The
King of Horror: Ten Stephen King Books that need to be Movies.
If Edgar Allan Poe is the master of horror of the 19th century and H. P. Lovecraft the master in the 20th century, then Stephen King is the master in the 21st century. Movie-goers would be hard-pressed to find a King book that has yet to make the transition to the silver screen. Despite being a master of the macabre, some of the best movies from Stephen King's works aren't horror stories. The Shawshank Redemption, Stand by Me, and The Green Mile are fantastic movies that have received praise from critics and movie-goers alike but lack King’s definitive horror style.
Since Carrie is being re-released (for the
THIRD time) we here at Badhaven thought it would be fun to list the few
remaining books that haven’t been made into film. Here are ten dark tales that
need to make it into theatres.
10. The Long Walk
Synopsis: In a dystopian future, one hundred
teenage boys are gather to compete in an event known as “The Long Walk.” There are
several rules:
·
Runners
must keep a speed of four miles an hour.
·
There
are no stops, no breaks, and no finish line.
·
Runners
can receive aid only from the soldiers.
·
Runners
that disobey these rules are given a verbal warning.
·
Three
verbal warnings result with the runner being “ticketed.”
·
The
last man standing will receive “The Prize.” Anything they want for the rest of
their lives.
The boys
open up to each other as The Walk stretches onward. They share their plans for after
The Walk, their pasts, and their fears. As The Walk continues the societal
norms break down and the runners reveal their true natures and new friendships
are tested. Hope gives into despair as more and more runners are “ticketed.”
The boys start to question why they joined The Walk and their optimism gives
way to reality: they are running for their lives.
Why
it should be a film:
King’s book is filled with questions on philosophy, the nature of humans, and
questions about life and death all wrapped up in locker room-type dialogue.
The
story has plenty of shocking and emotional moments. You’ll cringe as each boy
is ticketed, even more so when it’s a runner you’ve come to like. The story
brings out the raw emotions buried deep in a person. This is like The Hunger Games meets Lord of the Flies. It’s dark, it’s
depressing, and it makes us question our choices.
Progress: So far, only the great Frank
Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption, The
Green Mile, The Walking Dead) has expressed interest in making the film
version. No further information has come up.
9. The Talisman
Synopsis:
The Talisman tells the tale of Jack
Sawyer and his quest to save his mother by journeying to a parallel world known
as “The Territories.” Jack discovers that everyone has a “Twinner” or a
parallel individual in the other world. Twinner’s lives are comparable to their
counterpart in major events such as birth and death. Jack’s twinner is already
dead which allows him to cross dimensions and explore the Territories. Jack
must join with his childhood friend Richard and a werewolf known only as “Wolf”
to stop the evil Morgan of Orris and save Queen Laura DeLossian, his mother’s
twinner.
Why
it should be a film:
The Talisman captures the love of a
child for his mother and the bond between friends. Despite the child-like
premise, this is not Lord of the Rings.
This is not Narnia. The Talisman is the twisted fantasy
world of two of the greatest horror authors of the twenty first century. The
book has already garnered plenty of attention from producers who see the
potential in this novel. There’re people waiting in the wing to make this into
a blockbuster.
Progress: So far, all the adaptations
have been canned. TNT showed some interest in making the book into a
mini-series but canceled it in 2008. A comic version by Del Rey comics has
started but has been put on hold for the time being.
8. The Eyes of the Dragon
Synopsis: The Eyes of the Dragon takes place in the Kingdom of Delain where
Peter, the heir to the throne, is framed for his father’s death by the court
magician Flagg. Peter is imprisoned in the tower known as “The Needle” and
needs to escape to defeat Flagg and take his rightful place as king. If he
fails, Flagg will plunge Delain into a millennium of anarchy.
This
story deviates from King’s normal bread and butter. The Eyes of the Dragon is a fantasy adventure novel that has
connections to The Dark Tower series
and revolves around the classic theme of good vs. evil. The Eyes of the Dragon shares a remarkable resemblance to King’s
previous novel The Stand with similar
characters and plot.
Why
it should be a film: Adult fantasy is already filling TVs
with shows like Game of Thrones. Now
is the perfect time for a grownup fantasy movie. The name “Flagg” should sound
familiar to any fan of Stephen King who serves as a recurring antagonist. A
movie adaptation would be a great opportunity to introduce the world of The Dark Tower to audiences.
