Doug Liman will direct a new theatrical film adaptation of Stephen King’s The Stand, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
King’s epic fantasy/horror novel, published in 1978 by Doubleday, tells the story of survivors of a “superflu” virus that has wiped out the majority of the population and have divided into warring factions. A critic for Kirkus wrote of the book, “Some King fans will be put off by the pretensions here; most will embrace them along with the earthier chills.”
Liman, whose previous films include The Bourne Identity, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and Edge of Tomorrow, will direct and produce the film. There is no word on who will write the screenplay.
The Stand, which many fans consider King’s best novel, has been adapted for the small screen twice. A miniseries directed by Mick Garris and starring Gary Sinise, Rob Lowe, Ossie Davis, and Ruby Dee aired in 1994; it earned six Emmy nominations and won two.
Another miniseries adaptation aired in 2020, with several directors; its stars included James Marsden, Odessa Young, Whoopi Goldberg, and Amanda Heard.
The Stand is one of many forthcoming film adaptations of King’s novels. Movies based on The Long Walk and The Running Man are scheduled for release later this year, and a film adaptation of Billy Summers is currently in the works.
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
