http://www.liljas-library.com/article.php?id=2391
David Yates, director of the Harry Potter films, can now just about pick any project her wants. So what's in store? Vulture (nymag.com) offers this insight:
"The studio's top priority is a multi-picture adaptation of Stephen King’s The Stand. Our spies tell us that Yates is flying into town tomorrow, and has been rereading King’s epic-length supernatural classic. We’re told Yates will decide if he wants to do the film sometime in the next two weeks. It is a big commitment, as the studio wants to split the giant book into three parts."That said, the article also gives this grim comment, "one could imagine the studio backing away from that aspiration, just as we heard that Universal was getting nervous about its plan to turn King's Dark Tower series into three movies and a two-season TV series." Ouch! That wasn't nice.
The Stand would be exciting as three parts. However, it's hard to really imagine that happening. None of the three sections stand alone. It is one concise story. The middle section in particular would seem unusually awkward -- sorry, but no Empire Strikes Back with this Act. what works for the Stand as a novel is that it keeps moving. But movies don't do that! They come out, and then you have to wait a year or two for the next one. Momentum can be lost.
One other important element is missing thus far -- Stephen King! What made the mini-series work for me was King's story telling. It wasn't driven by special effects or super acting, it was just a good story at the core.
http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/07/harry_potter_dark_knight_rises.html
I think it could work as a trilogy, although it would probably be necessary to add to the story in order to punch up the middle and final sections a bit. I'd like to see more focus on the people in Vegas, for an example. I'd also love for King to consult on any such additions, to keep it more faithful.
ReplyDeleteDavid Yates would be a great choice, by the way. That dude is a good director.