Bad news, everyone: Jack Black might not be returning to reprise his role of R. L. Stein in Goosebumps 2.
If, like us, you were pleasantly surprised by how good the first Goosebumps film was, this news is a real blow. Nothing has been confirmed just yet, but we’re still biting our nails.
The news comes after the announcement that Goosebumps 2, which is being directed by Rob Letterman, might have gained a writer in Rob Lieber. According to Variety, Lieber’s script doesn’t feature Black’s character. It’s also one of several circulating around Sony for consideration. Other scripts that are being looked at do feature R. L. Stein, and are based on other books in the Goosebumps series.
There’s no deal in place for Jack Black to come back, but there could still be room for the star depending on his work schedule and the film’s budget.
The first Goosebumps was a modest hit, but it didn’t make enough of an impact at the box office to warrant a massive budget for the sequel, and Variety reports that Black would be asking for between $6 million and $8 million to return.
Goosebumps 2 will hit cinemas on 19 October 2018. Get all the latest genre news with every issue of SciFiNow.