The Halloween Tree: Fantasy casting for a live-action version

The Halloween Tree is one of my favorite books, and animated specials. It’s a travesty that it doesn’t get shown this time of year anymore. So I got to thinking what if they made a live-action adaptation? This is a dream cast I came up with.

Every Halloween as a child I would always look forward to watching my favorite Halloween special, The Halloween Tree. The special is based on a novel by Ray Bradbury about a group of friends who, while out trick or treating, end up on a journey through space and time to learn of the traditions of Halloween, and save a friend’s life.

Sadly, The Halloween Tree never gets love anymore. Instead we get to see Freeform make a mockery of our favorite Holiday by showing stuff during their 13 Nights Of Halloween that hardly has anything to do with the holiday. Things like Harry Potter and Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, or Hocus Pocus about 25 times. Not that there’s anything wrong with those movies, but with the exception of Hocus Pocus, they barely have anything to do with Halloween.

Therefore I believe it is high time that The Halloween Tree gets the love it deserves with a live action adaptation. The following are who I believe would be perfect to go on the magical journey through time with the mysterious Moundshroud.

Photo via YouTube

Robert Englund as Carapace Clavicle Moundshroud

There was no doubt in my mind when the idea came to mind to cast The Halloween Tree who should play the sinister Mr. Carapace Clavicle Moundshround. The character is amazingly creepy and you sometimes question his true motives. Throw a bald cap on Robert Englund and you have the perfect Moundshroud.

via Warner Bros

Jeremy Ray Taylor as Wally 

The lovable goof Wally, even has his own catchphrase “Oh my gosh”. I lost count of how many times he says it in the original animated special. Who better to bring that character to life than The Losers’ Club’s Ben Hanscom, Jeremy Ray Taylor. I can think of no one more suited for the role of the lovable sweet goofball gargoyle enthusiast.

via ABC

Sean Giambrone as Ralph

Sean Giambrone IS Ralph, the mummy. He is incredible as the film loving Adam Goldberg in ABC’s sitcom The Goldbergs. The only problem I could see is he may be a bit old for the character, however not so much older that we can’t disband belief. That’s the great thing about film isn’t it?

via Warner Bros

Jaeden Lieberher as Tom Skelton

Yea I know what you’re thinking this is the second of the Losers Club. However that wasn’t part of my decision on this list. Jaeden Lieberher showed the world how great he is in the leader role in IT, so he would be perfect for the role of the co-leader of this group, Tom “Skeleton” Skelton.

via Netflix

Millie Bobby Brown as Jenny

Stranger Things‘ Eleven would be perfect for the role of the tomboyish Jenny, the witch. Interesting fact, however in the book there are no girls so the witch is a boy. Bradbury wanted to capture how little boys were at that age with no interest in girls.  I had considered going that route, but felt the dynamic the animated special brought was a little more special.

via Warner Bros.

Jack Dylan Grazer as Joe Pipkin

“On the day Joe Pipkin was born all the orange soda and Nehi bottles fizzed over; and joyful bees swarmed countrysides to sting maiden ladies. On his birthdays, the lakes pulled back from the shore in midsummer and ran back with a tidal wave of boys, a big leap of bodies and the downcrash of laughs.”

While the role of Joe “Pip” Pipkin may not be very large it is perhaps the most important. Pipkin is the undisputed leader, and most popular and beloved boy in the neighborhood. Without him there would be no story, as the entire plot revolves around his friends trying to save his soul as he lays dying in the hospital.

He will probably be busy for a while with IT Chapter 2, and the CBS sitcom Me, Myself, and I but the Losers’ Club’s slight Eddie Kaspbrak, Jack Dylan Grazer fits the role perfectly.

Next: 5 Marvel villains ready for Halloween

There you have it residents of Elm Street. Do you love The Halloween Tree as much as I do? Do you like these casting choices? Sound off as always in the comments.