Stuffies attack as Michael Bonvillain helms Teddy Bears Are For Lovers

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Thirty years ago, my Teddy Ruxpin toy fell off a shelf in my bedroom in the middle of the night. Upon landing face-up on the floor, Teddy began speaking, only his batteries were real low. As a result, my stuffed animal friend emitted a terrifyingly demonic-sounding tale that I won't soon forget. From that day forward, Teddy, and his caterpillar pal, Grubby, were cast into the basement, and away from my fragile ears that were not yet equipped to cope with stuffed animals seemingly coming to life. I later sold them both, during a family garage sale, and have been waiting, shotgun in-hand, for their fated return ever since.

In today's movie news, it sounds as if Chucky will have to make some room for yet another child's plaything on the horror circuit, for it's been announced that LOST and CLOVERFIELD cinematographer Michael Bonvillain will be making his directorial debut with the dark comedy TEDDY BEARS ARE FOR LOVERS.

Based on the short film by David Ernesto Vendrell, Matthew Hawksworth and Almog Avidan Antonir, Bonvillain is currently in talks with Peter Jackson's Weta Workshop to manufacture the terrifying teddys. David Vendrell (CHILD OF WAR) will pen the script.

Set during a Valentine’s Day party, follows college playboy Collin and his current head-over-heels girlfriend Sarah as they are targeted by a group of blood thirsty, but adorable teddy bears who come to life seeking revenge for the broken hearts of Collin’s ex-girlfriends. Together, the couple must evade the teddy bears and earn the forgiveness of these begrudged and wildly different ex-girlfriends before the sun rises in order to break the curse, all while confronting whether their current relationship is meant to be.

Whoa! Is it me or is this starting to sound a bit like SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD meets Stuart Gordon's DOLLS? According to Deadline, the project is being produced by Endless Media and executive produced by Joe Dante of GREMLINS and SMALL SOLDIERS fame. When asked to comment on his involvement with the film, Dante expressed that he's flattered to have been asked to come aboard such an "offbeat horror comedy-horror project that has some affinities with Gremlins”.

Joining Dante in sharing his enthusiasm for TEDDY BEARS ARE FOR LOVERS, Bonvillain told the entertainment outlet that “It’s rare to find a project with the right balance of humor, scares and emotions that can make a film entertaining on so many various levels. This project, which at its heart is a love story, builds so many different layers on top of it to create an absolutely horrifying and hilarious thrill ride that keeps you entertained from start to finish. Having been involved as a cinematographer on a number of great films over the years that blended elements of horror and thriller with comedy, I’m excited to direct a project that I think hits all those notes and is hugely entertaining.”

Then, not to be left back at the station of the Hype Train Express, Endless Media's Najeeb Khuda, Gavin Lurie and Andrew Joustra expressed that “Teddy Bears immediately drew us in from page one because it has something that has become increasingly lacking at the multiplex… it’s a blast. Taking inspiration from the type of films we grew up with, this film hits every chord of why we love going to the movies: mixing just the right amount of thrills and scares with a fun joyride.”

Welp, you can certainly count me in for this one. It's been quite some time since we've seen an over-the-top horror premise such as this make its way into theaters. By my estimation, it sounds as if the movie has a bit of that '80s flare to it, with a healthy dose of love-gone-wrong for good measure. I for one would like to welcome out new teddy bear overlords to the fray, so long as I don't see Ruxpin leading the pack, knife in hand and looking to get stabby with yours truly.