Pet Sematary – Tony's Horror Corner

Updates on the Stephen King Adaptation Boom

It has been over two months since I updated you all on the multitude of Stephen King adaptations, and A LOT has happened. So, without further ado, get your reading glasses on, sit back, get comfy, and get caught up.

IT’S “CASTLE ROCK” WEEK!!!

It’s finally here. “Castle Rock” will be available to stream Wednesday July 25^thon Hulu. I personally am extremely excited, and I know almost every constant reader is too.

John Anderson, writer for The Wall Street Journal, wrote an excellent review for “Castle Rock,” one I hope to emulate when I finish the show. All reviews out there are saying similar things, very good things, which only heightens my excitement.

Andre Holland and Bill Skarsgard reportedly run the show. I can’t wait to see Bill in action again, especially after watching him terrify audiences as Pennywise in the 2017 adaptation of “IT.”

Speaking of “IT,” filming for “IT: Chapter Two” is underway and set to release September 6th, 2019. The cast and crew look to be doing an amazing job.

Let’s run through a little casting call to get everyone up to speed and be sure to check out shaunwatson87 on Instagram. He’s made some amazing pictures featuring cast members from the adult and young Losers’ Club.

The Losers’ Club: James McAvoy ⇒ adult Bill Denborough. Jessica Chastain ⇒ adult Beverly Marsh. Andy Bean ⇒ adult Stanley Uris. James Ransone ⇒ adult Eddie Kaspbrak. Jay Ryan ⇒ adult Ben Hanscom. Isaiah Mufasa ⇒ adult Mike Hanlon (hopefully he’s ready to make some calls), and last but definitely not least, Bill Hader ⇒ adult Richie Tozier.

The cast who portrayed the young Losers’ Club will be reprising their roles in “Chapter Two” in flashbacks. Stephen Bogaert is returning as Beverly’s father, and Ari Cohen is returning as Stanley’s father. Two other major members reprising their roles: Jackson Robert Scott ⇒ Georgie Denborough and of course, Bill Skarsgard ⇒ Pennywise.

Other notable casting info: Teach Grant ⇒ adult Henry Bowers. Yeah, Henry isn’t dead. Jess Weixler ⇒ Audra Phillips, Bill’s wife. Will Beinbrink ⇒ Tom Rogan, Beverly’s abusive husband. Xavier Dolan ⇒ Adrian Mellon and Taylor Frey ⇒ Don Hagarty. Adrian and Don are a young gay couple who get harassed by a group of bullies and then attacked by Pennywise.

All the set photos and promos that have been circulating seem to be shaping this film into something spectacular (as expected). I am pumped.

Speaking of pumped, studios aren’t pumping their breaks on Stephen King adaptations, and why would they? “Mr. Mercedes” Season 2 has wrapped up filming and airs August 22^nd on the Audience Network.

Season 1 was a major hit and Season 2 looks to be just as good. All the major characters will be reprising their roles, yes even Harry Treadaway is returning as Brady Hartsfield.

The first season of “Mr. Mercedes” followed Stephen King’s novel of the same name to a T. The second season, however, will follow the events of the third book in the Hodges Trilogy, “End of Watch,” said producer/director Jack Bender.

Wait a second… season two follows book three not book two? Yep, I was confused and a little disappointed too, but Bill Hodges, Holly Gibney, and Jerome Robinson don’t really factor into “Finders Keepers,” (book two), until about halfway through.

With these three characters being such a major part of the first book and first season, fans don’t want to watch a show and have to wait for the halfway point to see the heroes.

I personally really enjoyed “Finders Keepers,” and hope it gets an adaptation, but unfortunately it is doubtful. “End of Watch” is a very dark book and a great finale for King’s trilogy, so season two of “Mr. Mercedes,” should be excellent.

As I mentioned in my last post, the producers of “Mr. Mercedes,” Jack Bender and Marty Bowen have been tapped to work on a 10-episode TV series adaptation of King’s newest novel “The Outsider.” The novel has some Hodges Trilogy ties, so they’re the perfect guys to work on it.

Before I go, here are a couple more updates for you:

John Lithgow poses for a portrait at The Collective and Gibson Lounge Powered by CEG, during the Sundance Film Festival, on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Victoria Will/Invision/AP)

The new “Pet Sematary” adaptation is set to release on April 5^th, 2019. Last time I updated you on this one, Jason Clarke and John Lithgow had been cast as Louis Creed and Jud Crandall, respectively. Since then, filming has begun, Amy Seimetz has been cast as Louis’ wife, Rachel Creed, Jeté Laurence will portray the Creed’s daughter Ellie while twins Hugo and Lucas Lavoie are set to play the Creed’s young son Gage. This adaptation is shaping up to be amazing.

