Today The Hollywood Reporter released the news that Further Films will be bringing an adaptation of the novel WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE to the big screen! Really? Always?? Alright the title may be a drag but give it a minute. The 1962 novel comes from author Shirley Jackson and follows a reclusive, potentially murderous family named The Blackwood– primarily of sisters Merricat and Connie and their uncle Julian — who have been forced into seclusion after the mysterious lethal poisoning of several of their family members six years earlier. Merricat is the younger sister, caring for the agoraphobic Connie, while the ailing Julian increasingly is in the grip of his own obsessions. The plot is further complicated by the arrival of a dubious, long-lost cousin who seeks to secure the family’s fortune.
Alright. What did you get out of that? All I know is we’re in store for all kinds of f*cked up! THR points out that “those familiar with the feature take say it will combine literary and genre elements in what producers hope will transcend the more high-concept commercial horror stories that studios and their labels are making.” Interesting. So the studio is planning on making it more commercial for today’s horror audience? Please tell me they mean us and not the PG-13 crowd. Having never even heard of this novel I’ve got no idea what to expect.
Shirley Jackson’s son, Laurence Hyman will be producing alongside Further Films and Literal Media. Mark Kruger has already penned a draft of the screenplay. Kruger hasn’t done much but did score with the USA TV series THE 4400. The producers are currently casting so be sure to keep it here for updates.