The film is based on the 2002 comic book published by IDW, written by Steve Niles and illustrated by Ben Templesmith. The three issue mini-series is set in the small town of Barrow, Alaska during a thirty day period when the sun does not rise. During this time, the town comes under siege from a group of vampires who are treating the town as an all-you-can-eat buffet.
While originally conceieved as a comic by Niles, the idea was met with little response by publishers. Niles then pitched the idea as a film, only to get the same response. When the comic was finally published by IDW, it was met with strong reviews and sales. The success of the book made stars out of Niles and Templesmith, and the original series has been followed up by various sequels.
The film is produced by Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert, a pair who know a little something about horror films involving people being isolated from the rest of the world...
The film is directed, however, by David Slade, whose career started in music videoes, including directing the video for the Stone Temple Pilots song "Sour Girl"...
Slade made his feature film directorial debut in 2005 with Hard Candy, a dark thriller which was met with strong reviews upon release...
In 2007, Salde followed up Hard Candy with 30 Days of Night. The film received mixed reviews and solid box office, but it was not the major hit hoped for by the studio. As such, Salde ended up directing another vampire film, though this time with much less gore. And less horror. And lesser acting. And - ah forget it, it's The Twilight Saga: Eclipse...
Anyway, rather than take the route of previous Twilight director Chris Weitz and use the box office success of that film to get a much more personal film made, Slade is apparently working on a new take on the Marvel Comics character Daredevil. With any luck, it'll go much better than the first time the character was adapted. We'll get to that film one of these days. But first, we've got 30 Days of Night on the next episode of 24 Panels Per Second!
Dave, I do not appreciate your tone with regards to the Daredevil film. For the record, I think Daredevil is a good, albeit slight, movie. Yes, the theatrical cut is messy, but the director's cut is quite good. Although, this is a discussion for another time. I do, however, look forward to what Slade has in store (if it ever gets off the ground).
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