NEWS -

Physical Copy Of The End Times

Posted: August 26, 2025, 16:00
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Did you order a digital version (or not at all) of The End Times and want a physical copy? Now is your chance...if you live in the US.

You can order here and if you have already ordered a digital copy you should have gotten an email with a code giving you a discount on the physical edition.

The Institute Renewed For A Second Season

Posted: August 22, 2025, 18:08
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The Institute renewed for a second season.


“Set free but hunted, new dangers await the escapees from the Institute and I can’t wait.”
- Stephen King.

"We’ve been so gratified by the response to our first season, which is a testament to the dedication of our fantastic cast and crew. We’re thrilled that Michael Wright and everyone at MGM have enabled us to continue Stephen’s powerful and timely story. From this project’s inception, we’ve felt there would be much more story to tell as our brilliant characters continue to navigate their way through the dangers of the world they’re facing”.
- Jack Bender and Benjamin Cavell.

June/July's Derry Monthly Is Out (A Bit Late)

Posted: August 20, 2025, 08:13
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The latest and last issue of Derry Monthly is out. For one year I have written this column but this is my last one for Dread Central. Thanks to everyone who read it, liked it and commented on it. I’m still here if you want to keep chatting about King and off course you’ll always find the latest news about what he is up to right here.

Pennywise Flashback Figure

Posted: August 9, 2025, 23:29
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This new Pennywise figure from McFarlane is based on Welcome to Derry and called Pennywise: Flashback and might give us a hint to how Pennywise looked once. If you look close it looks like he has a hood on his head and the clothes are more yellow. And what is he holding in his hans? What does that mean? I have no idea but hopefully we’ll find out in October.

More info here

Trailers You Need To See

Posted: July 27, 2025, 23:59
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Here is our King fall in trailers. We still have four more adaptations coming this year and here are the trailers.

The Long Walk (September 12)

Trailer 1:

Trailer 2:

Welcome to Derry (October)

Trailer 1:

Trailer 2:

The Running Man (November 7)

Trailer 1:

The Black Phone 2 (October 17)

New Trailer For Welcome To Derry & Some Thoughts

Posted: July 27, 2025, 23:03
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Here is the new trailer for Welcome to Derry.


Some thoughts.

1. Why is there no premier date, only the month? I don't think I have ever seen a show where they have been so reluctant to release the exact date.

2. I hope I'm wrong but I do get the feeling that it's almost a remake of the movies. It's said to be about Pennywise's background but there is still a new Looser's Club and as far as the trailer shows we diden't get many hints about much else. I hope I'm wrong but I can't quite shake the feeling.

What do you think?

The Long Walk To Comic-Con

Posted: July 26, 2025, 02:49
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At the Comic-Con panel for The Long Walk a new trailer was show as well as the first 22 minutes of the movie, introduced by King himself (on link).


When Mark Hamill showed up (with others from the cast) he had a t-shirt with Based on the novel by Richard Bachman printed on the front. The Long Walk is a Bachman novel.

JT Mollner To Adapt The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon

Posted: July 24, 2025, 21:35
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Lionsgate just optioned the rights to adapt The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon.

The company has enlisted JT Mollner ( The Long Walk to write and direct the adaptation.

"JT is a filmmaker we believe has a bright future," said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group president Erin Westerman. "Throughout his work, he creates characters, and especially young characters, that are so compelling, heartbreaking, and emotional that they pop off the screen. And of course, that's what Stephen King does on the page as well. The story of survival and perseverance in The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon is timeless. We've loved this tale for a long time, and JT is the perfect choice to adapt and direct this King fan favorite."

King Writing For The End Of Times

Posted: July 17, 2025, 12:12
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Benjamin Percy new project is called The End Times and is the name of a post-apocalyptic newspaper and written as such. A new edition will be released every month starting this November.


The editor-in-chief of The End Times is a woman who stumbles across a printing press a decade after a virus killed all but a tiny sliver of humanity and decides that survivors still need the news.

She starts posting the newspaper in the central square and then it gains more and more popularity and it starts to become a situation that I describe as a blend of Station Eleven and Our Town as different people’s voices start to fill the paper.

