Dread Central reports that as part of a new overall deal with CBS Studios, Alex Kurtzman will spearhead a series adaptation of King’s short story The New York Times at Special Bargain Rates.
Last time we heard something about this one was 5 years ago when the people behind Haven was supposed to do it. Let’s see if something happens now…
Here’s an interesting interview with Peter Straub. Among the things he talks about (starts 29 minutes in) is his collaboration with King on The Talisman and Black House. He also says it’s unlikely that the third book will ever be written…
Starting tomorrow I will announce the winners of the big 25-anniversary contest. I won’t announce all winners at once though so be patient.
Here is how they will be announced.
Tusesday Aug. 3:
Forth runner up who gets a copy of The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, Pop-up book, in the original shrink-wrap is Elaine Giglio
Third runner up who get a copy of Blockade Billy, first edition hardcover in slipcase. Fine/Fine is Greg Lew
Wednesday Aug. 4:
Second runner up who get a copy of The Dark Man, First edition hardcover. Fine/Fine is Benny Muniz
Thursday Aug. 5:
First runner up who get a copy of Faithful, First edition hardcover. Fine/Fine is Deb Frank
Friday Aug. 6:
Grand Prize winner who get a signed first edition of JUST AFTER SUNSET Fine/Fine with slipcase the same. Includes receipt, flyer and bookmark from the book signing event is Melissa Werner
Looks like Overlook is moving from HBO Max to Netflix.
HBO Max has opted not to proceed with Overlook, the drama project from J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot Prods. inspired by Stephen King’s The Shining. The company and studio Warner Bros. Television are currently shopping the show, which is expected to land at a new home soon, with Netflix a likely destination, I hear. Reps for Bad Robot, WBTV and Netflix declined comment.
Here are my thoughts of Billy Summers, out tomorrow. The review is fairly spoiler free (don’t want to ruin the surprices for you) except for the mentioning of a connection to another of King’s books…
Billy Summers is written in the same tone as King’s other book for 2021, Later. They are both character driven, and I enjoy that. There aren’t any ghosts or supernatural elements in Billy Summers so if you’re expecting that you will be disappointed.
The prequel to Pet Sematary has added “Jackie Brown” star Pam Grier to its cast. There is still no title but the film is reported to start shooting in August and will debut exclusively on Paramount Plus on an yet undetermined date.
Looks like the new adaptation of Salem’s Lot (written and directed by Gary Dauberman), is set to begin filming soon in Ipswich, Massachusetts! Ipswich Local News reported:
Downtown will again be used as a backdrop when filmmakers roll into town in September.
Filming will take place in the AnnTiques area of South Main Street for five or six days, town manager Tony Marino told the select board on Monday.
The movie planned is ‘Salem’s Lot, a remake of Stephen King’s classic tale about vampires in small-town Maine.
King has partnered with Audio Up Media, iHeart Media and award-winning producer Lee Metzger for his first podcast, Strawberry Spring which will be based on his with the same name TheWrap has learned exclusively.
Metzger will write and direct the podcast series, with a cast that includes Garrett Hedlund, Milo Ventimiglia, Herizen F. Guardiola, Sydney Sweeney, Ken Marino and Al Madrigal. More cast members will be announced at a later date. Emmy Award winner Philip Alberstat will produce.
Lisey’s Story has aired it’s last episode and here are my thoughts about it.
Let me know what you think.
I like it but I think it will divide the fans into two camps. Those who, like me, appreciate that it’s a rather slow burner that takes it’s time and those who think it’s too slow. Either way there is one thing you can’t deny. It looks beautiful.
McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern #65 (containing King’s Willie the Weirdo) has been pushed forward from it’s original release date (September 16, 2021) to January 6, 2022. You can still pre-order your copy here though.
The 2019 version of Pet Sematary turned King’s story into a teenage B-movie and the latest casting news for the follow-up indicates that it’s heading the same way. The Hollywood Reporter reports…
The latest Pet Sematary installment is filling out its cast ahead of its upcoming August start date.
