Stephen King adaptation is once again without a director…
Long-in-development, Warner Bros.’big screen adaptation of the Stephen King epic ‘The Stand’ has seen a number of directors come and go, names like David Yates and Ben Affleck. Back in August, Scott Coopercame onboard after the departure of Affleck, but now it looks like the adaptation is back at square one with TheWrap reporting that the ‘Crazy Heart’ helmer has vacated the director’s chair.
According to sources close to the project, the ‘Crazy Heart’ writer/director stepped away from the adaptation due to “creative differences” with the studio. ‘Captain Phillips’ helmer Paul Greengrass is rumoured to be on top of Warner Bros’ wishlist of potential replacements.
Regarded as King’s best work to date, ‘The Stand’ tells the story of “a full-scale apocalypse; a world stripped of its institutions and emptied of 99 percent of its people. A world in which a handful of panicky survivors choose sides — or are chosen. A world in which good rides on the frail shoulders of the 108-year-old Mother Abigail — and the worst nightmares of evil are embodied in a man with a lethal smile and unspeakable powers: Randall Flagg, the dark man.”
The 1000 plus page novel was previously adapted into a six-hour TV mini-series in 1994. Faithful but toned down, the series starred Gary Sinise, Molly Ringwald, Shawnee Smith and Ed Harris.
Cooper’s latest offering, the revenge thriller ‘Out of the Furnace’ starring Christian Bale, Woody Harrelson, Zoe Saldana and Casey Affleck arrives in Irish cinemas early 2014.