Michael Dougherty Charts "The Krampus"

Legendary Pictures hired Michael Dougherty to co-write and direct the horror comedy "The Krampus" says Deadline.

Todd Casey and Zach Shields wrote the initial script set around the Christmas holiday and a pagan demon called Krampus who punishes the wicked.

Dougherty of course co-wrote "X2: X-Men United" and "Superman Returns" and his hiring is not a shock given the cult fanbase (myself among them) that love his Halloween-themed horror anthology flick "Trick 'r Treat". Dougherty  has also been drawing inventive and twisted  Christmas cards for well over a decade.

The project is not to be confused with that other Krampus movie in the works--"Anti-Claus" that Kevin Smith is slated to direct.