A short film executive produced by Joe Dante (Gremlins) is set to hit the big screen. Teddy Bears are for Lovers will be the directorial debut of Michael Bonvillain, who worked as the cinematographer for the hit series LOST and 2008’s Cloverfield. Based on the short film by David Ernesto Vendrell, Matthew Hawksworth and Almog Avidan Antonir, the short follows a 20-something Casanova who becomes haunted by the teddy bears he gave to his ex-girlfriends. Dante executive produced the short film which released in 2016 and he was reportedly flattered to be a part of an “offbeat comedy-horror project that has some affinities with Gremlins.” The full short film is on YouTube and can be viewed below!
Director Bonvillain expressed his excitement with the project that he believes is, above all else, a love story:
“It’s rare to find a project with the right balance of humor, scares and emotions that can make a film entertaining on so many various levels. This project, which at its heart is a love story, builds so many different layers on top of it to create an absolutely horrifying and hilarious thrill ride that keeps you entertained from start to finish. Having been involved as a cinematographer on a number of great films over the years that blended elements of horror and thriller with comedy, I’m excited to direct a project that I think hits all those notes and is hugely entertaining,”
An intriguing tidbit about the project is that they are reportedly in talks with Peter Jackson’s Weta Workshop to build the terrifying teddy bears that will be seen in the film. The company is responsible for crafting special effects and props for numerous films and TV shows, including Xena: The Warrior Princess, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and of course, The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.
There is no release date as of yet.
Are you excited for a big screen adaptation of Teddy Bears are for Lovers? Let us know in the comments below.
