Feature Interview: John Hegeman and the Fairy Tales of Tomorrow

Rarely do new projects excite me quite as much as John Hegeman’s newest project. Signal Horizon sat down with the legendary producer to get to the bottom of our fairy tale obsession and to get the skinny on his newest short soeries Tales From the Woods. Get ready to dive deep into the twisted world of fairy tales like you’ve never seen them before! Tales From the Woods is an anthology series that’s turning those sweet childhood stories into your new nightmares. Here are the highlights! Catch the full interview below!

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The Dark Roots of Fairy Tales

Hegeman reveals his long-standing fascination with the darker side of holidays and fairy tales. He explains that the original fairy tales were “petrifying” and “so dark,” nothing like the Disney versions we know today. This deep dive into the literal origins sparked the idea for Tales From the Woods, which was initially called “Scary Tales.” The goal was to create an anthology series—either feature-length or short-form—that explored these darker, original versions of classic fairy tales. Hegeman’s team has even compiled a “bible” of 75 fairy tales, detailing their well-known narratives and their chilling, dark beginnings (2:21).

Empowering Indie Voices

One of the most exciting aspects of Tales From the Woods is its commitment to unique, independent filmmakers. Hegeman emphasizes his love for working with directors who bring their own distinct perspectives, especially those from the international indie scene. He notes that international voices can offer an even more unique take for a domestic audience. The process involves giving filmmakers a selection of 10 fairy tales from their 75-story bible, with the only rule being to embrace the dark origin (4:23). Directors like Benson and Moorhead and Mattie Do were chosen because their signature styles and ability to tell stories on screen were already admired (4:48).

The Producer’s Art: Facilitating Vision

Hegeman clarifies the role of a producer as a facilitator—someone who helps bring a shared vision to life. He distinguishes between a creative producer, focused on the idea and packaging, and an operational producer, who ensures the project stays on budget and schedule. For Hegeman, it’s about building a strong team and empowering the director to execute their vision, as long as they stay within agreed-upon parameters. This philosophy extends to all aspects of his work, from running marketing departments to overseeing film productions.

Subverting Power Through Storytelling

The series intentionally portrays the villains as those in power, a thematic choice rooted in Hegeman’s background in indie punk music and its anti-authority stance. Each short film, regardless of its specific time period, aims to subvert power and authority. This freedom to express their unique perspectives is what attracts acclaimed indie filmmakers to the project, as they get to unleash their “indie freak” without creative constraints. This approach ensures the series remains unique and unhomogenized, showcasing diverse voices from around the globe tackling the same thematic homework assignment.

What’s Next for Tales From the Woods?

Currently, all three short films are playing together at the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival (18:48), following a successful run at Fantastic Fest (19:11). The goal is to evolve Tales From the Woods into an ongoing series, much like how their previous project, Holidays, transformed into the 24-episode Hulu series Into the Dark (19:32). Hegeman started building this fairy tale universe with Oz Perkins’ Gretel and Hansel (19:53) and aims to secure a streamer to extend the series with its cool indie vibe, with a target release for early 2026 (26:07).

Tales Still to Tell

With five seasons of eight episodes each already laid out, there’s a wealth of dark tales to explore. Hegeman is particularly eager to adapt Red Riding Hood and Three Little Pigs. He describes the original Red Riding Hood as a “brutal, brutal dark origin” story, making the search for the right director crucial. The Three Little Pigs is also seen as a “crazy tale” with great horror potential. He emphasizes that all the current directors bring their unique styles, making it impossible to pick a favorite.

Tales From the Woods is a must-watch for anyone craving fresh, bold, and genuinely unsettling horror. Get ready for your favorite childhood stories to get a much-needed, dark makeover.