Author J.D. Barker is putting a new spin on the chilling 1990 horror film Flatliners, with a new novel based on the concept.

The story will breathe new life into the franchise that began in 1990 with director Joel Schumacher and a crazy fantastic ensemble that featured young actors Kiefer Sutherland, Julia Roberts, Kevin Bacon, Billy Baldwin and Oliver Platt. The film was remade in 2017, but this book will not retell that same story exactly.

The original was released by Columbia, and followed a group of five med students experiment by placing each other in near death experiences, giving them glimpses of the beyond, before they are abruptly revived. The results become more and more dangerous as they test the consequences of tampering with the boundaries between life and death.

Barker said that scribe Peter Filardi got back the rights to his original script, and the author piqued his interest with a twist to the original that takes the reanimation tale down a different road than the original or a later remake. The novel is based on that script, not the movie, and Intellectual Property Group’s Joel Gotler will broker screen rights.

“We’re thrilled to have J.D. Barker on board for this project,” said Filardi. “His ability to craft suspenseful, thought-provoking stories makes him the perfect choice to reinvigorate the ‘Flatliners’ franchise for a new generation.”

Barker, whose books include Dracul, The Fourth Monkey and Behind the Closed Door, plans to lean into the supernatural element more than Filardi did with the original.

“The concept of Flatliners has always fascinated me,” Barker said. “I’m honored to have the opportunity to explore these themes of mortality, consequences, and the unknown in a novel format. Fans can expect a story that honors the spirit of the original while pushing into new, uncharted territories. We’re going to scare the hell out of you.”

I love the original movie, and this sounds like it could be a great read!

via: Deadline