Another ‘The Stand’ Movie? Why Hollywood Needs to Leave Stephen King’s Epic Alone

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Recently, a significant piece of news has been causing ripples in the horror community, particularly among devoted fans of Stephen King’s works, known as Constant Readers. This announcement, made by Paramount Pictures, reveals that one of King’s most iconic horror novels, “The Stand,” is slated for another modern adaptation. The project is being developed as a full-length feature film, with Doug Liman, the director behind “The Bourne Identity” and Tom Cruise’s “Edge of Tomorrow,” set to take the helm.

At present, there’s an abundance of projects adapting Stephen King’s works. Mike Flanagan is busy crafting series like ‘Carrie’ and ‘The Dark Tower’, while the TV prequel ‘It: Welcome to Derry’ is scheduled to air its first season towards the end of 2025 (initially planned as a three-season run). Despite this, there’s no sign of ‘Stephen King overload’, as the author continues to pen captivating stories spanning various genres. Horror is simply one of them.

It’s common for people to get excited about new Stephen King adaptations, but reactions were split when news about the latest version of “The Stand” broke. Many fans just shrugged and moved on, possibly considering rereading the extensive novel or revisiting previous adaptations. Some might argue that another adaptation is unnecessary, especially since Josh Liman’s “The Stand” seems to be a close relative of the 2017 film (yes, you guessed it – the one starring Matthew McConaughey and Idris Elba). For some, Paramount’s reinterpretation offers a fresh chance to explore the post-apocalyptic genre, but for others, it’s not exactly a captivating idea. In essence, a modern movie adaptation of “The Stand” might not be the Stephen King adaptation we need at this moment in time.

1994 Already Saw the Best Adaptation of ‘The Stand’

30-odd years back, I found myself engrossed in a four-part television miniseries adaptation of one of King’s most cherished works, “The Stand.” This epic tale unfolded over 610 minutes, with the mastermind behind it being none other than Stephen King himself. The series was brilliantly directed by Mick Garris, who truly captured the essence of King’s narrative. This captivating journey through humanity’s struggle for survival and the mystery surrounding the catastrophe aired from May 8 to 12, 1994. Remarkably, it was watched in over 19 million households, surpassing even the viewership of the series finale of “Lost,” which was seen by around 13.5 million homes.

Remember that this was network television, not cable, so graphic content was frequently edited during production or cut out entirely. Despite these limitations, Garris managed to make the miniseries as true to the book as feasible, and his adaptation of The Stand is considered one of the finest adaptations of a Stephen King novel. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 70% rating from critics, while viewers give it a slightly higher score of 71%. You can rent or purchase the 1994 version of The Stand on Prime Video.

Does Anyone Remember the 2020 Version of ‘The Stand’?

In 2020, a well-timed version of “The Stand” premiered on Paramount+. The narrative felt strikingly similar to the global COVID-19 pandemic we were experiencing at the time. This series was presented in the traditional miniseries style, with nine episodes telling the entire tale of Stephen King’s enduring classic about a plague that wipes out mankind. Developed by Josh Boone and Benjamin Cavell, “The Stand” generally followed the same storyline, but introduced numerous alterations. Despite boasting a talented cast, the series soon disappeared from public discussions and is seldom mentioned in conversations about King’s notable TV adaptations.

In Rotten Tomatoes, it has a rotten rating from critics at 57%, with audiences giving it a low score of 25%. Although the 2020 adaptation seems to have better special effects compared to the 1994 miniseries, its narrative falls short and fails to capture the gripping essence found in Stephen King’s novel. You can stream The Stand (2020) on Paramount+.

Stephen King’s Version of the Apocalypse Is Too Complicated To Be Adapted Into a Feature Film

It appears that Paramount and Liman might be overlooking the distinct quality of The Stand within Stephen King’s extensive collection. This dystopian dark fantasy stands out as one of King’s longest works, and more crucially, it follows an array of intricate characters whose individual narratives may not be fully realized in a single feature film.

As a movie critic, I found myself grappling with the complex narrative of this production, as it skillfully weaves together various genres, a task that can be precarious if not handled delicately. The climax alone could have been a standalone film in its own right. It’s important to remember that a work in progress should not be hastily judged, but the hasty conclusion seemed to be the fatal blow for the disappointing adaptation of 2017’s “The Dark Tower.”

Comparisons are often unfair, especially when the project is still in its infancy. However, the hurried ending was the final nail in the coffin for this less-than-stellar reinterpretation of Stephen King’s beloved series. The demise of Walter Padick, alias Randall Flagg, left Constant Readers stunned, as we all know that vanquishing such a crucial villain from the King universe requires far more than what was portrayed on screen.

It isn’t necessarily that The Stand is the final adaptation of King’s works we require, but rather it’s extremely difficult to create a film version that does justice to what is generally considered one of Stephen King’s best books by many readers. Despite my interest in King’s universe and my intention to purchase tickets for the premiere wearing a “Stephen King Rules” hat, I must admit that I am not particularly enthusiastic about this upcoming movie. This is an unusual feeling for me when it comes to a new Stephen King film.

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2025-07-07 02:32