Mare of Easttown actor Jack Mulhern and Forrest Goodluck, who is known for starring opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in The Revenant, have joined the untitled feature, along with Big Sky actress Natalie Alyn Lind and newcomer Isabella Star LaBlanc.
Richard Chizmar reported that Trapped (based on an original story by Chizmar and King) will be feature film directed by Mark Pavia (The Night Flyer. The script is by Mark Pavia, Richard Chizmar and Billy Chizmar. The movie will be produced by Nadia Redler and David Chackler.
Deadline reports that Jackson White is in final negotiations to star as Jud Crandall in the follow-up adaptation of 2019's Pet Sematary. It seems they are going for a prequel since Jud will be younger than in the original movie.
The film is set to begin shooting in August and will debut exclusively on Paramount+.
Here is an interview with King. It’s recorded in March but wasn’t released until late May. In it King talks about The Stand TV series and what he liked and didn’t like about it. He also mentions that he’s works on a novel, that he finds difficult to write, and he also talks about a Covid-19 story he says he’s written and while doing so he also gives away the plot and ending. It’s not clear if he intends to publish it though.
Joblo reports that Elijah Wood wants to do a new version of Children of the Corn:
Another one that I feel is exciting, I know that there's already a remake coming out, but we still really love Children of the Corn. I feel like that would be an exciting thing to ... from the ground up, taking it from the novel, not remaking the movie, but actually take the short story and flesh that out in an interesting way."
According to Deadline a new adaptation of Christine is in the making.
Sony Pictures and Blumhouse are revving back up Christine, a new version of the Stephen King novel that Bryan Fuller is writing to direct. Jason Blum is producing for Blumhouse, and Vincenzo Natali and Steven Hoban are also producing.
Here is an interview King did with WSJ. To read it you need to subscribe but here is a teaser:
Before Stephen King gets out of bed at 6 a.m., he makes a mental inventory of the things he’s grateful for. “It’s a nice way to start the day because you get a chance to almost do a review of your current life, your current status,” says King, 73. His family, friends and dog—a corgi named Molly, whom he also refers to as the Thing of Evil—are mainstays of his list. “I try to remember to be grateful for not being in pain, you know? Because everybody has some of that in their life.” Next, he gets up and does a round of sit-ups and push-ups, shaves and eats breakfast before sitting down to write.
Here is an interview with JJ Abrams where he talks about Lisey’s Story but also hint that he and King is working on a new anthology series. Could be very interesting!
Here are some additional clips about the show…
Behind the scene teaser
The cast of Lisey’s Story talks about how it was to work with Stephen King.
To celebrate Lilja’s Library’s 25th anniversary I have together with Veryfinebooks set up a great contest for you with exceptional prizes up for grabs. All you need to do is answer three simple questions and by doing so you can be one of five (5) lucky winners who bring home one of these prizes. The contest ends July 31 and the winners will be announced one a day starting August 2nd.
TOP PRIZE:
Signed first edition of JUST AFTER SUNSET Fine/Fine with slipcase the same. Includes receipt, flyer and bookmark from the book signing event.
First runner up: Faithful, First edition hardcover. Fine/Fine Second runner up: The Dark Man, First edition hardcover. Fine/Fine Third runner up: Blockade Billy, first edition hardcover in slipcase. Fine/Fine Forth runner up: The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, Pop-up book, in the original shrink-wrap.
American Horror Story actress Ryan Kiera Armstrong will play Charlie the new adaptation of Firestarter and here is the first photo of her. In the original from 1984 Charlie was played by Drew Barrymore.
Scream Factory will release A Return to Salem’s Lot on Blu-ray on August 24th. To bad that all it has in common with the original TV series is the cover...
Tomorrow the paperback edition of If it Bleeds is released and those of you who can't wait for the release of Billy Summers (Aug. 3) there is an excpert included in the paperback edition of If it Bleeds.