EXCLUSIVE: The first big screen adaptation of House of Night, the popular YA fantasy romance book series by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast, has a new director in the shape of Johanna Watts.
A long-time collaborator of the film’s producer Davis Films, Watts previously directed the short Career Girl and is currently in post-production on an upcoming feature documentary The Gathering. House of Night marks her feature film debut.
House of Night is being produced by Victor Hadida (Resident Evil) for Davis Films and Molly Hassell (Return to Silent Hill) for Hassell Free Productions. It is executive-produced by book series author P.C. Cast. Highland Film Group is handling international sales and will continue pre-sales at the AFM.
Casting is in process and filming is being lined up for early 2027. Last year, the project went to market with DoP Rain Li directing, but that has now changed.
The House of Night book series has sold more than 31 million copies across more than 40 countries in 30 languages, making it one of the most successful and far-reaching recent YA franchises. The combined books have spent 153 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List, and 424 weeks on USA Today’s Best-selling Books list, with four books (Awakened, Hunted, Burned, and Tempted) peaking at #1.
The synopsis reads: “Zoey is marked to become a vampyre and enters the House of Night, a mysterious boarding school where teenagers with a genetic mutation learn how to survive the transformation from human to vampyre. Thrust into a seductive new world of magic, danger and desire, Zoey is surprised to discover she possesses rare powers, making her the object of both admiration and envy. As human-vampyre conflict brews, Zoey must learn to harness her growing powers, uncover the secrets surrounding her, and decide which friends she can trust – all while a dark, ancient threat lurks beyond the walls, coming for her and everyone she loves.”
Watts will be joined by creatives including Casting Director Denise Chamian (Top Gun: Maverick), Production Designer Clint Wallace (art direction Captain America: Brave New World), Costume Designer Mona May (Clueless), Cinematographer Joshua R. Turner (The Healer), and First Assistant Director Brett Hodgkinson (Return to Silent Hill).
Watts is in post-production on her feature documentary The Gathering, “an exploration of a nomadic, decentralized community who come together in celebration of peace, community service, and inclusion”. Watts’ short Career Girl was acquired by Condé Nast and garnered more than four million views online. She also directed a video series of Science Shorts for the National Academy of Sciences.
“Davis Films has brought together an outstanding team for this production,” Victor Hadida commented. “We could not be more excited to see them showcase P.C.’s amazing House of Night world for global film audiences.”
“Johanna dove head-first into the House of Night and has an impressive handle on its mythology and what makes the world so engaging,” said producer Molly Hassell. “She understands how to balance all of the right elements to make a special, modern, and magical experience.”
“I’m thrilled for Johanna to bring House of Night to the big screen,” continued author and executive producer P.C. Cast. ”Her vision brings a fresh take on the books’ beloved characters and story while staying true to my world.”
“It’s an honor to work within the enthralling and provocative world of House of Night. There’s such a richness to what P.C. and Kristin have created, from substantive characters to relatable themes of human connection and belonging,” said director Watts. “I feel a big responsibility to faithfully bring this story to screen for fans around the world.”
Watts is repped by WME Entertainment and Goodman, Genow.