Director Oz Perkins‘ adaptation of Stephen King’s short story „The Monkey“ has undergone significant changes due to copyright issues involving Disney. The film, produced by NEON, originally intended to feature a cymbal-banging monkey, similar to a character from the „Toy Story“ franchise.
During the production process, Perkins learned that Disney holds the rights to the iconic cymbals from the Jolly Chimp toy, which appears in „Toy Story 3.“ This copyright complication forced the filmmakers to rethink the character’s design.
In response, Perkins opted to replace the cymbals with a snare drum, creating a new thematic element for the film. This decision transformed what could have been a setback into an opportunity for creative enhancement.
The storyline of „The Monkey“ follows twin brothers who encounter a mysterious wind-up monkey in their childhood, leading to a series of tragic events. As adults, they must confront the sinister toy once again when it resurfaces. The film’s release is scheduled for February 21, 2025.
Perkins also adjusted the film’s timeline, moving it from the 1980s to the 1990s and present day, to differentiate it from similar works like „Stranger Things“ and the recent „It“ adaptations.
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