‘Black Diamond’ Folk Horror Comic Series Getting Feature Adaptation from Ernest Dickerson for Fangoria Studios

Fun news this afternoon, as the folk horror comic series Black Diamond is getting a feature film adaptation from a favorite of mine, Ernest Dickerson (Demon Knight), reports Variety.

Dickerson will direct and executive produce from a script by Brendan Columbus, creator of the comic series.

The outlet notes that the film has been compared to The Wicker Man and Hitchcock and , “follows Owen and Victoria Welch on a family ski trip that spirals into a nightmare. When their son is abducted by a mysterious cult, the couple is pushed to the brink and faced with a soul-crushing ultimatum: sacrifice another child or lose their own forever.”

The project hails from Fangoria Studios and Panick Studios. Producing for Fangoria Studios are Tara Ansley, Abhi Goel and Armen Aghaeian. Panick Studios’ producers include Columbus, Adam Schlagman and Kris Longo. Rose Geddes will executive produce with Dickerson.

Said Columbus, “Black Diamond was my attempt to put everything I love about thrillers on the page. I want to make sure it feels like you physically can’t leave the theater or else you’ll miss the next twist or turn. With his masterful cinematic eye and his great story sense, Ernest is going to scare the hell out of everyone with this one.”

I’ve long considered Dickerson to be an incredibly talented yet somewhat underrated director in the horror realm. The filmmaker began his career as a cinematographer, having shot films such as Do the Right Thing, Malcom X and Def by Temptation. That keen eye led to directing cult favorites like Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight and Bones, as well as frequent guest spots on shows such as Masters of Horror and Fear Itself. He always brings exciting, often terrifying, visuals to his work, so you know cults and a winter setting like Black Diamond should give the director plenty to work with.

This will be the first feature Dickerson has directed since in 2017, so I could not be more excited for his return behind the camera on a big horror project.