Dreamhouse (2017)

Dreamhouse is a 2017 American supernatural horror film directed by James Wan and written by Carey Hayes, Chad Hayes, Wan and Ryan Murphy. It is the first instalment in the Dreamhouse film series.

It stars Shiloh Jolie-Pitt as 10 year old Kimberley Francis, an imaginative girl who, along with her 17 year old brother Joshua (Spencer List), move in with their great aunt Patricia (Sigourney Weaver) after their parents death. After moving in, the pair learn of the strange goings on in their great aunt's ancient home.

Development
Ryan Murphy wrote the original script of Dreamhouse as the pilot for a television show that would ultimately become American Horror Story. He then approached Disney with an altered script appealing towards a younger audience and despite interest, the script was rejected.

Murphy shelved the project after the success of American Horror Story and did not pursue it further until a chance meeting with James Wan at the Golden Globes in 2015. The pair discussed the prospect of collaborating and Murphy revealed he had the perfect script, Wan brought in frequent collaborators Chad and Carey Hayes to help develop the script as a horror alongside Murphy in the summer of 2015.

New Line Cinema picked up the script in September 2015 and the film was given a release date of October 31st 2016 the same month.

Casting began in early 2016 and Sigourney Weaver was the first to be cast as the mysterious Great Aunt Patricia in January, Weaver said she was delighted to be participating in the production. Spencer List was then cast in the supporting role of Joshua Francis. The final role to be cast was Kimberley Francis, the young lead. It was announced in March 2016 that Shiloh Jolie-Pitt would join the cast in the role, this lead to Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie also joining the producing team.

New Line Cinema confirmed in April that the release date would be pushed back to July 21st 2017 due to a delayed production schedule, filming commenced on May 9th 2016 and concluded 4 months later on August 13th 2016.