Overview
- The Monkey’s original toy was transformed from cymbals to a drum due to Disney’s trademark ownership, influenced by Toy Story 3.
- The upcoming horror film features a stellar cast, including Theo James and Elijah Wood, among others.
- Set in the 1990s, the film represents a shift from the originally planned 1980s setting, which was considered clichéd following the success of Stranger Things.
Fans of Stephen King are eagerly anticipating the release of The Monkey, a film poised to bring the author’s 1980 short story to cinematic life. Directed by Oz Perkins, this adaptation has undergone significant changes, largely influenced by another beloved feature from Pixar.
The Monkey is a comedy-horror film crafted by Osgood Perkins, also known for his 2024 work Longlegs, which starred Nicolas Cage as a mysterious serial killer and Maika Monroe as an FBI agent. The narrative follows a pair of twins who, grappling with their dark past, find that a cursed toy is once again wreaking havoc and triggering a series of chilling events. Leading the cast is Theo James, well-known for his role in the Divergent series, who plays the dual roles of the twins, alongside industry veterans such as Elijah Wood, Tatiana Maslany from Orphan Black, and Adam Scott from Severance.
The Impact of Toy Story 3 on The Monkey’s Direction
In an exclusive interview with Games Radar, Perkins disclosed that Disney’s ownership of the original monkey toy design necessitated a pivotal alteration in his film. The character was originally intended to invoke traditional cymbals but was switched to a drum. This decision stemmed from Disney’s trademark on toy monkeys depicted in film, particularly stemming from their appearance in Toy Story 3, rendering cymbals off-limits for a horror film adaptation.
“When I was approached for the project, the producer told me, ‘Oh, by the way, Disney owns the cymbals because of [the toy monkey in] Toy Story, ‘”Perkins recounted.“So it couldn’t be cymbals. What if it was a drum? It’s one of those things where a limitation becomes an opportunity. If you’re making movies and you’re not ready for that, you’re in real trouble!” Perkins expressed that he ultimately found the idea of a drum to be far superior, as its sound set an ominous tone.“I was like, ‘Hey, that’s awesome. The drum is better.’ It has this marching quality—it’s like, ‘Drum roll, please!’ before something significant happens. That’s far more effective than cymbals. So thanks, Disney. I prefer it!”
Additionally, Perkins elaborated on the choice of setting The Monkey in the 1990s. Initially, he envisioned it taking place in the 1980s, believing it to align with the essence of Stephen King’s style. However, he chose to shift decades due to the saturation of 80s references in popular culture, particularly highlighted by the success of Stranger Things. Moreover, the film faced other hurdles, as many TV networks rejected its promotional trailer due to what they deemed “excessive violence.”
The Monkey is set to hit theaters on February 21, 2025.
Source: Games Radar
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