Thescreescore – Paramount’s announcement of a new The Stand movie, helmed by The Bourne Identity‘s Doug Liman, has sent shockwaves through the fanbase, particularly among those involved in the 2020 Paramount+ miniseries. Fiona Dourif, who played the memorable Rat Woman in the recent adaptation, took to X (formerly Twitter) with a succinct, yet perfectly encapsulating reaction: "Again?!?" Her single, exasperated query perfectly mirrors the bewilderment of many fans and critics.
Dourif’s sentiment isn’t an isolated incident. The 2020 miniseries, despite boasting a star-studded cast including James Marsden and Alexander Skarsgård, received a mixed critical reception, failing to capture the magic of the original 1994 adaptation or the enduring power of Stephen King’s novel. The news of yet another adaptation, so soon after the last, has left many questioning the studio’s decision-making process.
While King’s works are frequently revisited and reimagined, the timing of this new The Stand project is particularly perplexing. A 26-year gap separated the first and second adaptations; this rapid-fire reboot feels premature, especially considering King’s own involvement in revising the ending for the 2020 version. He and his son, Owen King, even penned the final episode, offering a third iteration of the novel’s conclusion. Will this new film introduce a fourth, drastically different ending? The prospect alone is enough to make fans apprehensive.
Related Post
The track record of recent King adaptations isn’t exactly encouraging. The 2020 The Stand and Max’s 2024 Salem’s Lot reboot both struggled to meet expectations, raising concerns about whether Liman’s film can break the cycle of underwhelming reboots. While audiences always welcome fresh interpretations of King’s iconic stories, the question remains: is this The Stand reboot truly necessary, or just another case of Hollywood’s insatiable appetite for familiar franchises? Only time will tell if Liman can defy the odds and deliver a truly compelling cinematic experience. Source: Fiona Dourif/X
Leave a Comment