One of those voices will be written by King.

I’m not going to give too much away, but let’s just say some of what I already have in my inbox involves scarecrows with large button eyes and dead rats and bodies dangling from the rafters of barns. You know, the Stephen King special.

King will not be writing under his own name, but as a fictional character living in this post-apocalyptic world. Percy slyly hinted that we might be seeing some “Bachman in the byline” for King’s contributions.

Two versions of The End Times were made available to pre-order by Bad Hand Books. One is an actual, physical newspaper printing that would be delivered to your mailbox once a month (limited run of 500 already sold) out, but the digital version can be pre-ordered for $15. 

More info over at Fangoria

Welcome To Derry Coming To Comic-Com

Posted: July 13, 2025, 11:53
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Welcome to Derry will be at Comic-Con 2025!


WELCOME TO DERRY: SDCC
2025 SPECIAL EVENT

HBO Max is bringing a chilling surprise for IT fans with an exclusive sneak peek of Welcome to Derry!

Saturday, July 26
Room 6DE
9:15-9:45 PM

Join Andy & Barbara Muschietti for a first look at the premiere episode and the debut of a brand new teaser trailer.

Enjoy free ice cream

No registration needed. Seating is first come, first served!

And that's not all:

Keep your eyes peeled on Friday and Saturday for Pennywise inspired pedicabs offering free rides. Brand ambassadors will also be roaming the area with some "chilling sweets.

My Thoughts On The Institute

Posted: July 13, 2025, 00:00
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Here are my thoughts about The Institute that premiers tonight with it's two first episodes.

The series follows King’s book pretty well. There are differences, yes, and they have shortened or removed some scenes, but the feel of the story is still there and all in all I enjoyed it.

My Thoughts On Abraham’s Boys

Posted: July 11, 2025, 10:02
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Here are my thoughts of Abraham's Boys based on Joe Hill's story with the same name.

Abraham’s Boys offers a very different take on vampires and the legendary vampire hunter Van Helsing—but a good one. However, if you’re expecting a lot of neck biting and blood pouring all over the screen, you’ll be disappointed. This is not that kind of movie.

King To Narrate Audio Edition Of Hansel And Gretel

Posted: July 10, 2025, 22:40
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HarperCollins US and Hodder Children’s Books UK announced today that King will narrate the digital audio edition of the picture book Hansel and Gretel, a reimagining of the Brothers Grimm fairytale, retold by Stephen King, with artwork by Maurice Sendak, the Caldecott Medal–winning creator of Where the Wild Things Are. HANSEL AND GRETEL Unabridged Audio Edition will be available for download in the U.S. and Canada from HarperCollins in the US and Hodder Children’s Books in the UK, on September 2, 2025.


Hansel and Gretel brings together two creative legends, each unparalleled in their genius and influence, shaping the literary landscape for kids and adults alike for more than sixty years. In this audio edition, Stephen King brings his signature voice to the classic fairytale of two brave children lost in an eerie and dangerous forest. In the tradition of all the best classic fairy tales, which are meant to be enjoyed aloud, this captivating audiobook makes the perfect gift for fans of King, Sendak, and Grimm fairytales.

“Stephen King's reading of Hansel and Gretel is captivating and thrilling, bringing new depth to this classic tale,” said Lynn Caponera, executive director of The Maurice Sendak Foundation.

In a 1997 behind-the-scenes interview with the producer of the Hansel and Gretel opera, Maurice Sendak said, “‘Hansel and Gretel’ is the most profound of all Grimm fairy tales. Generally speaking, most of Grimm is about heroic children. Hansel and Gretel are the most heroic of them all. . . . It’s the toughest story in the world and people are afraid of it, yet it’s famous because it’s so truthful.” (The Art of Maurice Sendak: 1980 to the Present by Tony Kushner)

“When I was asked if I might be interested in writing a new interpretation of ‘Hansel and Gretel,’ bending it to fit (loosely) with set and costume designs Maurice Sendak had created for the Humperdinck opera of the story, I was interested,” said Stephen King. “When I saw the pictures themselves, I resolved to give it a try. Two of his pictures in particular spoke to me: One was of the wicked witch on her broom with a bag of kidnapped children riding behind her; the other was of the infamous candy house becoming a terrible face. I thought, This is what the house really looks like, a devil sick with sin, and it only shows that face when the kids turn their backs. I wanted to write that! To me, it was the essence of this story and, really, all fairy tales: a sunny exterior, a dark and terrible center, brave and resourceful children. In a way, I have been writing about kids like Hansel and Gretel for much of my life.”