Stephen King and Maryland author Richard Chizmar have teamed up again. They co-wrote the novella Gwendy’s Button Box, but this time they have co-written a script for a film titled “Trapped.” Filming recently began, so stay tuned for more updates.

Ewan McGregor has been cast as Danny Torrance in the upcoming adaptation of “Doctor Sleep,” the sequel to “The Shining” and Rebecca Ferguson has been cast as the antagonist, Rose the Hat. This is very exciting news for constant readers. McGregor may not have the exact look I had in mind for Danny, but he is an excellent actor and I know he will crush the role.

Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, writers of the hit 2018 horror film “A Quiet Place,” have been chosen to write a film adaptation of Stephen King’s short story, “The Boogeyman” from the collection “Night Shift.” With the success of “A Quiet Place,” (it was awesome, trust me), we should expect something great from this adaptation.

Stephen King’s 1980 novel “Firestarter” has been tapped for a new adaptation. Universal Pictures and Blumhouse Productions have brought on Akiva Goldsman and Jason Blum to produce, Fatih Akin to direct, and Scott Teems to write. The original 1984 film was actually decent, but with new technology, this movie could be something special.

The cult classic anthology film, “Creepshow” created by Stephen King and the late George A. Romero, will be remade into a TV series by Greg Nicotero of “The Walking Dead.” The series will air on Shudder. At the moment, information is light, but this seems very exciting.

Lastly, it was announced Monday that King’s 2002 novel “From a Buick 8” has been tapped for an adaptation. William Brent Bell will write and direct, while Addison Mehr and Priya Amritraj will be executive producers. I didn’t love this novel, but I feel like a film adaptation could be really interesting.

Sorry this post ended up a little long winded, but it had been a while since I updated you and, like I said earlier, a lot happened! Anyway, thanks for reading and again stay tuned and keep checking in for more updates.

Netflix Adapting “In the Tall Grass” and More “Pet Sematary” News

The 2019 remake of “Pet Sematary” signed another actor and the director made some big statements. Meanwhile, Netflix nabbed the rights to the co-written novella “In the Tall Grass.”

“Pet Sematary” (2019) screenwriter Jeff Buhler, in an interview with Dread Central, said, he and the directors, Dennis Widmyer and Kevin Kolsch, want to make the upcoming remake King’s scariest movie yet.

They are aiming for a more “grounded and psychologically horrific” adaptation. Buhler also said “if you love the book, you’ll love this movie.” Which is very encouraging.

King’s 1983 novel tells the tale of a doctor and his family who move into a new home in Maine and discover a secret cemetery behind their house that harbors a greater power than they could imagine.

Last week, I told you “Pet Sematary” had landed its leading man; Jason Clarke as Louis Creed. Well, as soon as last week’s post published, it was announced the movie had begun negotiations with another actor.

John Lithgow has joined the cast and will portray the Creed’s neighbor, Jud Crandall. Jud becomes a great friend of Louis and tells the younger man about the horrific past of the cemetery behind his home.

Jud was portrayed by Fred Gwynne, a.k.a. Herman Munster in the 1989 movie. Gwynne nailed the role, so Lithgow has some big shoes to fill.

Lithgow, known for his work on “The Crown” and “3^rd Rock from the Sun,” should be a perfect casting choice for the elderly neighbor. Jud is a wise, sad, and caring old man; all traits which Lithgow can express perfectly. I just hope he hides his goofier side and based on the direction the movie seems to be heading, I’m sure there will be very little room for levity.

“Pet Sematary” is my favorite King novel. I am hoping for an excellent adaptation and I’m chomping at the bit for any news and updates, stay tuned!

“Sometimes dead is better.”

Aside from the “Pet Sematary” remake: on May 8 Netflix announced they purchased the rights to the novella, “In the Tall Grass.” Yes, another King movie!

King wrote “In the Tall Grass” with his oldest son Joe Hill. Hill is also a best-selling author known for novels like “NOS4A2” (which AMC is adapting into a tv series) and “The Fireman” as well as the “Locke and Key” graphic novel series. I guess writing runs in the family.

“In the Tall Grass” was originally released in two parts in the June/July and August 2012 issues of Esquire magazine. In October of 2012, the novella was released in e-book and audiobook formats.

The novella tells the tale of a brother and sister who venture into tall grass in Kansas after hearing a young boy’s cry for help but discover there may be no way out…

James Marsden, known for “Westworld” and “X-Men” has signed on as the lead. Meanwhile, Vincenzo Natali will direct and has written the script while Steve Hoban, Jimmy Miller, and M. Riley will produce the film.

Natali and Hoban worked together on the film “Splice” and Miller and Riley both produced the movie “The Lazarus Effect.”

