Shudder has announced that its upcoming Creepshow TV series anthology will pay homage to the man who wrote the original film by adapting Stephen King’s ‘Gray Matter’ short story with series showrunner Greg Nicotero directing the installment. The original 1982 Creepshow was a horror fan’s dream come true. Directed by horror legend George Romero from an original screenplay by King that paid homage to the EC horror comics of the 1950s, the film told five short stories like ‘The Crate’, ‘Father’s Day,’’Something To Tide You Over,’’The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verill,’ and ‘They’re Creeping Up on You.’ The film starred numerous actors playing against type, like Hal Holbrook, Leslie Neilsen, Ed Harris, and Ted Danson, though it also featured roles for King and his son (and future author) Joe Hill.
Now that Stephen King-related projects are among the hottest things in film and television at the moment, it’s no surprise that Shudder (AMC’s streaming service dedicated to all things horror) is eager to resurrect Creepshow as — what else? — a weekly anthology series. And that anthology will not only pay respect to the creators who made the 1982 film such a cult hit, but also continue in the tradition of attracting recognizable stars to help bring the terrifying tales to life. And in the case of ‘Gray Matter,’ Creepshow the TV series is right up there with the film in terms of impressive talent in front of and behind the camera.
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In an official announcement from Shudder, ‘Gray Matter’ will star Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad), Tobin Bell (Saw), and original Creepshow actor Adrienne Barbeau as the leads in a creepy tale that could only come from the mind of King. The installment is co-written by Byron Willinger and Philip de Blasi (The Commuter) and, as previously mentioned, directed by Nicotero himself. Those unfamiliar with the story of ‘Gray Matter’ can read a brief synopsis of the story below:
![Shudder’s Creepshow TV Series Adapting Stephen King’s Gray Matter](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Stephen-King-Creepshow.jpg)
“In “Gray Matter,” Doc and Chief, two old-timers in a small, dying town, brave a storm to check on Richie, an alcoholic single father, after encountering his terrified son at the local convenience store. The story, first published in 1973, is part of King’s best-selling 1978 collection, Night Shift.
With “Gray Matter,” Shudder has confirmed eight of the twelve segments that will make up Creepshow’s six-episode season. Previously announced segments include “By the Silver Water of Lake Champlain” by Joe Hill, “House of the Head” by Josh Malerman (Bird Box), “The Companion” by Joe Lansdale, “The Man in the Suitcase” by Christopher Buehlman, “All Hallows Eve” by Bruce Jones, “Night of the Paw” by John Esposito, and “Bad Wolf Down” by Rob Schrab.”
The story is not only perfectly suited to an anthology program like Creepshow, but also a great way to create a connection between the original film and the new series. It also doesn’t hurt that it has a great cast, and is being directed by the guy who is overseeing the entire project. King’s name continues to be a strong selling point for horror fans, and now that Creepshow is adapting one of his most chilling short stories, it’s a good bet this series is officially on their radar.
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Creepshow is expected to air sometime in 2019 on Shudder.