Pitt, Gandolfini & Cruise As Tommy, Bogs & Andy?

Posted: July 2, 2025, 21:54
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Frank Darabont spoke about The Shawshank Redemption with USA Today and revealed that Brad Pitt was supposed to play prisoner Tommy but that he pulled out so he could star alongside Tom Cruise in 1994's Interview With the Vampire.

He also revealed that James Gandolfini was supposed to play Bogs but shortly after accepting the job, Gandolfini pulled out for a bigger role as the thug Virgil in 1993's True Romance.

Even more surprising is that Tom Cruise was gunning to play Andy. Cruise "was close" to playing Andy after attending a table read. But ultimately he pulled out. Darabont says. "But he might have been too big for the movie I wanted to make.

It wasn’t a 'Cool Hand Luke' role where you want Paul Newman. It was a little less bold, more subtle than that.
- Frank Darabont

Today it's hard to imagine Pitt, Gandolfini and Cruise in those roles but what do you think? Could they have pulled it of?

The Stand To Be A Feature Film

Posted: June 25, 2025, 08:22
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Several reports stating that Doug Liman will adapt The Stand for Paramount has appeared. The Stand has been adapted two times already (1994 and 2020) and both times as a series for TV. This time however the plan is to make it as a feature film.

Thoughts…

Carrie Starts Shooting In 10 Days

Posted: June 14, 2025, 23:39
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In an interview about The Life of Chuck Matthew Lillard mentioned Carrie.

Carrie started rehearsals yesterday. All eight episodes are completely shot-listed, every script has been written. We’re 10 days out from shooting and we’re all in the rehearsals together,”

This news probably means we’ll get to see the seris sometime during 2026.

We also hear that Kate Siegel, Michael Trucco, Katee Sackhoff, Rahul Kohli, Crystal Balint, and Danielle Klaudt has been cast for the series.

Schwarzenegger Comments On The Running Man

Posted: June 12, 2025, 19:21
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Arnold Schwarzenegger commented on the new version of The Running Man in an interview with Comic Book.

“I mean, I love the idea that they’re doing a sequel to Running Man, or a remake,” Schwarzenegger said. “I don’t know what it’s going to be, but I mean, because I always felt when we did, Running Man was one of the movies that it did, that it felt like, I think it would have been great if we would have been better prepared for this movie, if we would have had more money for this movie, and if we would have had then … the visual effects, the technology of visual effects, that they have today, all of those things I wished after the movie came out, I felt like it could have been better. It was great, but it could have been better, and I think that they have a good chance now with the new Running Man to make it better. And I hope, for their sake and for my sake, I hope that they will be successful.”


Flanagan On What Carrie Will Not Be

Posted: June 10, 2025, 13:28
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In an interview with Variety about The Life of Chuck Mike Flanagan also talks about what he he is not doing with his upcoming version of Carrie.

Can you talk a bit more about your vision for “Carrie”?

The thing I would say is the original story is half a century old and it’s wonderful. Its themes were about youth and bullying and the consequences of that. I believe that in today’s modern world, the power of what it means to be a bully, the breadth of that and the impact of bullying, have changed a lot. The central tenets are still the same, but it’s about much more than Carrie White. I can’t really talk about what we’re doing, I can only really talk about what we’re not doing. We’re not retelling the story as it’s been told, and we’re not making a show about telekinesis. It’s in there, but that’s not what it’s about. There’s a version of it where Carrie White carries a tragic superhero origin story that goes horribly wrong. I feel like they’ve done that, too. So we’re focused way more on the destruction of a community through these very modern tools. What happens in a world where the internet has created an environment of perceived anonymity? Carrie White in the locker room in every iteration is a horrifying scene. Carrie White in the locker room when people have phones in their hands is a whole different thing.

