Horror specialist Susco to adapt Crawlspace

Paramount Pictures has hired horror specialist Stephen Susco (The Grudge) to adapt Herbert Lieberman’s novel Crawlspace.

Story, published in 1971, centers on a couple who have retired to the country and decide to ask a shy young man who’s repairing their heater to stay for dinner. Mysterious occurrences mount over the next few weeks, culminating with the discovery that the man has taken up residence in the basement crawlspace. ”

Susco is also penning The Grudge 2 and wrote Prom Night for Columbia Pictures and Original Films.

Evolution Entertainment, which previously brought Saw to the screen, will develop the project for Paramount executives Alli Shearmur and Matt Jackson.