Is Stephen King’s Movie Cursed?

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Regarding recent Stephen King updates, there’s no debate about the most significant story this week. Paramount Pictures has chosen director Doug Liman to lead the first film adaption of “The Stand.” Previously, this material inspired two miniseries – one in 1994 and another in 2020. Interestingly, they aim to create a single movie instead of a duology like “IT” and “IT: Chapter Two.” They’re currently seeking a writer for the script. However, I believe I can save everyone some resources: adapting “The Stand” into a feature-length film is impractical, and Hollywood should cease these attempts.

This week’s edition of The King Beat features my thoughts on a specific topic, but it doesn’t grab the spotlight all by itself due to Stephen King’s input in The New York Times’ analysis of cinema from the first 25 years of the 21st century. With the discussions being lively and engaging, let’s dive right in!

It’s Not Possible To Make A Single Feature Film Adaptation Of Stephen King’s The Stand, And I Don’t Know Why Hollywood Keeps Trying

In 1982, George A. Romero and Stephen King collaborated to create the first anthology inspired by King’s works titled “Creepshow.” As a screenwriter, King adapted some of his own short stories and crafted three chilling original tales, while as director, Romero drew inspiration from his affection for classic horror comics such as “Tales From The Crypt,” “The Vault Of Horror,” and “The Haunt Of Fear.” This project was a labor of love for the duo, but it also served a practical purpose: they aimed to gain enough industry influence to secure sufficient funding and creative control to bring King’s pandemic epic, “The Stand,” to the big screen.

If you’re familiar with King’s history, you know that things didn’t go exactly as intended. Although Creepshow was a hit, almost quadrupling its budget at the box office, the author struggled to find the right way to adapt the novel. Trimming and cutting didn’t turn out as expected, and before movies like Andy Muschietti’s IT and Denis Villeneuve’s Dune, he even tried a duology approach. It wasn’t until King saw Tommy Lee Wallace’s IT in 1990 that he realized the potential in treating the story as a network miniseries, leading to a shift in medium (with Mick Garris eventually taking charge instead of George A. Romero).

Despite Stephen King’s unsuccessful attempt at making a feature film for “Stand” and his subsequent success with a miniseries, Hollywood did not abandon the idea of a movie adaptation. On the contrary, Ben Affleck, Scott Cooper, David Yates, and Josh Boone all experienced similar situations where their respective adaptations never came to fruition during development. Interestingly, Boone’s journey mirrored King’s: he was initially tapped to direct in February 2014, but the project eventually transitioned to television less than a year-and-a-half later, making it one of the first original series on CBS All Access in late 2020.

As a devoted fan, I find myself struggling to comprehend the rationale behind the production of a film adaptation of Stephen King’s “The Stand” at this juncture in cinematic history. Frankly, I doubt that such a project is feasible or would yield a satisfying result, given the recent revival of the story on television.

The main challenge lies in adapting the Stephen King novel “The Stand,” as its expansive storyline is one of its defining features. Although movies today tend to be longer than they used to be, it’s still uncommon for wide-release films to surpass 3 hours. A cinematic rendition of “The Stand” would require this length and significantly more time to do justice to the novel’s intricate plot.

We’re discussing a movie adaptation of a novel titled “The Stand,” which portrays a devastating plague that nearly eliminates humanity. This epic story follows around a dozen principal characters on their perilous journeys across the United States, leading up to a climactic confrontation between the forces of Good and Evil. To condense the material without altering the core narrative (since an adaptation should retain its essence), filmmakers can only make adjustments by modifying or merging characters. However, these creative choices are challenging as each character plays a crucial role and their storylines interweave significantly. If it fails to fully portray the journeys of Abagail Freemantle, Stu Redman, Frannie Goldsmith, Nick Andros, Tom Cullen, Nadine Cross, Glen Bateman, Larry Underwood, Harold Lauder, Lloyd Henreid, The Trashcan Man, and Randall Flagg, it’s not truly “The Stand.

I strongly feel that this won’t turn out as something it shouldn’t or won’t happen. Many Stephen King fans might concur that we haven’t found an ideal adaptation of his books yet, but if such a perfect adaptation ever occurs, it likely won’t be a standalone movie; instead, it will be a limited series, similar to how Mike Flanagan is treating The Dark Tower. This new development with Doug Liman might lead to that, but until then, I’m hoping for news that this film project is not moving forward.

Stephen King’s Picks For The 10 Best Movies Of The 21st Century And How To Watch Them

As a film enthusiast who’s traversed the cinematic landscapes of the 21st century, I must confess, it’s quite challenging to pinpoint the cream of the crop, given the vastness of time and the sheer brilliance that’s graced our screens. However, instead of presenting you with a static list, let me share Stephen King’s take on the matter – a fluid, ever-evolving perspective that reflects his journey through these remarkable films. So, sit back, relax, and prepare to delve into some thought-provoking cinematic gems!

