Doug Liman to Helm Stephen King’s ‘The Stand’ Film Adaptation for Paramount

Paramount Pictures is teaming up with director Doug Liman to bring Stephen King’s epic novel ‘The Stand’ to the big screen. Liman is set to helm the adaptation and will also produce the project alongside Tyler Thompson of Cross Creek Pictures, with whom he previously collaborated on the 2017 film ‘American Made’.

The studio is currently seeking writers for the screenplay, which is expected to become one of the most sought-after assignments in the industry. ‘The Stand’, originally published in 1978 and later expanded in 1990, is King’s longest novel at over 1,150 pages and has long been considered a landmark work in the post-apocalyptic genre. Its influence has extended into television, music, and literature, inspiring everything from the TV show ‘Lost’ to songs by Metallica.

The novel depicts a devastating virus that wipes out most of humanity, leading to a sweeping battle between good and evil. Among the many interconnected characters are the enigmatic Mother Abigail and the destructive Randall Flagg, whose final confrontation plays out in a desolate Las Vegas.

Though ‘The Stand’ has been adapted twice for television—in 1994 and again in 2020—as well as a Marvel comic series, it has long eluded a successful cinematic treatment. Over the years, directors including George A. Romero, David Yates, and Ben Affleck have attempted to bring the story to the big screen. Previous efforts from Warner Bros. and CBS Films in the 2010s failed to materialise.

Sources close to the project indicated that Liman and Paramount have a specific vision for the film, and that this adaptation is intended as a standalone feature rather than a multi-film saga.

Liman, known for pushing boundaries in Hollywood, first gained attention with indie hits like ‘Swingers’ and ‘Go’, before moving into mainstream action with ‘The Bourne Identity’. He later directed major titles such as ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith’ and ‘Edge of Tomorrow’, and recently tackled the ‘Road House’ remake starring Jake Gyllenhaal, which became one of Amazon MGM’s most-watched releases. He is also attached to ‘Deeper’, an underwater supernatural thriller potentially starring Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas.

Stephen King Adaptations Continue to Dominate Film and TV

Stephen King’s work remains in high demand across film and television. This year alone includes releases such as ‘The Monkey’ (via Neon) and ‘The Life of Chuck’, written and directed by Mike Flanagan. Upcoming projects include ‘The Long Walk’ from Lionsgate and a fresh adaptation of ‘The Running Man’ by Edgar Wright for Paramount.

Doug Liman is represented by CAA and Weintraub Tobin, while Stephen King is repped by Rand Holston Management and Gang Tyre.

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