There have been dozens of films and TV series based on works written by Stephen King. The Master of Horror is well-known as a bit of a workaholic idea factory, able to churn out novels and stories at an impressive pace, leading studios into bidding wars for the next great King project. That being said, the author doesn’t really do much on these adaptations, rarely ever lending a writing hand. But for the forthcoming adaptation of “The Stand,” King felt the desire to tell a tale that he’s never had the chance to tell before.
According to Variety, CBS All Access has announced a release date for the highly-anticipated (and sadly, very timely) series adaptation of King’s epic novel, “The Stand.” And in addition to the series arriving later this year, it was revealed that King, himself, has taken it upon himself to pen the final episode, which actually takes the story further than even his source material.
“During the two years we spent making ‘The Stand,’ we all felt the responsibility of adapting what may be the most beloved work of one of the world’s most beloved storytellers, but none of us could have imagined that Stephen King’s 40-year-old masterpiece about a global pandemic would come to be so eerily relevant,” said showrunner Benjamin Cavell. “We’re honored to tell this sprawling, epic story, including a new coda that Stephen King has wanted to add for decades. We’re so proud of this show and its attempt to find meaning and hope in the most uncertain of times. We can’t wait to share it with the world.”
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For those unfamiliar with King’s novel, “The Stand” tells the story of a post-apocalyptic Earth that was ravaged by a deadly plague that wiped out most of the population. Now, there’s a literal battle between good and evil with the two sides being led by Mother Abagail and the Dark Man, respectively.
The series is also bookended by two episodes directed by Josh Boone, who is prepping the release of his new superhero film, “The New Mutants.” The cast is led by Whoopi Goldberg, Alexander Skarsgård, James Marsden, Odessa Young, Jovan Adepo, Amber Heard, Owen Teague, Henry Zaga, Brad William Henke, Irene Bedard, Nat Wolff, Eion Bailey, Heather Graham, Katherine McNamara, Fiona Dourif, Natalie Martinez, Hamish Linklater, Daniel Sunjata, and Greg Kinnear.
CBS All Access is expected to premiere “The Stand” on December 17. Hopefully, the world is in a better place by then or maybe the new series will be a bit too real.
