“Open Door,” Kevin Cate‘s viral sci-fi short with nearly 15 million views across YouTube shorts, TikTok and Instagram, will be adapted into a feature-length film through a six-figure development deal.
The news follows the success of breakout horror films “Obsession and “Backrooms” as the industry invests in YouTube creators and younger filmmakers with established audiences.
Cate wrote the spec script based on his short with “IO” screenwriter Charles Spano. With Sean Anthony Baker and Mia Matthews set to reprise their roles from the original three-minute short, “Open Door” follows “the surreal, genre-bending journey of Malcolm Powers,” according to an official statement. The short follows two people on an elevator ride from hell.
The film is in development with executive producer Rick Kearney and Cate’s Clinging Vine Films, the same indie production venture that produced Cate’s upcoming debut “Unbearable Christmas,” which stars Julia Stiles, David Cross and Stephen Root.
“I literally can’t go a day without someone asking me what our characters saw down there,”Cate said in a statement. “And I really, really can’t wait to show everyone — and give some hints along the way … We are ride or die with our original cast and crew who made this all happen.”
Timed with the development news, Cate has launched a website giving out clues and updates for fans of the short film, along with theories and behind-the-scenes content. Cate says the budgeting process for the film is expected to be finished later this month as the crew continues to raise money and consider additional casting options.
“And we’ve written some of the most incredible roles to make this a next-level project,” Cate concluded. “Right now, it’s just a matter of showing the demand and finding our village.”
Upcoming YouTube creators set to helm features include “Portrait of God” director Dylan Clark and “Mora” director Sam Evenson.