Variety is reporting that Dimension Films has obtained the rights to Locke & Key, a horror comic written by Joe Hill (Stephen King's son) and published by IDW.  IDW is planning to publish 18 issues of Locke & Key, which will eventually be collected in three graphic novels.  The series is set in a Gothic mansion on Cape Cod where three kids from a troubled family find keys that unlock doors that transport them to different places (see 'Joe Hill, Angel & Igor').

Dimension honcho Bob Weinstein (Dimension Films is the 'genre' arm of the Weinstein Company), who is clearly thinking 'horror franchise,' told Variety: 'I love what Joe wrote. There are fun elements that horror fans love, and it feels like a franchise where you can feel satisfied with each film, but there is a door left open for the next one.' 

Dimension has clearly had some success in adapting the works of Stephen King (Room 1408, The Mist) and is hoping to do equally well with this project from King's son (Warner Bros. is currently adapting Joe Hill's first prose novel, Heart-Shaped Box, which rose as high as #8 on the New York Times bestseller list).

IDW released the first issue of Locke & Key on February 20th.  Issue #2 is due in March.  IDW CEO Ted Adams will function as an executive producer on the film.