboration with director Eduardo Sánchez, known for The Blair Witch Project.
The decision to shift to an anthology format for Goosebumps allows the creators to explore different genres and styles of horror while maintaining the visual tone of the series. Each season will feature a new storyline with its own set of characters and monsters, providing fresh and relatable experiences for viewers.
By balancing horror and comedy, the show aims to appeal to a wide audience, including fans of the original book series who are now adults. The structure of the series allows for the exploration of both scary monsters and human themes, ensuring that each episode maintains a compelling story and relationships.
The second season of Goosebumps dives deeper into horror elements, with an episode shot in a found footage style adding to the suspense. Working with director Sánchez on this unique episode brought a sense of realism and terror that defines the format.
With the help of Wētā FX, the show was able to enhance its creature designs and visual effects, including Schwimmer’s transformation in the new season. The collaboration with the VFX company elevated the quality of the monsters and added a level of artistry to the production.
Overall, Goosebumps: The Vanishing promises to deliver a thrilling and chilling experience for fans of the series. The second season premieres on Disney+ on January 10th.
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