New Line Cinema is staying in business with iconic authorStephen King, after the success ofIT, the highest-grossing horror movie of all time. The studio is moving forward on an adaptation of Stephen King’sThe Long Walk, hiring James Vanderbilt to write the screenplay adaptation, although no one has been brought on to direct at this time. Vanderbilt will also produce through his Mythology Entertainment company, alongside partners Bradley Fisher and William Sherak, with Tracey Nyberg serving as an executive producer.
The Long Walkwas first published in 1973, with Stephen King writing the book under hispen name RIchard Bachman. The story is set in a future dystopian version of America that is ruled by an authoritarian leader. Every year, the country holds an annual walking contest where 100 teenagers must keep walking under strict rules until only one is left standing, with the winner receiving a sizable prize. The book follows a 16-year-old walker named Raymond Garraty and the other teenagers in his group, some who are good, some bad and some with mysterious agendas.
Both Jame Vanderbilt and Bradley Fisher, who formed Mythology Entertainment with Laeta Kalogridis in 2011, had been trying to bringThe Long Walkto the big screen for more than a decade. The project had originally been stuck in development for years with Frank Darabont, who had previouslyadapted Stephen King storieswithThe Shawshank Redemption,The Green MileandThe Mist. James Vanderbilt was so passionate about trying to make a movie based onThe Long Walkthat he wrote early drafts of his adaptation on spec several years ago, even though he did not have the screen rights. Once Darabont exited the project, Vanderbilt and Fisher brought the project to New Line.
This project is just the latest to come forward after a number of successful Stephen King adaptations last year. WhileThe Dark Tower was a surprising flop,ITmade box office history by breaking the 44-year-old record set byThe Exorcistto become the highest-grossing horror movie ever, and the first ever horror movie to crack $300 million domestic. Netflix also debuted adaptations ofGerald’s Gameand1922last year, while TV shows based on King’s work such asThe MistandMr. Mercedeswere well received.
The Stephen King renaissance is showing no signs of slowing down, with the upcoming TV seriesCastle Rock, showcasing thefictional Maine townthat has connections to several King stories. Paramount is also developing an adaptation of Stephen King’sPet Semetarywhile Universal recently won a bidding war for an adaptation ofThe Tommyknockers, which has James Wan and Roy Lee set to produce. James Vanderbilt first made a name for himself as a writer 15 years ago, when his first three films,Basic,Darkness FallsandThe Rundownall hit theaters in the same year. His writing credits also includeZodiac,The Losers,The Amazing Spider-Man,White House Down,The Amazing Spider-Man 2,Solace, his directorial debutTruth,Independence Day: Resurgenceand upcoming moviesThe Janson DirectiveandMurder Mystery.The Hollywood Reporterbroke the news earlier today.
