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Jack Black's 'Goosebumps' Secret: 'I'd Never Even Heard Of Them'


Is there anyone else who could take on the role of legendary author R.L. Stine, who has sold over 400 million copies of his beloved children's horror books?

We think not.

Jack Black plays the "Stephen King of children's literature" in the big screen adaptation of the popular Goosebumps novels, hitting Aussie cinemas on January 14.

But the actor confessed to Yahoo7 Entertainment that before he read the script, he hadn't even heard of the books.

Jack Black as author R.L. Stine in 'Goosebumps'. Photo: Roadshow Films
Jack Black as author R.L. Stine in 'Goosebumps'. Photo: Roadshow Films

"I had never read any Goosebumps books...I didn't even know of their existence!" he says.

"I read the script before I heard about them...and then I read some just to do my research and get into the Goosebumps spirit."

In the film, teenager Zach (Dylan Minnette) teams up with the daughter of the young adult horror author after his fictional creatures come to life and are set free in their town - a plot that is sure to appeal to anyone who grew up reading the popular books in the nineties.


The film - which is aimed at a younger audience - keeps the spirit of what made the Goosebumps books so appealing: plenty of scares and "cool creatures", as Black puts it, but nothing "nightmare-inducing".

"It's not The Shining...we're not making Paranormal Activity or The Walking Dead," laughs the actor.

"[We made] a movie for kids but one that's also funny and thrilling for their parents, or any grown-ups who wander into the theatre."

Black also voices Slappy the Dummy in the film, a character he says is
Black also voices Slappy the Dummy in the film, a character he says is

The actor credits his two boys - aged seven and nine - as major motivations to appear in the film.

"It was kind of the reason I did the movie, because I knew my kids would dig it. They're kind of my miniature test market research centre that I have at my own house, so it's not hard for me to know what line not to cross to go into the truly terrifying territory," he says.

Black's take on the legendary author - turning him from the man-behind-the story in real life to the starring role on screen - is deserving of praise, but even the actor was nervous about what R.L. Stine would think of the film.

Black is full of praise for his young co-stars, admitting
Black is full of praise for his young co-stars, admitting

"[His thoughts on the film] were really important to me," he says.

"Of all the critics, he's the only one that matters, because it's his creation and you want him to be proud of it. It would really suck if he went on Twitter and said, 'Don't go see this film, I'm not proud of it!'" says Black.

Of course, R.L. Stine has done just the opposite, praising the movie online...even joking about its chances this awards season.

The winning formula for the author's praise?

"We didn't base this story on any one of his books, it's a mashup of a lot of his characters in the spirit of his books...I think we did a good job of that," Black says.

With 62 Goosebumps books to work with, surely there's room for more film adaptations - and for Black to return as R.L. Stine?

"I have a few ideas," teases the actor.

"I think R.L. Stine should have an arch rival author of children's books. Stephen King is the obvious choice...or maybe it could be R.L. Stine versus J.K. Rowling in a battle royale monster mash," he laughs.

"I think that would be pretty rad."

Goosebumps is in Australian cinemas from January 14, 2016.

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