Paul Tremblay on ;Horror Movie,; Robert Downey Jr. Adapting His Book

Horror author Paul Tremblay developed a deep love of spooky stories early on, and he tackles the haunted films genre with his newest novel, “Horror Movie” (out Tuesday via William Morrow and Company). The plot concerns a ’90s cult classic horror movie which left all but one cast member dead and the dark stories that are dredged up as a remake comes closer to reality.

Professionally, Tremblay is no stranger to scary movies, as his 2019 novel “The Cabin at the End of the World” was adapted into M. Night Shyamalan’s 2023 film “Knock at the Cabin.” Next up is an adaptation of his 2015 book “A Head Full of Ghosts,” which is set to be produced by Robert Downey Jr. and directed by Austrian filmmakers Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala, who also helmed dark horror films like “Goodnight Mommy” and “The Lodge.”

Tremblay spoke with Variety about horror movies both real and imagined, what it’s like having your work adapted by Hollywood heavyweights and what movies actually scare him.

How did you come up with the idea of “Horror Movie”?

It was one of those fun, random discoveries I wasn’t anticipating writing this book. Sometimes I’m forced to plan it out with my book deals, but this one … it was winter or early spring of ’22. I’d had another book idea, but I wasn’t loving it. My friend and great writer Stephen Graham Jones, we just shoot each other recommendations. He said, “Hey, you should watch my friend…