“The Ghost Bride” creator Kai Yu Wu is resurrecting Casper the Friendly Ghost. Deadline reports Peacock is developing a live-action series about the iconic specter, with Wu writing and executive producing. Described as “a coming-of-age story that explores what it means to be alive,” “Casper” is a horror/adventure show that’s “reminiscent of ‘Riverdale’s’ darker interpretation of the Archie comics.”
Produced by UCP and DreamWorks Animation, the project will be set in high school. “When a new family arrives in the small town of Eternal Falls, Casper finds himself entangled in a mystery uncovering dark secrets that have been buried for over 100 years,” the source teases.
Casper first appeared in animated pics released by Famous Studios in the ’40s and ’50s. Harvey Comics have published Casper comics since 1952. The character has led five animated TV shows as well as a live-action film, the 1995 Christina Ricci-starrer “Casper.” Like the latter, the new Peacock series will likely use CGI effects.
“Hannibal” and “The Flash” are among Wu’s other credits. She served as head writer on “The Ghost Bride,” and is an EP on the upcoming Disney+ series “American Born Chinese” and Freeform pilot “AZNBBGRL.”