Sebastián De Caro has optioned the Argentine spin-off rights to Joe Begos' "Jimmy and Stiggs," the neon-soaked alien horror film that Eli Roth's The Horror Section released earlier this year. De Caro will direct the project, which won't function as a straight remake but instead will introduce new characters navigating similar extraterrestrial threats.
Begos wrote, directed, and starred in the original "Jimmy and Stiggs," a practical-effects-driven creature feature that showcased his maximalist approach to practical filmmaking. The Horror Section, Roth's boutique horror label under Lionsgate, has become known for backing ambitious genre films from emerging voices. By optioning territorial spin-off rights rather than pursuing a full remake, the producers signal confidence in the core concept's malleability across different cultural contexts and creative visions.
De Caro brings his own sensibility to Argentine horror cinema, which has experienced a renaissance in recent years with films finding international audiences through streaming platforms and genre festivals. The spin-off structure allows The Horror Section and Begos to expand the "Jimmy and Stiggs" universe without requiring direct involvement from the original creative team, a model that has proven successful for horror franchises seeking global reach.
The decision to greenlight a spin-off rather than a direct sequel reflects shifting industry economics around horror IP. Producers increasingly recognize that strong genre concepts can generate multiple revenue streams when adapted for regional markets with distinct creative visions. De Caro's version will likely localize the story for Argentine audiences while maintaining the practical-effects aesthetic that defines Begos' filmmaking.
"Jimmy and Stiggs" initially rolled out through The Horror Section's distribution apparatus, which positions itself as a curator of transgressive, effects-heavy horror that pushes against mainstream studio sensibilities. The label's backing of international