Flanagan Talks The Dark Tower And Changes Between The Books And Adaptations

Posted: June 9, 2025, 23:39
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Mike Flanagan talk about The Dark Tower with The KingCast and acknowledges that it cannot be a strict adaptation. It sounds like we should be prepared for changes compared to the books.

The question for me is this. If there is a character that he can’t get the right to use (like Father Callahan for example) should he replace it with a different character from another King book or should he replace it with a new character that can do the part? I think I would actually prefer the later, how about you?

Here is what Flanagan said:

[Randal] Flagg you have to. You know you have to get into Father Callahan, like that's not negotiable. Which means that you're going to Warner Brothers, cause they've got 'Salem's Lot,' you got to talk to them. Crimson King is actually a whole different thing, because there's a history of adaptation with 'Hearts in Atlantis,' which pulls in all sorts of stuff based on that deal that shouldn't have been pulled in because it's not in the movie. 'Low Men in Yellow Coats' also, you gotta go to Warner Brothers, because when they optioned the story, that was also included, whether they put it in the movie or not. So there's all sorts of stuff.

I'm aiming for something...it can't be what's in the book, it's not logistically possible. And I think to the cinematic audience, they're not going to pick up on 'Insomnia' the way Constant Readers are. What you need from that is a character with psychic ability, who's going to be brought in as one of the Breakers, and it's going to be really important how you deal with that. What are the other characters in the King universe that could fulfill a role like that and get the fans excited, even though you're changing it?

For me, I'm like what about Abra Stone? When you go into the what if you can't get Father Callahan, which is always a thing that comes up, and I think we can, but what if you can't, well who can fill that role? Who's a character that's presumed dead in another King story who can come into this story and have a similar arc of redemption? Do you go to Dick Hallorann? I'm just saying, what do you do here?

How do you make it so the King fans will lean forward and be excited about this particular change, but that people who haven't read the books and are being introduced to this connected universe will be able to recognize it from their cinematic experience? That's part of what makes this thing so goddamned hard to do.

Most of those decisions don't have to play into the first couple seasons. Luckily, the gift of The Dark Tower is if you do it right, and you start at the beginning, you're dealing with one character following another character in a barren wasteland, where there's not even a structure to distract you. It is one person following another person. It's very simple, and everything is added.

And it's added at the right cadence that you're meeting new characters, and the world is expanding, so that by the time you're arguing about what to do with Father Callahan, and to what extent the Emerald City is going to come into play, by then you've already built enough of this that the audience is with you whether they're familiar with the source material. That's what makes it so goddamned challenging to do.

My Thoughts On The Life Of Chuck

Posted: June 6, 2025, 00:00
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Here are my thoughts on The Life of Chuck.

Never before had a movie been so hyped well before its release as The Life of Chuck. It all started back in September last year when it had a limited premiere attended by King, Mike Flanagan, Mark Hamill and others. Everyone agreed it was a great movie and that all of us King fans would love it. People compared it to Stand By Me, The Green Mile, and The Shawshank Redemption—even calling it an Oscar contender.

Special feature

30th anniversary wishes

King calendar

October 6, 2026:
Other Worlds Than These
October 7, 2026:
Carrie TV Series
2026:
Stephen King: Not Just Horror (Portuguese ed.)
2026:
Stephen King: Stories From Five Decades of Storytelling (Portuguese edition)
November 5, 2026:
An Exercise in Murder (Short story by Hill)
2026:
Stephen King: Stories From Five Decades of Storytelling (German edition)
2026:
The Institute season 2
2026:
Stephen King: Not Just Horror (German ed.)
March 2, 2027:
Hunger (Joe Hill)

Latest interviews

Caroline Bicks
April 20, 2026
Rex Baluyot
February 4, 2026
Andy & Barbara Muschietti
February 2, 2026

Latest reviews

Locke & Key: Comic, TV, Dramatization & Keys
May 5, 2026
Monsters in the Archives: My Year of Fear with Stephen King
April 21, 2026
The Running Man
November 14, 2025

Richard Bachman

The story of Richard Bachman and how he was exposed.

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