We think Josh Boone’s film adaptation of The Stand might be the start of an entire cinematic universe.
In fact, its going to takefourmovies.
There is a bigger discussion to be had about what this means for Stephen King movies moving forward.
The film studio is currently suffering a franchise dry spell.
Both series reached their logical conclusions, and Warner Bros. have been left scattering for something new.
WBs answer to their big franchise problem?
Is Warner Bros. doing the right thing by jampacking their line-up with big budget, franchise-igniting films?
Were entering a state of blockbuster overload that will probably leave us a bit fatigued by New Years 2021.
But what else can they do if they want to keep up with the times?
Its what the people want until they no longer do (2020 franchise apocalypse imminent).
Hello, Uncle Stevie.
Your Constant Readers love your books and will watch all of the movies based on them.
Not to mention that many of your novels connect and take place in the same universe.
If Warner Bros. were smart, theyd mine the King Universe for that much-needed franchise.
Yet this universe has one of the most coherent backbones ever known in fiction.
World-building wouldnt be difficult at all.
King introduces one point in his fictional universe around which all of his other supernatural tales revolve.
This might be grossly simplistic, but: you know how the Solar System works, right?
Then you know how the Stephen King Universe works.
Imagine Randall Flagg was trying to blow up the sun.
Better men than me have tried.
The connections are even more extensive when you look at how his standalone novels and stories connect, e.g.
the PENNYWISE LIVES reference inDreamcatcher.
EvenKingis a character in this maxi-series.
RELATED ARTICLE: Stephen Kings 10 Greatest Human Villains
Where doesThe Standcome in?
Flagg is a man of many faces.
He appears inThe Dark Towerseveral times under different identities to cause trouble for Roland and his ka-tet.
InThe Stand, Flagg is not unlike the Joker.
In fact, he might be this universes version of that character.
For example, at one point in the novel.
Flagg points out that his origin remains a mystery.
Wherever Flagg goes, his motive is always to topple the established order and rebuild civilization as its ruler.
But what if McConaughey isnt really into the idea of playing the same character for 4+ films?
Thats not really a problem.
Like I said before, Flagg has a dozen identities with different likenesses.
No one can possibly complain if they change the actor onceThe Standis complete.
You almostneedsomeone different to portray guys like Walter oDim and Marten Broadcloak.
And dont forget those other films I mentioned in the intro.
I reached out to MRC about the status of the project, but they declined to comment.
Whether you approve or not, you cant deny the opportunity here.
Think Marvel Cinematic Universe: iconic villain that appears in more than one film?
The ability to make several Stephen King movies out of one book or series?
Wait, and so much of this stuff already connects and makes sense together?
Warner Bros. has a winner.
John Saavedra is a huge Stephen King fan.
Palaver with himon Twitter.