In 2017, Netflix released two other King adaptations: “1922” and “Gerald’s Game.” Both films were very well done and received great reviews among King’s faithful constant readers.

“In the Tall Grass” will begin production this summer in Toronto but a release date has yet to be announced, so again, stay tuned and thanks for reading!

Stephen King Updates Galore!

The Kingverse has had a busy couple weeks with “Pet Sematary” and “IT” finding possible actors, the rights to “The Long Walk” being bought, “Castle Rock” dropping a new trailer and release date, AND we’re within sight of the release of “The Outsider.”

The second part of director Andy Muschietti’s adaptation of Stephen King’s 1986 novel, “IT,” is set for release on September 6, 2019. Muschietti promised “Chapter Two” would be even scarier than the extremely successful first part which released in September 2017.

The first part of “IT” followed the children of the Losers Club. “Chapter Two” deals with the children as adults and having to rekindle their friendships to once again face-off with Pennywise, the ultra-scary shapeshifting clown, (who will again be portrayed by Bill Skarsgard).

The children actors who portrayed the Losers Club did an excellent job. King fans everywhere have been waiting “patiently” for news of which actors will be portraying the adult Losers Club. Well, it looks like we know (potentially) who three of the seven will be.

On February 20, it was announced that actress Jessica Chastain would portray adult Beverly Marsh. Chastain and Muschietti worked together in the horror film “Mama.” Chastain has the perfect look for Beverly and she is a great actress so I’m sure she will do very well. Constant Readers can breathe a sigh of relief.

On April 12, two actors joined Chastain for “Chapter Two.” Bill Hader has begun talks to portray Richie Tozier, the Losers Club’s jokester. Hader is best known for his work with “Saturday Night Live” and his new hit HBO show, “Barry.” Hader is funny and can be serious when he wants, he’s a perfect Richie in my opinion.

James McAvoy has also begun talks to join the cast of “IT: Chapter Two.” McAvoy is slated for the very important role of Bill Denbrough, the leader of the Losers Club. McAvoy showed he has range with his recent chiller, “Split,” but he is more known for his role in the newer “X-Men” movies.

McAvoy is a great actor, but something about him seems off for the role of Bill. I think he would be better suited to play adult Eddie Kaspbrak, but I trust Muschietti and I like McAvoy, so if he is cast as Bill, then he will be a great Bill.

“IT” isn’t the only adaptation that cast roles recently. The new adaptation of 1983 novel “Pet Sematary” (my favorite King novel), slated for an April 2019 release, has found its leading man.

Jason Clarke is in negotiations to star as Louis Creed, father of the Creed family. “Pet Sematary” is about the Creed’s and the haunted Pet Sematary behind their house where anything buried there comes back to life… changed.

Clarke has the perfect look for Louis, he even looks like a more grisly Dale Midkiff, the actor who portrayed Louis in the 1989 movie. Clarke is known for his work in the recent film “Chappaquiddick” as well as “Zero Dark Thirty,” “Mudbound,” and “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.”

Speaking of adaptations, ANOTHER Stephen King novel had its rights purchased on April 25.

New Line Cinema has purchased the rights to King’s 1979 novel “The Long Walk.” James Vanderbilt will be writing and producing alongside Bradley Fischer and William Sherak.

King wrote “The Long Walk” under the Richard Bachman pseudonym. The novel tells the story of Ray Garraty in a future dystopia where every year the Long Walk contest takes place. The contest pits 100 teens in a walking journey where if you stop or walk too slow more than twice (three strikes and you’re out) then you are shot and left for dead on the side of the road. Last man standing is awarded the prize, which is anything you want for the rest of your life.

“The Long Walk” is one of my favorite Bachman books, and I have it very high in my King rankings, so I, and all other constant readers, are hoping for a stellar adaptation.

Remember way back, when we discussed the upcoming show “Castle Rock” based on King’s haunted city? Well, on May 2, Hulu released a brand new chilling trailer and a release date (FINALLY) for the anthology series.

Creepy right? Well I don’t know about you, but I am very excited for July 25. J.J. Abrams and Hulu did a good job with their adaptation of King’s time-travel novel “11/22/63,” so I am expecting good things from “Castle Rock.” The show has been shrouded in mystery and I think that is a good thing and will ultimately make for a better viewing experience for fans.

So I have done a lot of talk about all these movies and TV shows based off Stephen King’s books, well guess what? The Man is still writing! Yeah, that’s right, and we are in release month!

“The Outsider” is set for release on May 22, and I am stoked. The 576 page novel sounds absolutely chilling. The mysterious and somewhat vague synopsis sounds like we are being set up for some classic King twists and thrills. I have been “patiently” waiting for this since I pre-ordered it in October and I will be waiting by the door for the mailman on release day.