‘Resident Evil’ Director Zach Cregger Co-Writing ‘Siren Head’ Movie

Hollywood’s intrigue with horror stories born from the internet has surged, especially after ‘Backrooms’ demonstrated that a viral creepypasta could achieve real box office success. In the months that followed, studios have been racing to secure rights to various internet urban legends, leading to intense bidding wars over properties that originated as fan-made illustrations and YouTube videos.

This frenzy peaked in July when Warner Bros. triumphed in a five-studio bidding war for the rights to ‘Siren Head,’ the viral horror creation by Canadian illustrator Trevor Henderson. The character, a towering, skeletal figure with two sirens for a head that emits distorted sounds to lure its victims, has garnered billions of views across TikTok, YouTube, and Roblox since its introduction in 2018.

Now, this project has attracted one of horror’s most notable names, who is sharing insights into his involvement. Zach Cregger, who recently directed ‘Weapons’ and is currently promoting his upcoming ‘Resident Evil’ adaptation, is co-writing the ‘Siren Head’ script alongside ‘Whalefall’ director Brian Duffield, who will also direct the film.

Cregger has addressed the meme-inspired origins of the project, emphasizing that his interest in the story extends beyond merely capitalizing on an internet trend. “Whether it was an internet meme or not, I would be interested in telling this story,” Cregger stated, according to Deadline, asserting that a compelling concept should stand independently of its origins.

This perspective counters a common critique aimed at studios that rush to adapt internet phenomena, which suggests that the allure lies solely in existing brand recognition rather than authentic storytelling potential. Cregger’s remarks imply that he and Duffield have discovered elements in Siren Head’s mythology worthy of exploration on their own merits, rather than relying solely on the character’s vast online following to drive ticket sales.

The online following for Siren Head is significant. The character first gained widespread attention through YouTuber Markiplier, who began featuring Siren Head on his channel in 2020, helping establish the cryptid as a staple of horror content across social media.

Warner Bros. clearly views the character as its answer to A24’s ‘Backrooms’ success, which also began as an internet creepypasta before becoming a theatrical hit. The studio outbid competitors including Sony, Universal, Paramount, and Disney’s 20th Century Studios, with reports indicating the deal reached into the low seven figures before finalizing producer and talent packages.

Duffield brings his own credentials to the project, having directed ‘Spontaneous’ and ‘No One Will Save You’ to positive reviews, along with his upcoming survival thriller ‘Whalefall,’ featuring Josh Brolin and Austin Abrams. Meanwhile, Cregger continues to build on his momentum following ‘Weapons,’ which earned Amy Madigan an Academy Award, and his anticipated take on the ‘Resident Evil’ franchise.

Cregger and Duffield are producing ‘Siren Head’ alongside Roy Lee and Andrew Childs from Vertigo Entertainment, the production company behind ‘Barbarian,’ as well as Scott Glassgold of 12:01 Films. Henderson himself is attached as an executive producer, ensuring that the character’s original creator has a direct role in the film’s adaptation.

Currently, no release date, casting details, or plot specifics have been disclosed for the project, which remains in the early stages of development following its rights acquisition. Given the rapid transition of ‘Backrooms’ from viral sensation to theatrical release, it wouldn’t be surprising if ‘Siren Head’ follows a similarly expedited production timeline.

With two established genre filmmakers now committed to treating the material as a narrative worth telling in its own right, ‘Siren Head’ is poised to become one of the more anticipated horror projects in Hollywood. Whether the final film can live up to the extensive online mythology surrounding the character remains to be seen.

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