Get ready for another crack at Stephen King’s most epic novel, The Stand. According to THR, Doug Liman is on board to direct a new adaptation of The Stand from Paramount. The studio and filmmaker are teaming up to take on King’s most epic story. Liman will also produce alongside Tyler Thompson of Cross Creek Pictures, they previously teamed up for 2017’s American Made starring Tom Cruise.
There aren’t any writers on board yet, but it’ll be a titanic task for whoever signs on. The Stand comes in at 1,152 pages long and is easily King’s longest work. The book was first published in 1978 and then revised in 1990. It’s been a massive influence on pop culture, TV, movies, video games, and more. It’s one of the best examples of post-apocalyptic literature out there.
It takes place in an America where a virus takes out most of the population and follows dozens of characters in overlapping storylines over many years. It’s the ultimate battle of good vs. evil with King’s most evil protagonist, Randall Flagg taking on a group of survivors in Las Vegas.
The Stand has previously been adapted as a mini-series in 1994 from Mick Garris and again in 2020. There’s also a Marvel Comic version of the novel as well. Outside of that, plenty of filmmakers have tried to take on the adaptation in the past including George Romero, David Yates, and Ben Affleck, but to no avail.
According to THR, Liman’s take would be a one-off and not a multi-movie plan.
Who Is Doug Liman?
Doug Liman has been a maverick in Hollywood since the start of his career. He’s directed movies like Swingers and The Bourne Identity. Along the way he also directed movies like Mr. and Mrs. Smith and the recent Road House. He’s also been a collaborator with Tom Cruise on movies like American Made and The Edge of Tomorrow.
This isn’t the only Stephen King adaptation in the works, there’s also a plan for his first story, The Long Walk, later this year, and The Running Man, from Paramount.
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Source: THR
