Stagtown film adaptation: Everything we know so far
Stagtown is a horror webcomic created by Punko, and launched on the Webtoon platform on March 9, 2021. The series concluded in June 2023, amassing a total of over 18 million views. Punko, also known as M. Alice LeGrow, is recognized for her earlier work, Bizenghast.
A live-action film adaptation of Stagtown is currently in development. Wattpad Webtoon Studios and LuckyChap Entertainment are collaborating on the project, with Benjamin Brewer set to write and direct. Brewer co-directed The Trust (2016), a crime thriller featuring Nicolas Cage and Elijah Wood. In 2022, he served as the lead visual effects artist for the acclaimed film Everything Everywhere All at Once.
Wattpad Webtoon Studios' Head of Global Film, Jason Goldeberg, expresses excitement over Stagtown's film adaptation.
"We’re beyond thrilled to partner with LuckyChap, who tackle adaptations with singular filmmakers and undeniably bold ambition. We also couldn’t be more excited to bring the scares of ‘Stagtown‘ to life with Benjamin Brewer, an artist with an ingenious take on the source material that will make a generation-defining horror movie," he said.
The story of Stagtown follows Frankie and her friends, Jeremy and Felix, as they uncover a series of mysteries in their hometown. While residents of the town ignore the bizarre occurrences around them, Frankie and her companions choose to confront these horrors, leading them into a series of chilling events.
Plot of Stagtown
The story of the Stagtown webcomic follows Frankie, a young woman who becomes intrigued by the unexplained occurrences in her small hometown. The town's residents seem indifferent to the events that surround them, but Frankie cannot ignore them and decides to enquire further. Along with her close friends, Jeremy and Felix, she starts digging into the town's mysteries, uncovering dark secrets and sinister forces at play.
As the trio investigates, they encounter supernatural phenomena and strange behaviors that suggest something unnatural is controlling the town. Frankie realizes that the town’s stillness and the people’s compliance are not coincidences but part of a larger conspiracy. The deeper they go, the more they risk becoming trapped in the same spell that binds the other residents.
Notable works of Punko
Marty LeGrow, also known as Punko, is a comic artist with over 15 years of experience. In 2003, her short story Nickolai earned a runner-up spot in Tokyopop's Rising Stars of Manga competition. She susbequently created the eight-volume series Bizenghast, which was released from 2005 to 2012, and translated into twelve languages.
Later, she worked on Toyetica in 2017 for Action Lab Entertainment. Punko is currently under contract with Webtoon, where she has released series like Stagtown and Cinderella Boy.
Marty LeGrow's works are accessible on various platforms. The Bizenghast series can be read through digital libraries like The Ohio Digital Library. Toyetica is available for purchase on Amazon. Her webcomics, including Stagtown and Cinderella Boy, are published on Webtoon. As of now, Stagtown is the only one of her works announced for adaptation into a live-action film.
Wattpad Webtoon Studios in collaboration with LuckyChap Entertainment is developing the movie adaptation of Punko's Stagtown. The film is in the early stages of development, with casting and release dates yet to be announced.
Stay tuned for more news and updates.
