'Slender Man' is a figure of horror born and bred in the confines of internet culture. He quickly went viral and his legend became a thing of jokes and nightmares, depending on how easy you are to scare. His myth originated on '4chan' back in 2009 and his haunting face-less image was soon spread through memes, consistently seen in Halloween costumes and stories re-imagined among friends. The tall mannequin-like figure is creepy enough to scare people simply by appearing in an image, however Sony has picked up the tale for a full-length movie rendition.
As the New York Times writes, "It’s rare for a meme to attract Hollywood’s attention, but three production studios see potential in turning Slender Man into a video game, a TV show, a virtual reality experience or even a (very creepy) doll," as well as a mainstream movie. Although Slender Man has been the focus of other short films and was said to be an influence for the massively popular 'American Horror Story' series, this will be the first time the character will see his debut on such a large scale.
Meme-Inspired Horror Films
Sony is Giving 'Slender Man' his Big Screen Debut
Trend Themes
1. Meme-inspired Horror Films - The trend of turning internet memes into horror films presents an opportunity for the entertainment industry to tap into unique and viral content for potentially high-grossing movies.
2. Video Game Adaptations - The interest in turning 'Slender Man' into a video game highlights the opportunity for the gaming industry to create immersive and terrifying experiences based on popular internet legends.
3. Extended Universe Storytelling - Expanding the 'Slender Man' universe through TV shows, virtual reality experiences, and even dolls opens up avenues for cross-platform storytelling, creating a cohesive narrative across different mediums and engaging audiences on multiple levels.
Industry Implications
1. Film Production - The film industry can explore the potential of meme-inspired horror films to attract audiences looking for unique and thrilling cinematic experiences.
2. Gaming - The gaming industry can capitalize on turning 'Slender Man' and other internet legends into immersive video games, catering to horror gaming enthusiasts seeking chilling interactive experiences.
3. Entertainment Merchandise - The merchandising industry can seize the opportunity to produce 'Slender Man' dolls and other related products, capitalizing on the fandom and building a market for horror-themed collectibles and memorabilia.