‘Hollow’: Sydney Sweeney To Star In Reimagining Of Classic Gothic Horror Tale From Director Lindsey Anderson Beer & LuckyChap

Longtime screenwriter and script doctor Lindsey Anderson Beer (had been part of Paramount‘s writers room for the “Transformers” franchise contributing to “Bumblebee” and previous version of “Maters of the Universe“) is gearing up for the publishing of her debut novel “Hollow” (a new take on the “Sleepy Hollow” lore), and there is already a feature film adaptation in the works, with the writer being tasked to both write the script and direct it.

Not only that, but Deadline adds they’ve been able to secure Sydney Sweeney (“Gundam”) for the lead role, and Margot Robbie‘s production banner LuckyChap (“Wuthering Heights,” “Barbie”) is in the mix as well. Instead of telling the supernatural story from the perspective of an awkward and cowardly Ichabod Crane, it will be from Katrina Van Tassel’s point of view, who will be portrayed by Sweeney in this new version that aims to remove the sexist overtones of the 17th-century tale. If you weren’t already aware, Beer’s first directorial effort was the film “Pet Sematary: Bloodlines,” which was a reboot of sorts and based on the iconic novel by Stephen King.

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“The novel positions Van Tassel not as a romantic prize, but as the central figure in a dangerous mystery and seductive supernatural love triangle. The story blends gothic atmosphere, psychological intrigue, and erotic thriller elements into a contemporary, high-concept reinvention of the classic tale.”

Disney‘s animated short and Tim Burton‘s live-action film starring Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci (in the part that Sweeney is going to be playing) are likely the best-known iterations of the classic American-set gothic tale (based on Washington Irving‘s 1820 short story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow“), featuring the headless horseman. A supernatural being that is missing a head, but that doesn’t stop the ghostly threat from terrorizing people at night and carrying/using a jack-o’-lantern as his head.

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Others among the producers of the new horror pic include Beer’s Lab Brew and Sweeney’s Honey Trap, the latter company being first announced this week, coinciding with the ending of Sweeney’s HBO series “Euphoria.”

The actress recently had some excellent box office success with the Paul Feig-directed thriller “The Housemaid,” which led Lionsgate to greenlight a sequel that sees her returning with Kirsten Dunst taking a new part in the second installment. She’s also co-starring with Noah Centineo (“John Rambo,” “Street Fighter”) in the anime (one of the most popular IPs in Japan, admittedly) adaptation “Gundam,” an upcoming Netflix film that will see a group of humans piloting giant military robots.