David Schwimmer Takes on a Lead Role in Goosebumps
In a significant career move, David Schwimmer has embraced his first leading role in a horror series with Disney+’s upcoming anthology show, Goosebumps. This new season, subtitled The Vanishing, is inspired by R. L. Stine’s beloved children’s book series, presenting varied family-friendly horror narratives each season. The plot centers on teenage siblings who unveil a perilous secret within their new residence. Schwimmer joins an exciting new cast featuring Ana Ortiz, Sam McCarthy, Jayden Bartels, Elijah M. Cooper, Galilea La Salvia, and Francesca Noel.
Insights from the Creators
In an exclusive interview with ScreenRant, the showrunner Hilary Winston and co-creator Rob Letterman shared their thoughts on casting Schwimmer. Initially, they believed they would select a comedian for this role, reflecting the intrinsic link between comedy and horror. Letterman humorously acknowledged that pursuing Schwimmer felt like a long shot; nevertheless, they were inspired to reach out to him.
Hilary Winston: Yeah, going with a comedian was such an obvious route, because — Rob and I talk about it all the time — comedy and horror are so linked, you know? They really are two sides of one coin. So, I think that when you have somebody who can do comedy and has that timing, they’re going to have the horror timing. So, we knew we wanted to pursue someone. Honestly, I was like, Schwimmer seemed like such a big name, I think I laughed at the idea. [Chuckles]
Rob Letterman: Yeah, it seemed ridiculous to even call him up.
Hilary Winston: Yeah, when somebody has dominated something like, so much — but the thing is, Schwimmer is so amazing. He is so talented, he’s so thoughtful about everything he does with his work. He really wanted to dive into a character, and was genuinely interested in doing something in genre, and had so many great ideas, and just became Anthony. There’s just no Anthony without David Schwimmer.
Rob Letterman: It was fun to go with somebody unexpected, like, you just don’t expect him to play this character. That’s just the best. It’s really great, it gets dark. [Laughs]
Hilary Winston: And dramatic. Seeing him in some really dramatic scenes and just being like, “Wow, he dominated half-hour comedy, but he could have just easily been George Clooney on ER at the same time.”[Chuckles]
Schwimmer’s Enthusiasm for Horror
Schwimmer also conveyed his excitement regarding this venture in a later interview, highlighting his long-standing passion for the horror genre.
Yeah, I don’t know if I had dabbled in horror before, maybe you’re thinking of something that I totally have forgotten. I’ve always been a fan of horror, a genuine fan. I love scary movies, I love being scared at the movie theater or at home. So, I was just really excited, because the combination of horror, action, comedy is the sweet spot for me. I’ve always wanted to do it, and I thought this was going to be just a blast, and it was.
What This Means for David Schwimmer
David Schwimmer’s participation in Goosebumps illustrates his expanding career trajectory. While he remained prominent in comedy since the conclusion of Friends in 2004—appearing in projects like the Madagascar films, Will & Grace, 30 Rock, and Web Therapy—he has started to delve into more serious roles in recent years. Notably, he portrayed Robert Kardashian in The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, starred in the crime drama series Feed the Beast, and featured in Steven Soderbergh’s The Laundromat.
Importantly, his new role in Goosebumps marks a significant milestone. Although Schwimmer had a minor role in the 1994 werewolf film Wolf, this project represents his first major lead in the horror genre. The blend of horror with comedic elements provides an opportunity for Schwimmer to explore the complexities of his character in ways he hasn’t experienced before.
Looking Ahead: More Horror for Schwimmer?
Goosebumps: The Vanishing not only aligns with the series trajectory that included notable figures like Justin Long from season one but could also indicate Schwimmer’s deeper foray into horror. Long previously starred in various renowned horror films, and Schwimmer may find himself similarly engaged in the genre moving forward.
With Goosebumps: The Vanishing premiering on Disney+ on January 10, audiences eagerly await to see Schwimmer’s portrayal of Anthony and how he navigates this chilling, yet thrilling narrative.