Paramount Pictures and Walter Hamada’s 18hz have proactively secured The Littles, a new horror short written, directed, and produced by Andrew Duplessie, for feature development. Duplessie will expand the project into a full-length film, with 18hz overseeing the adaptation process.
The Littles recently debuted to a sold-out audience at New York Comic Con, featuring Violet McGraw among the attendees. The story follows 11-year-old Juliet, who, after stubbing her toe on a loose floorboard, triggers a chain of mysterious events. As she investigates, Juliet is drawn into a chilling, otherworldly encounter that exposes hidden truths about her home and forever alters her perception of reality.
The short blends live-action with stop-motion animation by Anthony Scott, known for The Nightmare Before Christmas aesthetic, and features cast members Janel Parrish and Dominic Sherwood.
Duplessie expressed enthusiasm about developing The Littles into a feature, noting that 18hz founders Walter Hamada and Nick Meyer immediately recognized the project’s potential. He highlighted a passion for stop-motion horror and described the positive reception to the short, emphasizing plans to broaden the universe and reveal what lurks beneath the floorboards.
Duplessie is not only a filmmaker but also an author and tech entrepreneur. His debut novel, Too Scared to Sleep, was acquired by HarperCollins and Warner Bros. and earned spots on Barnes & Noble and Amazon bestseller lists. He initially built an audience by posting serialized stories on Instagram and gained viral traction with the story Mystery Dog, which has surpassed 100 million views on YouTube. He is represented by Anonymous Content and attorney Miles Metcoff of Yorn, Levin, Barnes.
18hz recently renewed its production pact with Paramount. The company’s upcoming release includes Primate, a Johannes Roberts horror film set to hit theaters on January 9. Hamada, who previously served as DC Films chief and New Line Production EVP, joined Paramount in November 2022. In addition to spearheading New Line’s It franchise and Matt Reeves’ The Batman, his current slate includes an untitled horror collaboration with director André Øvredal, along with projects Familiar and Suffer Little Children from Caye Casas and Rodrigue Huart, respectively.
