J. Zachary Thurman Signs With WME

EXCLUSIVE: J. Zachary Thurman signs with WME for representation in all areas. His latest short It helps, premiered at Fantastic Fest and won Best Short at Screamfest and the Audience Award for Best International Short Film at Toronto After Dark. Scott Derrickson and C. Robert Cargill’s Crooked Highway is set to produce a feature adaptation of the short, with Thurman attached to write and direct. Additionally, Thurman is attached to direct the 2024 Black List horror script CRUSH, written by Michael Jones. 18Hz’s Walter Hamada is producing and Nick Romano is executive producing. Thurman first broke out with Finley, a horror-comedy short about a demonic puppet who repeatedly fails to kill the college students living in his home. When intruders arrive, however, he becomes their unlikely protector. The viral short has amassed more than 18 million views on YouTube and inspired memes, fan recreations, and Halloween costumes. Thurman is developing a feature adaptation of Finley. Watch on Deadline His short The Deep End recently debuted on Tubi as part of Bite Size Terror, a horror anthology series executive produced by Peter Rice. Thurman continues to be managed by Magnolia Entertainment and Hirsch Wallerstein Hayum Matlof and Fishman.