Joe Hill’s comic masterpiece Locke & Key is finally getting it’s live-action chance next year on Hulu!
After a long stint in development hell and even a pilot episode back in 2011, Locke & Key will be premiering sometime next year on the Hulu streaming service. Hulu has been slightly behind Netfllix when it comes to self produced series, especially when it comes to genre shows, but that is rapidly changing. With the Marvel based series Runaways, and now IDW’s Locke & Key, they are showing that they can play ball with the best of them.
With a solid director now attached, and some equally great casting just getting underway, this show is on it’s way and it’s about damn time. Such an amazing comic!
So what is Locke & Key?
Welcome To Lovecraft
The series debuted in 2008, written by Joe Hill. Joe Hill’s name may not ring any bells, but he is the son of none other than one of the masters of horror; Stephen King. Not hiding in his fathers shadow, Hill has put out some great work of his own. Novels like NOS4A2 and Heart-Shaped Box have cemented his place as a popular horror writer, and Horns became a feature film with Daniel Radcliffe in the title role.
With some great artwork by Gabriel Rodriguez the first story arc, Welcome to Lovecraft, told the story of the Locke family and their home at Keyhouse in the town of Lovecraft, MA.
A house with quite the history.
Keyhouse has been in the Locke family since the time of the Revolutionary War, and has been home to several generations of the Lockes. The story begins with the tragic murder of Rendell Locke in San Francisco. Heeding the fathers words that if anything should happen to him, to return to the town of Lovecraft, the family packs up and moves. Together, his widow Nina and their three children, Tyler, Kinsey and Bode find that the house holds many secrets from the past. Strewn about the house are strange keys; keys that do more than just open doors.
They also find that there are others who want these keys, and some will do anything to get them.
For 5 years, and 6 story arcs, Joe spun one hell of a story. The Locke family went through hell and back, and I for one became very emotionally attached to the three kids. If you haven’t it’s definitely worth a read through, and I’ll be tackling it in more detail in a future article.
At Long Last
It’s still a bit too early to tell what Hulu’s Locke & Key will be like aesthetically, or how close it will be to the source material. Joe Hill will be one of the producers, his input will be key (pun intended) to keep the original feel alive. The director however is what gives this incarnation it’s greatest chance.
It’s none other than Andy Muschietti, the director of the 2017 Stephen King adaptation of IT.
Fresh of the success of a very successful opening last week, the critics have had nothing but praise for the atmosphere that Muschietti is capable of delivering. From a certain point of view, IT and Locke & Key have many similarites between them which should allay any doubts or fears about this project.
Producers on the series include Carlton Cuse (Lost, The Strain) and Scott Derrickson (Sinister, Doctor Strange). The added weight of both of these Hollywood talents ensure that this is not going the way of the failed 2011 pilot. That one received some positive reactions when it debuted to preview audiences, but ultimately went nowhere.
The Lockes
Family is an extremely strong theme in Locke & Key, so casting the family right is very important. And with a good portion of the main family just having been cast, they’re hitting the nail on the head.
First up, the matriarch. Frances O’Connor (The Conjuring 2) will play Nina Locke, head of the family who moves with her children after tragedy takes her husband.
Next up, is brother to the late Rendell Locke, Duncan. Played by Nate Corddry (Mom), Duncan grew up with his brother in Keyhouse, but most of his memories from that time are a little hazy. There is a very specific reason for this. He steps in to help Nina after the fallout from the murder, and to help the three siblings cope with the tragedy.
Impressed with his performance on his movie IT, Muschietti has cast Jackson Robert Scott in the role of Bode Locke. The youngest of the three, he plays an integral part in setting the series in motion after discovering something sinister in the wellhouse.
Fellow IT actor, Megan Charpentier is playing the angst ridden teen Kinsey Locke. Forced to navigate the usual stresses of attending a new school, it’s only made worse being the center of attention due to the family’s circumstances.
Still missing are the actors playing the oldest son Tyler, and the main antagonist of the show. I’d expect those fairly soon.
The stage is being set for what is hopefully an amazing story from the pages of a very successful comic series making the transition to TV. The art from the book, again thanks to Gabriel Rodriguez, is so good, I’m fascinated to see how the new medium handles some of the intricacies of the environment. Keyhouse and its surrounding areas are drawn to have a life of their own, hopefully the camera can capture that feel.
2018 can’t come fast enough!
Mike Harris hails from the suburbs of Chicago and has been a fan for most of his life. Working as an industrial radiographer and raising a family with his wife take up most of his time, but there’s always room for Star Wars books and podcasts! Just looking to give back to Star Wars and the fan community, it’s been a source of fun and learning for him for so long.