As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the labyrinthine world of Stephen King, I must say that the cast for “The Institute” is shaping up to be quite intriguing. The blend of youthful exuberance from Simone Miller and Jason Diaz’s menacing presence seems like a recipe for a riveting cat-and-mouse game reminiscent of Todd Bowden and Kurt Dussander in “Apt Pupil.”
The inherent nature of art is open to individual interpretation… Yet, when a specific artwork gains immense popularity, one might question if this widespread appeal stems from exceptional quality or indicates an ease of understanding that suggests the work fails to provoke thought among viewers. This discussion lacks a definitive solution and instead, relies on personal viewpoints – and this week, renowned author Stephen King shared his thoughts on the topic.
That, however, is only the lead story in this week’s edition of The King Beat, which also includes exciting casting news for an upcoming King adaptation as well as a brand new Recommendation Of The Week. There’s a lot to get into, so let’s dig in!
Stephen King Delivers A Blunt And Funny Response To His Early Critics
Over a span of more than half a century, Stephen King has made an indelible and undeniable mark on the literary landscape as a novelist. His books are cherished globally, and his influence on popular culture is immeasurable – notably in the horror genre, but extending far beyond it. He stands among the most esteemed authors of all time… yet he harbors some disagreement with critics who believe his work isn’t “serious” due to its popularity.
King reminisced about his interactions with critics in a conversation with PBS News Hour, delving into various aspects of his career spanning five decades, including his latest work, the anthology titled “You Like It Darker“. Throughout these decades, King has experienced significant success, beginning with the publication of “Carrie” in 1974 and its subsequent film adaptation by Brian De Palma in 1976. However, he recollects not receiving the recognition he felt was due to a belief that truly “good” works may not be widely embraced by the public. King explained this sentiment during the interview.
At one point, I struggled with the feeling that my writing would never be recognized as genuine literature, only seen as a means to earn money. This frustration arose because it appeared that there was an unspoken belief about mass-market fiction – that if it’s widely read, it must lack quality. However, I’ve always believed that readers can appreciate and enjoy works on various levels of complexity.
Absolutely, Stephen King isn’t the only artist grappling with this specific issue. Movies from the Marvel Cinematic Universe have faced ongoing criticism, with directors like Martin Scorsese attempting to distinguish between “art” and “entertainment.” During every awards season, discussions arise about whether or not blockbuster movies of the year could potentially be contenders for Oscars. If a work is enjoyed by many, it’s often assumed that it caters to the least common denominator – which isn’t accurate.
Stephen King once refused to consider the success of his books as a reason for them being deemed “lesser,” but it’s important to acknowledge that he faced several bouts of self-doubt. One notable instance of this was when he wrote novels under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, such as “Rage“, “The Running Man“, “Roadwork“, “The Long Walk“, and “Thinner“. He chose to publish these works anonymously because he questioned whether his string of best-sellers were solely due to the merit of the work or because of the reputation he built from his initial novels. Eventually, King came to terms with his own success as expressed in his essay titled “The Importance of Being Bachman.”
Upon examining the given quote, it appears that Stephen King has grown more resilient towards critical feedback, as suggested by his less tense writing style. This change may have occurred because, according to his response in an interview, he seems to have moved past his concerns about criticism at some point.
Over time, I’ve grown older. It’s quite possible that many of those critics who were not fond of my work have passed away by now. To them, I offer no apologies.
They say that the best revenge is living well, but I suppose simply living on in general does the trick as well.
The Institute TV Series Adds Two Actors In Key Roles To Join Cast Including Ben Barnes And Mary Louise Parker
Right now, it’s a thrilling period for fans of Stephen King, as there are numerous upcoming adaptations on the horizon! In October, Gary Dauberman’s “Salem’s Lot” will be available for Max subscribers, followed by Mike Flanagan’s “The Life Of Chuck” premiering at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. Osgood Perkins’ “The Monkey” is scheduled for early next year, with “Welcome To Derry” debuting in late 2025. Production on Francis Lawrence’s “The Long Walk” started this summer, and Edgar Wright’s remake of “The Running Man” is preparing to begin filming this fall.
That’s a lot of goodness on the way – but not to be forgotten in the mix is the upcoming TV series based on the 2019 novel The Institute, and helping to remind us of that fact is news of two new cast additions this week.
Back in June, it was disclosed that MGM+ is working on a series titled The Institute, which is being produced by Jack Bender (known for his work on Mr. Mercedes) and Benjamin Cavell (The Stand)). The original announcement mentioned Mary Louise-Parker and Ben Barnes as part of the project, but more recently, Deadline reported that Simone Miller and Jason Diaz have joined the cast in significant roles.
In “The Institute,” 12-year-old Luke Ellis unexpectedly finds himself kidnapped and transported to a secretive institution where children endowed with psychic powers, such as telekinesis or telepathy, are subjected to testing and experimentation. Mary-Louise Parker will portray the chilling head of this titled facility, Mrs. Sigsby, while Ben Barnes takes on the role of Tim Jamieson, a former police officer whose life becomes entwined with Luke’s as he relocates from his home in Florida to a tiny town in South Carolina.
Although the Luke Ellis cast for MGM+ series remains unannounced, Simone Miller has been confirmed to portray Kalisha, one of the older kids at The Institute who eventually becomes Luke’s first friend. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Miller gained prominence with her role as Raign Westbrook on the CBC Kids television series “Detention Adventure.” More recently, she has appeared in 13 episodes of the show “Run The Burbs” as Mannix.
As a fan, I’m thrilled to share that I’ll be stepping into an intriguing role in the upcoming series, “The Institute“. In this story, I’ll be on the opposing side, joining forces with the chilling character of Mrs. Sigsby. My character, Tony, is no ordinary orderly; he carries a hint of a sinister streak, particularly a touch of sadism that adds an edge to his persona.
The only “bad” news to share is that the trade report doesn’t include any information regarding the start of production on the series. That being said, with the cast now starting to come together, it wouldn’t be surprising in the slightest to learn that The Institute is planning to start rolling cameras before the end of 2024. Needless to say, you can be sure that I’ll be keeping a close eye on the project here on TopMob as new developments are announced.
Recommendation Of The Week: “Apt Pupil”
42 years ago this week, did you know that Stephen King’s remarkable collection called “Different Seasons” was first published? This work set a significant trend in King’s writing by compiling four distinct novellas instead of a mix of short stories. Each story is captivating on its own, and I’ve previously had chances to suggest three out of the four – specifically, “Rita Hayworth And Shawshank Redemption,” “The Body,” and “The Breathing Method.” However, today I’d like to encourage you to explore what is arguably the most debated story within the book: “Apt Pupil.”
Back in the ’70s L.A., I stumbled upon a chilling tale penned by Stephen King, titled “Apt Pupil.” It’s about a troubled teen named Todd Bowden who befriends an enigmatic neighbor, Arthur Denker, only to uncover that he’s none other than Kurt Dussander – a notorious Nazi war criminal. Instead of turning him in, I found myself manipulating him for grisly details of his past atrocities. As our bond deepens, it spirals into a twisted game of cat and mouse, with me playing both the hunter and the hunted. This dark dance takes a heavy toll on my mental wellbeing. Let’s just say, if you’re planning to read this one before bedtime, think again!
This wraps up this week’s episode of The King Beat! As usual, I’ll catch up with you all again here on TopMob next Thursday for another installment filled with the latest news about Stephen King. In the meantime, feel free to explore my series “Adapting Stephen King,” where we delve into the rich history of Stephen King’s works being transformed for film and TV screenplays.
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2024-08-29 19:44