Saturday Night Live may be back in session, but Kenan Thompson is heading to summer camp.
Thompson is set to produce a new “reimagining” of cult horror classic Sleepaway Camp, with the film’s original writer/director Robert Hiltzik returning.
Hailing from Thompson’s production company Artists for Artists (AFA), the new film will update the summer camp slasher for a new generation.
The original Sleepaway Camp has become a cult classic over the years since being released in 1983, when it was panned by critics but made $11 million on a $350,000 budget.
Sleepaway Camp spawned a sizable franchise over the years—if a convoluted one. The first two sequels, made without Hiltzik’s direct involvement, came in 1988 and 1989. A third sequel stalled out during production in 1992. In 2008, Hiltzik returned to write and direct Return To Sleepaway Camp, a direct sequel to the first film. Four years later, the aborted Sleepaway Camp IV—again made without Hiltzik—was finally completed using archival footage and released, picking up where the 1989 sequel left off.
“Excited to work with the original genius Robert and bring back to life a camp classic!!!” Thompson told Deadline.
AFA CEO and co-founder John Ryan Jr. echoed that excitement, revealing the project to be a culmination of the duo’s 20-year desire to bring a new installment to the franchise. “We’re staying true to the OG story while Robert adding in some insane new twists,” Ryan added. “We’re going crazy with the merch too!”
Thompson and Ryan co-founded Artists for Artists alongside in 2021 with a talent-friendly focus. The company aims to connect artists to high-level distribution while retain the rights to their work.
“I am both thrilled and humbled to be working with AFA on the reimagined Sleepaway Camp,” Hiltzik told Deadline. “Though I have been approached by several companies regarding the remake of Sleepaway Camp, only AFA has shared my vision and is excited to have me helm the film, therefore preserving the integrity of the original film for the fans, as well as introducing Sleepaway Camp to a whole new generation.”
AFA’s debut film offering was Good Burger 2, Kenan Thompson’s long-awaited follow-up to ‘90s classic Good Burger. Thompson reprised his role from the original alongside Kel Mitchell in the film, which premiered on Paramount+ in 2023. AFA company also produced Thompson and Kevin Hart’s Olympic Highlights show for Peacock.
Sleepaway Camp isn’t the only horror project on the docket for Thompson. Also in the works at his company is horror comedy Halloween Store with Anthony Michael Hall. Set on Halloween night, that film follows a group stuck in a Halloween costume store while a killer lurks in their midst.
Thompson is set to continue his record-breaking run at SNL when the show returns on October 4th with host Bad Bunny and musical guest Doja Cat.
