Stan Lee may be known for being the driving force behind Marvel Comics, but it looks like one of the creator’s long-lost horror projects with Toxic Avenger creator Lloyd Kaufman is finally about to get a chance to shine after 50 years in limbo.
Lee may have been known for creating Spider-Man and several other iconic comic book heroes and villains, but in 1969 he joined forces with Kaufman to write the first draft of a script for a movie called Night of the Witch. While they finally completed work on the script in 1971, the movie has remained nothing more than a script, but now Jo Manco will bring the movie to life through his Little Sparks Films.
The story takes place on the bicentenary of a famous witch trial, when a Mexican-America woman finds herself accused of witchcraft. Described as a “socially-charged supernatural horror” movie by Bloody Disgusting, it seems that the film is finally going into production at a time when it can make a strong impact thanks to current social and political unrest.
While Lee is no longer able to see his work come to life, Kaufman will be on board as executive producer, and revealed the news in a special video. Additionally, a new documentary will chart the history of the script and its half a century journey.
“It’s a very powerful story,” says Manco. “Once you see what Lloyd is trying to say in his scripts, you figure out the meaning behind it all; the message. That’s what I’m most concerned with. Night of the Witch is just as relevant today as it was in 1970 — maybe even more so —and our mission is to make it hit harder, to make it more brutal, and to remind people these same battles have been fought for decades.”
“I know talent when I see it — my record proves it — and Joe is the right filmmaker to finally bring this story to life,” adds Kaufman. “Just as I handed Toxie’s mop to Macon Blair at Comic-Con, I’m handing Night of the Witch to Joe Manco. He’s ready, more than ready, to carry that torch and finally make this film.”
‘Night of the Witch’ May Not Be a Done Deal Just Yet
Despite Night of the Witch having a poster, Kaufman’s backing, a script, and director in Manco, the project is not yet fully financed. Currently, Manco is hoping to kick off filming next year, but the report notes that “some financing is in place to start pre-production,” but Manco has a bit of work to do to get investors involved to make up the rest.
However, this is a project that has plenty going for it. The combination of Lee’s popularity, plus the recent success of Macon Blair’s The Toxic Avenger reboot proving that Kaufman’s past creations still have plenty of life in them, suggests that getting investors involved might not be too tricky now the wheels are finally in motion.
