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Universal and Mattel have signed “M3GAN” filmmaker Gerard Johnstone to direct a live-action film based on the “Monster High” doll line, with Akiva Goldsman producing through Weed Road Pictures.

Launched in 2010, “Monster High” is based around the concept of high school students who are the children of famous monsters and mythical creatures such as Frankie Stein, Draculaura and Clawdeen Wolf. The line was launched with a companion web series that ran from 2010 to 2018 and has also spawned animated TV specials, YA novels and video games.

“Gerard’s unique vision and genre-blending style make him the perfect fit for this film. This is exactly what we’re building at Mattel Studios as we continue to work with top talent to tell fresh, unexpected stories from our rich portfolio of brands,” Mattel Studios President/Cco Robbie Brenner said in a statement. “‘Monster High’ is a fan-favorite franchise with endless storytelling potential, and...

(L-r): Josh Thomson, Chai Hansen, Luciane Buchanan and Emilie Cocquerel (Photo: Geoffrey Short)..

See Saw Films and Jump Film & TV have kicked off production on.The Legend of Monkey for ABC, Tvnz and Netflix..

To be shot on location around Auckland, the 10x30. children.s series is an adaptation of the 16th century Chinese fable Journey to the West. It.follows a teenage girl and a trio of fallen gods on a journey to bring an end to a demonic reign..

The Legend of Monkey will star Chai Hansen (Mako Mermaids, The 100) with Luciane Buchanan (Filthy Rich, Blue Rose), Josh Thomson (Terry Teo, 7 Days, The Project) and Emilie Cocquerel (Lion, An Accidential Soldier)..

Head writer is Jacquelin Perske (Seven Types of Ambiguity, Spirited), who will work alongside Craig Irvin (Nowhere Boys) and Samantha Strauss (Dance Academy)..

The lead director is Gerard Johnstone (Housebound, The Jaquie Brown Diaries), with Irvin to direct additional eps.

This New Zealand haunted-house romp moves between gore, laughs and eerie suggestion with aplomb

This off-kilter horror-comedy from writer/director Gerard Johnstone (best known for TV’s The Jaquie Brown Diaries) has something of the suburban satire of Peter Jackson’s Braindead mixed with the eeriness of Wes Craven’s The People Under the Stairs. When stroppy delinquent Kylie Bucknell (Morgana O’Reilly) is placed under house arrest in her childhood home, she comes to believe that her mother’s tales of hauntings may be more than just small-town madness. Enlisting the help of security-guard-slash-ghostbuster Amos (Glen-Paul Waru), Kylie unravels dark secrets about the house and its grisly history. Swerving between Babadook-style suggestion and outright splatter, Housebound juggles its tonal variations with aplomb. O’Reilly is terrific as the sneery discontent at the centre of the madcap maelstrom, while Rima Te Wiata walks a wonderfully fine line between pathos and...

Films Distribution has picked up international sales on horror comedy Housebound, which premiered to critical acclaim at SXSW this year.

The film revolves around a wayward teen who is sent to live with mother under house-arrest after being caught trying to rob a bank.

As well as having to deal with her chatterbox mother, she discovers the house is haunted, with both hilarious and terrifying consequences.

The poltergeist caper is a first feature for up-and-coming New Zealand director Gerard Johnstone, whose previous credits include The Jaquie Brown Diaries series, a popular, award-winning series in New Zealand.

Films Distribution co-chief Nicolas Brigaud-Robert described Houseband as “both funny and witty but also unpredictable and full of suspense”.

The deal was brokered between Sebastien Beffa of Films Distribution and producers Ant Timpson and Luke Sharpe of Semi-Professional Pictures alongside the New Zealand Film Commission.

“We’re looking forward to our first collaboration with Semi-Professional Pictures and our second film with...