Scott Derrickson and C. Robert Cargill, will bring an adaptation of The Night of the Hunter for Universal as is reported by The Hollywood Reporter. The acclaimed crime novel by Davis Grubb that was previously turned into a 1955 thriller starring Robert Mitchum.

Derrickson will write the script with Cargill, his frequent collaborator who also worked with him on Marvel Studios entry Doctor Strange. Amy Pascal will produce through her Pascal Pictures first-look deal with Universal Pictures. 

Hunter told the story of Harry Powell, a murderous ex-con who takes up the identity of a preacher in order to do his misdeeds. While in prison, a cellmate slated for execution tells Powell that he hid stolen cash with his kids. Upon his release, Powell finds the widow, woos her and marries her, all in a bid to find the loot. Things only gets worse for the kids from there.

The novel was adapted into a film in 1955, directed by Charles Laughton and also starring Shelley Winters and Lillian Gish, was selected for preservation into the United States National Registry in 1992 and has influenced filmmakers ranging from Guillermo del Toro to the Coen brothers.

Derrickson and Cargill are also working on Black Phone 2, which will reunite stars from the first film, including Ethan Hawke and Mason Thames. We are excited to be getting more projects from both Cargill and Derrickson.