If you thought the most dangerous thing in Orange County was a property tax hike, think again. Justin Long and Iris Apatow are currently in negotiations to star in Stung, a survival thriller that proves even a luxury mansion can’t keep out a swarm with a grudge.
The project reunites Long with director Colin Minihan, who recently put the actor through the wringer in the genre-bending Coyotes. VMI Worldwide is currently shopping the film to global buyers at Cannes, presumably with a side of antihistamines.
The film is produced by Andre Relis and Jib Polhemus, marking their third feature together after the Josh Lucas-led The Night Driver.
Home Invasion (With Wings)
Set against a backdrop of suburban isolation and that specific brand of “OC” paranoia, Stung follows four teenage girls whose innocent sleepover turns into a tactical nightmare. The antagonist? A massive, unrelenting swarm of Africanized Killer Bees has taken over their high-end fortress.
It’s a classic “trapped-in-a-box” scenario, but the box is made of glass and marble. And the intruders can fly through the vents. Director Minihan describes it as a story of primal fear. It will focus on the breakdown of trust and the desperate scramble for survival under pressure.
A “Scream King” and the Rising Star
Justin Long is essentially the patron saint of “characters who find themselves in increasingly terrible situations” (Barbarian, Coyotes, Night Patrol). He’s joined by Iris Apatow, who is quickly carving out her own space in the industry.
The Pedigree: Shudder Hits and Micro-Budget Magic
Colin Minihan isn’t just a “B-movie” director; he’s a master of making a small budget feel like a blockbuster. His track record includes:
-What Keeps You Alive: A brutal SXSW hit and New York Times Critics’ Pick.
-Grave Encounters: The found-footage cult classic that launched a thousand nightmares.
-Shudder Staples: He co-wrote and produced breakout hits like Still/Born, Z, and Spiral.
The film is produced by Andre Relis and Jib Polhemus, marking their third feature together after the Josh Lucas-led The Night Driver.
Facts that Sting
If you’ve never been stung by one of the regular little yellow and black assholes, you couldn’t imagine the nightmare behind Killer Bees. They are so much worse. The pointy-butt bastards make a bumblebee look like a housefly.
While a regular colony might send 10% of its bees to defend the hive, African Bees send the entire colony, which includes 10,000 to 50,000 bees. They are also 10x faster. They will also chase you over a quarter-mile, compared to a regular bee giving up at 50 yards. And if you mess up and kill one of the little buggers, you’ll release its pheromones, which will trigger the rest of its friends like a war cry. In other words, you just marked yourself for death. Even if you aren’t allergic (I am), you’re in for a truly bad day that could end with you wearing a toe tag. Your best bet? Run like hell and don’t stop!
We’ll keep you posted as more details fly in. In the meantime, if it buzzes, stay away.
