Brooding, complex, compelling - when Stephen King's post-apocalyptic novel The Stand hit bookshelves in 1978, it seemed ripe for a film adaptation. Then, some years later, George A. Romero was announced as the man who would do just that. When difficulties with the script length set in, interest in the project soon dwindled. Then Warner Brothers stepped in - before ultimately stepping out again.
This has been the common pattern of things for one of King's most film-worthy projects. With the cast and director of the latest effort set (for now), word comes from King himself that the project might be about to undergo a huge adjustment.
Speaking to MTV, King spoke of the monumental task that screen writer Josh Boone is facing in 'streamlining' his epic novel - a problem that has derailed previous attempts to bring it to the big screen.
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"I think that his take is terrific," said King, "and don't count on it being one film. There's talk about doing it in an entirely different and innovative way, and I don't want to go into it because that's Josh's baby… He's hugely ambitious and hugely energetic, so we'll see what happens."
Two films? Three? Or could a "different and innovative way" see it become a five-hour monster split up by the likes of a streaming service such as Netflix? Only time will tell. Here's hoping it's the adaptation the book deserves.
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