Progress: The Syfy channel has elected to
make a TV series out of the novel but that’s not what we want. We want to see
this epic adventure on the big screen. If it does become a series, it needs to
be able to give Game of Thrones a run
for its money.
7. The Regulators
Synopsis: In Wentworth Ohio, Popular
Street, strange events have begun to occur. Bizarre vans with satellite dishes
have executed several drive-by shootings on the residents. Cacti are growing in
an unsuitable climate. Mountain lions and Gila monsters are attacking people.
All caused by an autistic child controlled by the terrible god known as Tak.
The Regulators takes the imaginative world of a
child and corrupts it into a world of insanity and destruction. The book shares
several connectons with King’s work of fiction Desperation. The malevolence of Tak could not be kept in one story.
Why
it should be a film:
Have you ever seen Desperation the
movie? No? You shouldn’t. It’s a mediocre film at best plagued by a list of
problems. How often do you take something with Ron Pearlman seriously? (Besides
Sons of Anarchy)
Since
Desperation is so… suckyish, why not
redeem it with the sequel The Regulators?
Another
point to note is that Autism is a big issue in the world right now. The story
of an autistic boy would appeal to a large audience today.
Progress: Ironically, The Regulators was originally a script
born from a social outing with Stephen King and the late Sam Peckinpah (The Wild Bunch, Pat Garret and Billy the Kid).
It seems that The Regulators is
destined for Hollywood some day, but for now, no one has shown interest in
making the novel into a film.
6.
Lisey’s Story
Synopsis: Lisey Landon is the widower of famous
author Scott Landon. As she goes through her husband’s things, she recalls her
husband’s struggle with a family illness and his ability to transport himself
to “Boo’ya Moon.” Lisey must travel to Boo’ya Moon and discover the last story
her husband left for her. “Lisey’s Story.”
While
Lisey’s Story does deal with death,
the supernatural and parallel dimensions, this novel is more of a love story.
King’s insight in the relationship between an author and their loved ones is so
surreal, that we can’t help but think it mimics King’s own relationship with
his wife Tabitha.
Why
it should be a film:
As mentioned earlier, the best movies based on Stephen King’s novella aren’t
horror novels. The Shawshank Redemption
and The Green Mile have some supernatural
elements in them but focus more on people and the drama in their lives. If a
non-horror book like The Shawshank
Redemption could become one of the most remarkable and beloved movies of
all time, then what could Lisey’s Story
become?
Progress: Although King stated that this
is his favorite novel, no one has taken an interest in this book. King fans may
have to wait a while to travel to Boo’ya Moon.
5.
Insomnia
Synopsis: Ralph Roberts suffers from an
extreme case of insomnia, going through days without sleep. His lack of sleep
allows him to see “auras” around people and strange men he calls the “little
bald doctors.” The two “good” doctors introduce themselves as Clotho and
Lachesis. They enlist Ralph to help them stop the “bad” doctor Atropos and the
Crimson King. A prophecy foretells that a young boy named Patrick Danville will
be instrumental in the Crimson King’s downfall. Ralph must protect this young
boy, even if it costs him his life.
Why
it should be a movie:
If you’ve ever suffered from insomnia you know what kind of hell it is. You’re
body begs you to sleep and you’re eyes get heavy but just won’t stay closed.
You start to worry about what you will do tomorrow. How will you function without
sleep? These thoughts torment your mind causing you to stay up even longer.
Anyone who has had insomnia can relate to this story.
This
is another look into the world of The
Dark Tower series. The movie can be used to draw in people and prepare them
for the Dark Tower series. Or, it can
be made after the Dark Tower series
as a prequel (like The Hobbit
movies).
Progress: Besides the report by Rotten
Tomatoes that Rob Schmidt (Wrong Turn,
The Alphabet Killer) was asked to make the movie, no other news has popped
up.
4. The Girl who Loved Tom Gordon
(Yup,
it’s a pop-up book too.)
Synopsis: After getting lost during a
family hiking trip, nine year old Trisha is left with her walkman and a few
supplies to survive in the dense forest. To keep her sanity, she uses her
walkman to listen in to the Red Sox’s games, especially her crush Tom Gordon.
