Book synopsis(Creepers): On a cold October night, five urban explorers—“creepers”—gather at a run-down Jersey Shore motel, planning to break into the abandoned Paragon Hotel. Once a grand art deco landmark, the Paragon is now crumbling and set for demolition.
They’re joined by New York Times reporter Frank Balenger, whose motives go beyond the story. As the group enters a tunnel beneath the hotel, it becomes clear they’re not just uncovering history—something far darker is waiting inside.
Do Not Enter is an upcoming horror-thriller directed by Marc Klasfeld and based on David Morrell’s 2005 novel Creepers. Written by Stephen Susco, Spencer Mandel, and Dikega Hadnot, the film stars Jake Manley, Adeline Rudolph (in her film debut), Francesca Reale, Laurence O'Fuarain, Nicholas Hamilton, Javier Botet, Kai Caster, and Shane Paul McGhie.
David Morrell is a Canadian-American author known for his debut novel titled First Blood, which inspired the hit 1982 film and the Rambo franchise starring Sylvester Stallone. He has written 28 novels, with his work translated into several languages. Here is his Novelpro Junkie Interview:
They’re joined by New York Times reporter Frank Balenger, whose motives go beyond the story. As the group enters a tunnel beneath the hotel, it becomes clear they’re not just uncovering history—something far darker is waiting inside.
Do Not Enter is an upcoming horror-thriller directed by Marc Klasfeld and based on David Morrell’s 2005 novel Creepers. Written by Stephen Susco, Spencer Mandel, and Dikega Hadnot, the film stars Jake Manley, Adeline Rudolph (in her film debut), Francesca Reale, Laurence O'Fuarain, Nicholas Hamilton, Javier Botet, Kai Caster, and Shane Paul McGhie.
David Morrell is a Canadian-American author known for his debut novel titled First Blood, which inspired the hit 1982 film and the Rambo franchise starring Sylvester Stallone. He has written 28 novels, with his work translated into several languages. Here is his Novelpro Junkie Interview:
1. List three adjectives to describe your book “Creepers”?
Moody, scary, mysterious
2. Could you tell us about your journey writing “Creepers”?
I read a newspaper article about urban explorers: history and architecture enthusiasts
who explore old buildings that have been sealed and abandoned for a long time. Many
of these buildings remain as they looked when they were abandoned. Bankruptcy and
tax problems are some of the reasons that buildings are abandoned. Exploring them
can feel like going back in time. But because the buildings are in a state of decay,
they’re dangerous. Thus, the urban explorers need lots of safety equipment, such as
hardhats and carbon monoxide detectors. At the same, the buildings are often
restricted. It can be challenging to find a way to get in.
3. Did you have other titles in mind besides “Creepers”? If so, what were they?
The nickname for urban explorers is “creepers.” I knew from the start that the
CREEPERS would be my title.
4. Do you ever get writer’s block? What do you do to get back on track?
On occasion, I have difficulty with a story. That usually means there’s something in the
story that I don’t yet understand or that my mind doesn’t want to address. That’s when I
write a written conversation with myself to try to understand the problem. This technique
and others are discussed in my writing book, THE SUCCESSFUL NOVELIST: A
LIFETIME OF LESSONS ABOUT WRITING AND PUBLISHING.
5. Congratulations on Creepers (film title: Do Not Enter) being made into a feature film by Lionsgate and Suretone Pictures, could you tell us how you found out that your story would be adapted?
The film rights for a book need to be optioned or else sold outright before a production can
move forward. The first option for CREEPERS was in 2005 when the novel was published. The
novel was re-optioned many times since then. There were many scripts. Film development can
take a long time. The process for FIRST BLOOD (Rambo) was ten years. I was aware of the
CREEPERS process as it moved along. Jordan Schur, the CEO of Suretone, a co-production
company for the film, kept me informed either by texts and phone calls or else with a lunch that
we shared when he was in Santa Fe, where I live.
6. What are your thoughts about the film being renamed “Do Not Enter” instead of the book title “Creepers”?
The production company was concerned that the title CREEPERS might make people think of
an earlier film JEEPERS CREEPERS. Titles get changed for a variety of reasons such as this
one. DO NOT ENTER is effective and echoes the DO NOT DISTURB sign that was on the
novel’s cover.
7. Director Marc Kalsfeld had worked on several music videos with superstars such as
Beyonce, Jay Z, Eminem, Mariah Carey, Britney Spears, Shakia, Aerosmith and more. How
does it feel that his debut feature is a film adaptation from your story?
I had a phone conversation with Marc but didn’t have a chance to meet him, given that the
movie was shot in Bulgaria. He has a wonderful sense of style.
8. Were you ever on set? If so, could you talk about your most memorable moment?
Not on set because the film was shot in Bulgaria.
9. Did you make a cameo in the film? Were you involved in the adaptation in any manner?
No.
10. Which one of your stories would you like to see made into a TV series or film?
Most of my novels have been optioned or else sold outright for movie production. But it’s difficult
to get a move made. All sorts of things can go wrong. Michael Douglas bought the film rights to
my novel EXTREME DENIAL, but the project didn‘t move forward. When Pierce Brosnan was
James Bond, he was going to star in an MGM production of my novel BURNT SIENNA, but for
various reasons, that didn’t move forward. Currently I have 4 projects in film development, but
whether they’ll go before the cameras is a matter of fate.
