Known for his work on animated hits like Toy Story 4 and Inside Out, Cooley brings a unique creative perspective to the project. He directed Toy Story 4, which earned him an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, and was part of the writing team that received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay for Inside Out. More recently, Cooley directed the fully CG-animated Transformers One, demonstrating his versatility across various genres and animation styles. His selection for 99 Nights in the Forest follows a competitive process where 20th Century Studios reportedly met with several writers over the summer, ultimately choosing Cooley's distinct vision for the survival horror IP.

The adaptation of 99 Nights in the Forest will mark 20th Century Studios' first foray into video game feature films, signaling the studio's intent to capitalize on the booming market for game-to-screen adaptations. The game itself is a relatively new phenomenon but has quickly become a sensation on the Roblox platform. Players are challenged to endure 99 nights in a haunted forest, tasked with rescuing four lost children while battling vicious creatures lurking in the deep woods. Its compelling premise and engaging gameplay have resonated with a massive audience, boasting nearly 26 billion lifetime visits and a player rating of 90.6 percent, making it the seventh-most-played game of all time on Roblox as of this spring.

Adding further weight and genre credibility to the project, horror legend Sam Raimi and his frequent producing partner Rob Tapert are attached as producers. Their involvement signals a strong commitment to the horror genre, promising an authentic and thrilling cinematic experience that fans of both the game and Raimi's work will undoubtedly anticipate. The game's creators from New Zealand-based Grandma’s Favourite Games – Alec Kieft, Matthew Hufton, and Cameron Angland – will serve as executive producers, alongside Romel Adam (Evil Dead Rise) and Jose Cañas (Play Dead), aiming to ensure that the film adaptation stays true to the spirit of the original game while transitioning it effectively to the big screen.