Trisha suffers from hallucinate due to dehydration and hunger. She believes
that she is in the forest to face down the God of the Lost, a hornet-faced
creature that is tracking her. The line between reality and supernatural is
tested as Trisha attempts to survive until help can find her.
Why
it should be a movie:
As one of Stephen King’s shortest works, The
Girl who loved Tom Gordon comes in at a short two hundred and twenty four
pages. The book has even been made into a pop-up book for younger readers. Many
of King’s stories become mini-series on TV to due to the large amount of
content. Because this book is shorter, it could easily be made into a movie.
Progress: The zombie man himself George
Romero has stated that he would like to make The Girl who loved Tom Gordon into a film but the movie was stalled
about seven years ago.
3.
Duma Key
Synopsis: Contractor Edgar Freemantle
moves to the island of Duma Key after surviving a horrific on-site accident
which costs him his right arm. Under the advice of his doctor, Edgar takes up
painting to help with his recovery. He discovers that his paintings have a
powerful effect on the island and people in his life. Edgar learns about the
disturbing history behind Duma Key and the owner of the island Elizabeth
Eastlake. Someone or something named Perse is using his paintings to posses and
kill people just as she did years ago.
Why
it should be a movie:
King’s book appeals to artists and amputees alike. Duma Key gives in-depth details of the struggles that amputees
experience in a method only Stephen King can invent. Themes of time, reflection
and loss are prevalent throughout the book that both entertain and horrify
readers. Duma Key takes place in
beautiful Florida which could create a visually-stunning movie.
Progress: You’d think that a
well-reviewed book about scenic Florida would make Hollywood jump but no one
has made an offer yet.
Doctor
Sleep
Synopsis: Dan Torrance has experienced a
lot since his experience at the Overlook hotel. Middle-aged Danny is still
traumatized by the events at the hotel causing him to turn to alcohol like his
father. He uses his Shining abilities to
help the elderly pass away easily, earning him the titular name “Doctor Sleep.”
Dan is contacted by Abba, a girl who shares his “Shining” ability. Abba tells
Dan of a group called “The True Knot,” a group of immortals who feed off of
those who have the Shining ability. She begs Dan to help her before she becomes
their next sacrifice.
Why
it should be a movie:
The Shining stands as a masterpiece
of cinema despite deviating from the book. The movie hits all the right notes
with a terrifying atmosphere, scares that catch you off-guard and of course the
famous line “Here’s Johnny!” How rare is a horror movie where only two people
die? All we need is to get Kubrick and Nicholson on board and we’ll have
another horror masterpiece. The best part is that all those iconic ghosts that
made us cower under our bed can return.
Progress: Given that this is King’s most
recent work, it’s understandable that there are no plans for a movie. Once the
book gains enough popularity the movie should be on its way.
1.
The Dark Tower Series
Synopsis: “The man in black fled across
the desert and the gunslinger followed.” These are iconic opening lines that
start the Dark Tower series. Roland
Deschain, the last gunslinger, searches for the “man in black” and the Dark
Tower. On the way to the Tower, Roland will come across people who will become
members of his “ka-tet.”
What
else can we say about this series? The
Dark Tower series is considered to be
King’s masterpieces. This is his magnum opus. Themes of The Dark Tower such as recurring villain Randall Flagg and the Dark
Tower all make appearances in many of King’s works. This series of eight novels
(we expect eleven more, only Dark Tower fans will get this pun…) is an
incredible journey that needs to be read. 
Why
it should be a movie:
Seriously? Do we have to explain why this should be a movie? If you need any
further proof why The Dark Tower
should be a movie then go read the books!
Progress: Getting The Dark Tower off the ground has been disastrous at best. J. J.
Abram was slated to direct the film in 2007 but dropped off the project. Several
studios have shown interest in the series such as Universal Studios, Warner
Bros. and even HBO. At this time, Ron Howard is going to be directing the film
and Russell Crowe may be playing Roland. Beyond this, no new news has been
released. Someone get on the phone and tell Howard to kick it into gear!
There
you go. Those were the top ten Stephen King books that need to be movies. Keep
reading, we’ll be posting more of King’s works soon. Thanks for reading!
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