| Locke & Key | |
|---|---|
 Logo from theLocke & Key pilot | |
| Genre | |
| Based on | |
| Written by | Josh Friedman[1] |
| Directed by | Mark Romanek |
| Starring | |
| Composers | |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 1 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Producers | |
| Production locations | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Cinematography | Jeff Cutter |
| Editor | Scott Gamzon |
| Production companies | |
Locke & Key is atelevision pilot of a TV series based on thecomic book series written byJoe Hill and published byIDW Publishing. It was expected to debut in 2011, but Fox opted not to orderLocke & Key to series. The plot focuses on adventure stories centered on three children who become the caretakers of a New England mansion, which is home to a bevy of secrets and magic.
The story focuses on the Locke family as they move into Keyhouse, after the tragic murder of patriarch Rendell (Mark Pellegrino). Nina (Miranda Otto) and her three children, Tyler (Jesse McCartney), Kinsey (Sarah Bolger), and Bode (Skylar Gaertner) meet up with Rendell's brother Duncan (Nick Stahl) and look to get a fresh start. Keyhouse has been home to the Lockes for hundreds of years. Rendell and Duncan lived there growing up, but Duncan has blocked out a lot of his memories of the place. After exploring the grounds a bit, Bode finds a key with a skull on it. When he steps through the door that the key unlocks, his body drops dead but his spirit is able to fly around the house. This catches the attention of an "echo" named Dodge (Ksenia Solo), who is trapped deep within the well on the grounds. Something is clearly dark about her and we find out that she's been manipulating Rendell's killer, Sam Lesser (Harrison Thomas). The Ghost Key that Bode found is one of many scattered around the area. Each one does something special. Dodge has her eyes set on the Anywhere Key, which can transport you wherever you want to go.
Dimension Films acquired the film and television rights forWelcome to Lovecraft fromIDW Publishing with the intent of developing the property as a feature withJohn Davis producing.[2] In February 2010, it was announced that Dimension had lost the adaptation rights to DreamWorks[3] withAlex Kurtzman andRoberto Orci signed on to develop and produce the project.[4] In August 2010Steven Spielberg also joined as a producer, and the production became a TV series rather than a film adaptation, withJosh Friedman writing episodes for the show and acting as showrunner.[5]
The TV series adaptation then landed at20th Century Fox Television. The network greenlit apilot, produced byDreamWorks TV and K.O. Paper Products through the latter's deal with 20th Century Fox TV.[6]
Miranda Otto played Nina Locke,Sarah Bolger was Kinsey Locke[7][8] andNick Stahl co-starred as Duncan Locke.[9] Skylar Gaertner played 6-year old Bode, and Harrison Thomas played a teenager manipulated by an evil spirit.[10] Actor and singerJesse McCartney appeared as Ty Locke, the series' male lead[11] andKsenia Solo was cast as Dodge.[12]
Mark Romanek directed the pilot episode,[13] which was filmed at the mansion inHartwood Acres and inEllwood City, Pennsylvania in February 2011. The pilot was also shot throughoutPittsburgh that same month.[14] In May 2011, Fox announced that the project would not be picked up to the series.[15] The studio attempted to sell the project to other networks but eventually ceased efforts due to rising costs. However, the show has been eyed by MTV, though no official talks have been had yet. The pilot was screened at the 2011San Diego Comic-Con, where it was well received.[16] In January 2020, the pilot was leaked byBloody Disgusting, who later uploaded it toVimeo.[17][18]
James Ferguson ofHorrorTalk gaveLocke & Key four stars (out of five) and said, "The acting throughout the episode is fantastic. You really feel for the Locke family as they attempt to recover from this horrible event in their lives. McCartney and Bolger have great chemistry as brother and sister, playing off of one another very well. Unfortunately for them, young Skylar Gertner steals every scene he's in. In many ways, he is the star of the pilot as he's the catalyst for Dodge's release from her prison as well as the search for the keys. Sometimes it takes a child's imagination to look past the restrictions most of us place on our thoughts, especially when it comes to the supernatural. The story unfolds with subtlety. We're not shown the exact events regarding Rendell's death, but we're given hints as to what happened based on the character's actions and emotions. It isn't until much later that we're given the details as well as why one of the family members feels responsible. Obviously I don't know how faithful the pilot is to the original comic, but the setup that we get from this episode would have been great for a weekly program. There's a nice reveal at the very end that would create the basis for at least a full season".[19]