Cate Blanchett and Jack Black Are Ticked in First Trailer for ‘The House with a Clock in Its Walls’

The first trailer for “The House with a Clock in Its Walls,” based on John Bellairs’ 1973 children’s book, was released on Tuesday. Directed by Eli Roth, who is also responsible for the thriller “Hostel” and once served as a production assistant on Howard’s movie “Private Parts,” the film is pegged for a younger audience but in true Roth fashion, will undoubtedly feature a few fun scares.

The movie stars Owen Vaccaro playing Lewis, an orphan boy who goes to live with his warlock uncle Jonathan, played by Jack Black. While getting used to his new surroundings, Lewis meets Mrs. Zimmerman, the witch who lives next door, played by Oscar winner Cate Blanchett. Jonathan and Mrs. Zimmerman uncover some of the mysteries of the home to Lewis, including the clock from the movie’s title, telling their young guest, “We don’t know what it does, expect something horrible.”

Kyle MacLachlan, Colleen Camp, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Vanessa Anne Williams, and Sunny Suljic all co-star in the film which ticks its way into theaters Sept. 21. Watch the first trailer for “The House with a Clock in Its Walls” (above).