Elijah Wood can’t contain his excitement over the writer/director Osgood Perkins’ (Longlegs, I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House) upcoming supernatural horror comedy, The Monkey. An adaptation of Stephen King’s brilliant short story from 1980, The Lord of the Rings star recently told MovieWeb about his role in the 2025 film, calling it “really bloody.” He added:
“
It’s truly a horror comedy
and really funny. Listen, I’m a huge fan of Osgood Perkins. I have been for years. As a writer/director, he’s made some extraordinary films, and
I’m thrilled that he’s having a moment now
where people are finally recognizing how brilliant he really is.”
Perkins (son of Anthony Perkins of Psycho fame) has long been a horror auteur, but is definitely having a moment, nicely surfing off Longlegs, a terrifying horror romp that gave us one of the trippiest performances by the ever-eclectic Nicolas Cage. Wood had more to say about The Monkey, which also stars Theo James (The White Lotus), Sara Levy (Schitt’s Creek), Tatiana Maslany (She-Hulk), Laura Mennell (Batwoman), Christian Convery (Sweet Tooth), and Sarah Levy (Schitt’s Creek).
“When [Oz] called and asked for me to participate in this film, I leaped at the chance to do it,” Wood went on to say about the Stephen King project. “The script is great. It’s very unlike anything that Oz has made, primarily because he’s not really made anything in the comedy space.” He added:
It’s just a thrilling piece. I can’t wait for people to see it. It was a blast, and I have a very absurd, funny role in the movie that I’m excited about.
The wild tale, which is produced by James Wan, chronicles the plight of twin brothers who discover their father’s old, clanky monkey toy in an attic. After a series of truly gross deaths occur, the fellas decide to throw away the toy and get on with life, but alas, this is Stephen King… blood will spill yet again. Even if it is many years later.
Elijah Wood Has Stayed Busy with Bookworm
Meanwhile, Wood remains busy. His upcoming role in the adventure comedy Bookworm should delight fans. There’s something for everybody in the film, in fact. Shot in scenic New Zealand and directed by Ant Timpson (Wood’s director from Come to Daddy), the tale tracks 11-year-old Mildred (Nell Fisher), whose life is upended when her estranged father, Strawn, suddenly re-enters her life.
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Smart and savvy, she’s not about to let her pops — a washed-up, eccentric magician/illusionist — get her down. Instead, the duo embark on an epic adventure as Mildred wants to discover a mythological beast known as the Canterbury Panther. Toss in a bevy of other real-life threats, and you have the makings a memorable comedy adventure. And Wood is a hoot as Strawn, who must toss aside his ridiculous showbiz vibe. The Monkey will be released February 21, 2025. Catch Bookworm in theaters October 18.
Adapted from the story of the same name by Stephen King, The Monkey is a horror mystery film that follows twin brothers Hal and Bill, who discover a mysterious monkey toy in their father’s attic that seems tied to several grizzly deaths. After years apart, the twins learn that similar deaths have begun again and must reunite to destroy the monkey.
- Release Date
- February 21, 2025
- Director
- Osgood Perkins
- Studio(s)
- Atomic Monster