Don Mancini, the creator of Chucky, has signed with Independent Artist Group for representation, Deadline reported. At the agency, Mancini will focus on developing the next phase of the killer-doll franchise and a slate of original film and television projects. He keeps attorney Joel VanderKloot of VanderKloot Law.
The signing comes as Mancini works to bring Chucky back to theaters. In April, he told fans at Steel City Con in Pennsylvania that he was writing a new feature. Bloody Disgusting reported soon after that he would direct it, and that the film would continue the story of 2017’s “Cult of Chucky” and the television series. Mancini has said he wants the new movie to return to the darker tone of the early films and 2013’s “Curse of Chucky.” No studio, cast or release date has been announced.
Mancini introduced the character in the 1988 horror film “Child’s Play” and has written every installment in the original film series. He directed “Seed of Chucky” in 2004, “Curse of Chucky” in 2013 and “Cult of Chucky.” He was not involved in the 2019 remake, which sits outside his continuity.
He also moved the property to television as creator and showrunner of “Chucky,” which ran three seasons on Syfy and USA Network from 2021 to 2024. The network canceled the show, and fans have asked Mancini for a revival ever since. A theatrical film would be the first big-screen outing in his version of the story since 2017.
His résumé extends beyond the doll. He served as supervising producer on Syfy’s “Channel Zero,” produced NBC’s “Hannibal” and wrote for HBO’s “Tales From the Crypt.” His feature writing credits include the cult horror title “Cellar Dweller.”
The franchise has grown into a global merchandising business over nearly four decades, which gives any new project a built-in audience. The cancellation of the TV series after three seasons, however, shows that interest does not guarantee a long run on a network. How the next entry reaches viewers, in theaters or elsewhere, remains undecided. Neither Mancini nor IAG has commented publicly beyond the announcement.