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I recently delved into an engaging retrospective published by The New York Times, showcasing the crème de la crème of cinema from the past 25 years. This comprehensive review featured contributions from esteemed filmmakers, actors, and creative minds who each curated their own Top 10 selections. Among the distinguished contributors was none other than the legendary Stephen King.

Unlike a traditional ranking system, these lists were arranged alphabetically rather than in order of preference. To discover his picks (along with information on how to watch them) simply scroll down below.

Black Hawk Down

Under the guidance of director Ridley Scott, this movie portrays real-life events where a Black Hawk helicopter was brought down by enemy fire during the Battle of Mogadishu in 1992. Right now, you can watch it streaming on Netflix with a valid subscription.

Brokeback Mountain

This year marks its 20th anniversary, Ang Lee’s movie “Brokeback Mountain” is originally based on the short story by Annie Proulx. It tells the story of two American cowboys (played by Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal) who engage in a clandestine relationship. For those with an Amazon Prime Video subscription, watching it is just a few clicks away.

Children Of Men

In this highly praised film titled “Children of Men,” directed by Alfonso Cuaron, the story unfolds in a future where women can no longer bear children. A protagonist, Clive Owen, becomes involved in a mission to safeguard Earth’s last expectant mother. Unfortunately, at present, the movie isn’t available for streaming, but it can be rented or purchased digitally from all popular online platforms.

Million Dollar Baby

Clint Eastwood’s film, which was an Oscar-winning drama, earned Hilary Swank her second Academy Award. The movie featured Swank as a boxer who gained fame before a sad incident prematurely ended her career. At the moment, it is not available on any streaming platforms, but you can easily rent or buy it digitally.

No Country For Old Men

Among the three films that won the Best Picture award at the Academy Awards, one is “No Country for Old Men,” which was filmmaker duo Joel and Ethan Coen’s interpretation of Cormac McCarthy’s novel with the same title. The story revolves around a hunter (played by Josh Brolin) who discovers a bag full of drug money, leading him to be pursued relentlessly by a ruthless assassin (Javier Bardem). If you have a Paramount+ subscription, you can watch this movie right now.

O Brother, Where Art Thou?

As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but appreciate the unique twist that the Coen brothers have given to Stephen King’s list of favorite films with “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” This movie is a refreshing take on Homer’s “The Odyssey,” where we follow a motley crew of fugitives – George Clooney, Tim Blake Nelson, and John Turturro – embarking on an unforgettable journey in search of wealth, liberty, and atonement. Unfortunately, it’s not currently available for streaming, but you can rent or purchase a copy online to enjoy this fantastic adventure.

Oppenheimer

If it’s been a while since you last thought about Barbenheimer, the upcoming film by Christopher Nolan titled Oppenheimer revolves around J. Robert Oppenheimer (portrayed by Oscar winner Cillian Murphy) and his struggle to outpace the Nazis in the quest to develop the world’s first atomic bomb. The movie is currently available for subscribers of Peacock.

The Departed

The Oscar-winning Best Picture, “The Departed” by Martin Scorsese, is a gritty gangster film set in Boston. This movie narrates the tale of an undercover police officer (Leonardo DiCaprio) who’s digging into the Irish mafia, while simultaneously a plant from the criminal organization (Matt Damon) embeds himself within the Massachusetts State Police. Unfortunately, it isn’t available for streaming, but you can easily rent or buy it digitally.

The Rule Of Jenny Pen

It’s hardly surprising that Stephen King’s selection of the top 21st century films excludes any genres other than horror, right? “The Rule Of Jenny Pen,” now streaming on Shudder, features Geoffrey Rush in a chilling role as a judge residing in a nursing home after a stroke. He is tormented by an overbearing fellow resident, played by John Lithgow, who seems to take pleasure in abusing his power.

Train To Busan

Another chilling title to round off our list, and this one hails from beyond Hollywood – “Train To Busan” directed by Yeon Sang-ho. This is a South Korean zombie film where passengers on a speedy train struggle to survive as the city of Busan becomes infested with the undead. You can currently stream it on Netflix.

If you’re looking for a suggestion on what to watch over the weekend, it’s certainly a good starting point!

In conclusion, this marks the end of today’s episode of The King Beat. However, there’s never a shortage of excitement in the realm of Stephen King, and I’ll be here again on TopMob next Thursday, sharing my insights about the latest news and updates. Until then, you can explore the extensive history of King adaptations through my series Adapting Stephen King, or work towards enhancing your personal King library with my guide on constructing the ultimate Stephen King collection.

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2025-06-26 19:09