The veil of mystery covering Netflix's new Series Of Unfortunate Events has just parted somewhat, with the news that Barry Sonnenfeld will be directing. He's signed up alongside Mark Hudis (True Blood), who'll be executive producer and showrunner.
Netflix announced the show, based on Lemony Snicket's set of 13 unlucky kids' novels, last November, but until now very little has been revealed about the shape it's taking (the trailer at the bottom of this page mysteriously appeared a couple of months ago, but turned out to be fan-made and unofficial).
Sonnenfeld is a former Coen brothers alumnus who went on to direct the Men In Black trilogy and, perhaps more relevantly here, both Addams Family films. His macabre sensibility makes him the perfect choice for the series, and he already has a history with Snicket, having originally been tapped to direct the 2004 film with Jim Carrey. He developed a screenplay for that version with Snicket's real-life alter-ego Daniel Handler, but left the project over budgetary arguments with Paramount (Brad Silberling took it over). Looks like he's relishing the opportunity for a second crack of the whip.
“On the search for fantastic material that appeals to both parents and kids, the first stop for generations of readers is A Series Of Unfortunate Events,” Netflix’s Cindy Holland said last year. “The world created by Lemony Snicket is unique, darkly funny, and relatable. We can’t wait to bring it to life for Netflix members.”
Snicket isn’t so sure. “I can’t believe it,” he said, from an undisclosed location. “After years of providing top-quality entertainment on demand, Netflix is risking its reputation and its success by associating itself with my dismaying and upsetting books.”
Sonnenfeld is currently at work on the cat comedy Nine Lives, starring Kevin Spacey, Jennifer Garner and Christopher Walken. That's due out next year, and the new Series Of Unfortunate Events will also cast its leaden pall on Netflix sometime - probably later on - in 2016.