Russell Hollander’s North Of Moorpark Developing Neil Kleid’s Upcoming Horror Novel ‘Return To The Motherfreaking Fun Factory’ For Film

EXCLUSIVE: Ahead of Blackstone Publishing’s October 6th publishing of Return to the Motherfreaking Fun Factory, a new horror novel by Neil Kleid, Russell Hollander‘s North of Moorpark has optioned rights for feature development. Here’s the book summary: Ten years ago, five children were lured into the dark machinations of a twisted, whimsical toymaker, forced to compete for a grand prize — all the toys they could ever dream of — and, as happened, their lives. Today four of those kids — now morally ambiguous young adults — seek revenge on the insane man who terrorized them, and once again find themselves trapped inside his factory of horrors, all while attempting to save the fifth member of their group, who “won” the contest … but was left behind. Hollander and Aisling Lynch are producing the feature take for North of Moorpark, alongside Josh Stanton and Brendan Deneen of Blackstone Publishing. Watch on Deadline A Xeric Award–winning graphic novelist, Kleid co-authored the comic books Brownsville, The Big Kahn, Medieval, Kings and Canvas and Nice Jewish Boys. Other works from the author include a graphic novel of Jack London’s The Call of the Wild with the late Alex Nino, a book adaptation of the seminal Marvel Comics storyline Spider-Man: Kraven’s Last Hunt, Powers: The Secret History of Deena Pilgrim with Brian Michael Bendis, the original X-Men novel The Phoenix Chase, and “Kid Omega Faces the Music,” an original X-Men short story, which was nominated for a 2022 Scribe Award. A producer and lit manager at Fourth Wall Management, Hollander previously oversaw production and development for Stars Road Entertainment, the former Sony-based banner of Sam Raimi and Josh Donen. As a producer, his recent credits include Alex Winter’s 2025 TIFF film Adulthood, starring Josh Gad, Kaya Scodelario, Anthony Carrigan and Billie Lourd, as well as Amazon MGM Studios’ forthcoming Honeymoon with Harry, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Kevin Costner. He exec produced Lionsgate’s action thriller Flight Risk, directed by Mel Gibson and starring Mark Wahlberg, and is currently developing both the teen comedy Open House for Sony’s 3000 Pictures and the R-rated holiday comedy The Worst Reindeer at New Line. Founded in 1987, Blackstone Publishing established its film and TV division in 2021. The company has since set up books and short stories with Netflix, Amazon, Paramount, NBC/Universal, Lionsgate, Legendary, AMC, A&E, Scott Free, Blumhouse, Amblin, Walden Media, Fifth Season, Picturestart/Arena, Makeready, Range Media, Anonymous Content, Imagine Entertainment, 21 Laps, Lion Forge and Iron Ocean, among others.