The Monster Squad

You know who to call when you have ghosts, but who do you call about monsters? Whether it's a bat in your belfry or a mummy in your microwave, THE MONSTER SQUAD ain't afraid of no ghouls!

Count Dracula has until midnight to retrieve an ancient amulet that will give him final control over the delicate balance between good and evil in the world. To help him, the creepy Count calls on some old friends: the weird Wolfman, grotesque Gill-Man, mildewed Mummy and freaky Frankenstein. As the ghoulish group gets closer to the amulet, it's up to THE MONSTER SQUAD, headquartered in the local treehouse, to pool its questionable resources and stop the monster mayhem!

The Monster Squad is one of those great cheesy 80s movies that's a little bit horror and a little bit comedy. It's sort of a cross between The Goonies and Ghostbusters, which is certainly a good thing. The plot of The Monster Squad revolves around a group of pre-teens who love monster movies and form a club (because that's what kids do). The group comes across the diary of ancient monster hunter Van Helsing (lucky them!) and discover that one day out of every century, the forces of good and evil reach a balance and a legendary amulet made of concentrated good becomes vulnerable. Uh oh.

Dracula and his crew of monstrous henchman intend to seize upon this opportunity. But not if the fledgling Monster Squad has anything to say about it! Dracula assembles his crew consisting of Dr. Frankenstein's monster, a werewolf, a mummy, and a fish guy that looks remarkably similar to the Creature from the Black Lagoon. Maybe it's his brother.

Thanks to Van Helsing's diary, the Monster Squad finds the magic amulet which just happens to be buried underneath the house the monsters are kicking it in. The gang barely escapes the clutches of Dracula, amulet in hand, and make for hallowed ground with their newfound treasure. In the meanwhile, Dracula blows up their clubhouse with a stick of dynamite. Count, they're only kids--what the hell, man?

At the last minute, the Monster Squad realizes that a virgin is required to read the incantation which will save the world. The group learns the hard way that one of the boy's sister is not as pure as she claimed (naughty girl!) and they find a 5 year old to read it. A giant battle ensues as the portal is opened that will suck the monsters away to wherever it is monsters live. Frankenstein turns out to be an alright guy and decides he has had enough, siding with the humans. Van Helsing appears out the portal and exacts his vengeance on Dracula, the monsters all get sucked in, and the world becomes ponies and rainbows and sprinkles once more.

Paramount Pictures is currently working on a remake of The Monster Squad. Rob Cohen, who produced the original, hopes to direct. Cohen will produce along with Platinum Dunes partners Michael Bay, Brad Fuller and Andrew Form. They are currently meeting with writers to flesh out a screenplay.

The original 1987 script was written by Fred Dekker and Shane Black before Lethal Weapon made the latter Hollywood's highest paid writer of the 1990s. Cohen was one of the producers on that film and many others before he moved into the role of director. The film is at Paramount after Platinum Dunes moved there last fall. David Ladd will be a producer on the film.

Check back regularly--additional details will be posted as they become available.