11. What is your favorite horror film growing up?
I’m fond of moody horror. One of my favorite horror films is the 1944 Ray Milland/Gail Russell
black-and-white ghost story THE UNIVITED.
12. What is your fondest memory about Penn State and how did your school experience
shaped you into becoming the writer that you are today?
My graduate-school experience at Penn State continues to affect my life. It was there I met
Philip Young, a noted Hemingway scholar, who taught me how to write non-fiction prose. There I
met another Philip: Philip Klass, a science-fiction author whose pen name was William Tenn. I
don’t write science fiction (only a few stories), but writing is writing. The generous lessons that
Philip Klass taught me stay with me to this day. I dedicated FIRST BLOOD to “Philip Klass and
William Tenn, each in his own way.”
13. Last question, if you could pick a day to relive over and over again, what day would it be and why?
I try never to look back.
Moody, scary, mysterious
2. Could you tell us about your journey writing “Creepers”?
I read a newspaper article about urban explorers: history and architecture enthusiasts
who explore old buildings that have been sealed and abandoned for a long time. Many
of these buildings remain as they looked when they were abandoned. Bankruptcy and
tax problems are some of the reasons that buildings are abandoned. Exploring them
can feel like going back in time. But because the buildings are in a state of decay,
they’re dangerous. Thus, the urban explorers need lots of safety equipment, such as
hardhats and carbon monoxide detectors. At the same, the buildings are often
restricted. It can be challenging to find a way to get in.
3. Did you have other titles in mind besides “Creepers”? If so, what were they?
The nickname for urban explorers is “creepers.” I knew from the start that the
CREEPERS would be my title.
4. Do you ever get writer’s block? What do you do to get back on track?
On occasion, I have difficulty with a story. That usually means there’s something in the
story that I don’t yet understand or that my mind doesn’t want to address. That’s when I
write a written conversation with myself to try to understand the problem. This technique
and others are discussed in my writing book, THE SUCCESSFUL NOVELIST: A
LIFETIME OF LESSONS ABOUT WRITING AND PUBLISHING.
5. Congratulations on Creepers (film title: Do Not Enter) being made into a feature film by Lionsgate and Suretone Pictures, could you tell us how you found out that your story would be adapted?
The film rights for a book need to be optioned or else sold outright before a production can
move forward. The first option for CREEPERS was in 2005 when the novel was published. The
novel was re-optioned many times since then. There were many scripts. Film development can
take a long time. The process for FIRST BLOOD (Rambo) was ten years. I was aware of the
CREEPERS process as it moved along. Jordan Schur, the CEO of Suretone, a co-production
company for the film, kept me informed either by texts and phone calls or else with a lunch that
we shared when he was in Santa Fe, where I live.
6. What are your thoughts about the film being renamed “Do Not Enter” instead of the book title “Creepers”?
The production company was concerned that the title CREEPERS might make people think of
an earlier film JEEPERS CREEPERS. Titles get changed for a variety of reasons such as this
one. DO NOT ENTER is effective and echoes the DO NOT DISTURB sign that was on the
novel’s cover.
7. Director Marc Kalsfeld had worked on several music videos with superstars such as
Beyonce, Jay Z, Eminem, Mariah Carey, Britney Spears, Shakia, Aerosmith and more. How
does it feel that his debut feature is a film adaptation from your story?
I had a phone conversation with Marc but didn’t have a chance to meet him, given that the
movie was shot in Bulgaria. He has a wonderful sense of style.
8. Were you ever on set? If so, could you talk about your most memorable moment?
Not on set because the film was shot in Bulgaria.
9. Did you make a cameo in the film? Were you involved in the adaptation in any manner?
No.
10. Which one of your stories would you like to see made into a TV series or film?
Most of my novels have been optioned or else sold outright for movie production. But it’s difficult
to get a move made. All sorts of things can go wrong. Michael Douglas bought the film rights to
my novel EXTREME DENIAL, but the project didn‘t move forward. When Pierce Brosnan was
James Bond, he was going to star in an MGM production of my novel BURNT SIENNA, but for
various reasons, that didn’t move forward. Currently I have 4 projects in film development, but
whether they’ll go before the cameras is a matter of fate.
11. What is your favorite horror film growing up?
I’m fond of moody horror. One of my favorite horror films is the 1944 Ray Milland/Gail Russell
black-and-white ghost story THE UNIVITED.
12. What is your fondest memory about Penn State and how did your school experience
shaped you into becoming the writer that you are today?
My graduate-school experience at Penn State continues to affect my life. It was there I met
Philip Young, a noted Hemingway scholar, who taught me how to write non-fiction prose. There I
met another Philip: Philip Klass, a science-fiction author whose pen name was William Tenn. I
don’t write science fiction (only a few stories), but writing is writing. The generous lessons that
Philip Klass taught me stay with me to this day. I dedicated FIRST BLOOD to “Philip Klass and
William Tenn, each in his own way.”
13. Last question, if you could pick a day to relive over and over again, what day would it be and why?
I try never to look back.
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