As a cinephile who has spent countless hours delving into the rich tapestry of cinema history, I find it truly fascinating to observe the trajectory of emerging talent and the impact they can have on the industry. The case of Jeremy Saulnier and his latest masterpiece, “Rebel Ridge,” is a perfect example of this transformative power.
Filmmakers have a long history of adapting Stephen King’s works, but it’s no walk in the park. His distinctive style, which can be quite wordy, often conflicts with the length of movies, prompting screenwriters to edit and shorten scenes and plots. However, there are some truly outlandish concepts that simply prove too complex for the big screen. This week’s focus in The King Beat is on the latter – particularly the struggle to bring the remarkable turtle Maturin to life in the 2019 film IT: Chapter Two.
Not only that, but this week has also brought a thrilling Stephen King update for award contenders. Intriguingly, the author himself has shared a fresh streaming suggestion with his followers (make sure your Netflix account is up-to-date first). There’s plenty to explore, so let’s dive right in!
James McAvoy Made Overt Efforts To Include References To Maturin The Turtle In IT: Chapter Two
Behold the colossal turtle! Upon its back, it carries the world.” This phrase will resonate with fans of The Dark Tower series, and it underscores the importance of Maturin, a key figure of good in Stephen King’s universe. In King’s Mid-World saga, Maturin holds a significant role, though his contributions may be less recognized if you’ve only encountered adaptations of the novel, particularly in IT.
In both the 1990 miniseries and director Andy Muschietti’s two-part films, there are only minor nods (Easter eggs) towards Maturin, not because the creators didn’t want to, but James McAvoy from “IT: Chapter Two” stated that they attempted to include more tributes, yet none of these ideas survived during the editing process.
Actor James McAvoy is currently receiving recognition for his performance in the horror film “Speak No Evil”, and during a recent interview on ReelBlend, he discussed some of his past work within this genre. In addition, McAvoy portrays William “Bill” Denbrough as an adult in “IT: Chapter Two”, a role he takes pride in for its faithful adaptation of the source material. However, he also mentioned that he made an effort to incorporate more references to Maturin during the film’s production.
I found the film version quite true to the book. In my opinion, Andy did a wonderful job of adapting it most of the time. Do you recall the part about The Turtle? You’re familiar with the book, right? It’s one of my all-time favorites. And The Turtle seems to be a recurring theme for the children. They often mention it, like ‘The Turtle won’t save us…’ and so on. I was constantly trying to incorporate The Turtle into the movie wherever possible.
Regrettably, all that hard work seemed futile. It appears that Director Andy Muschietti allowed James McAvoy to act out scenes involving Maturin, but these scenes didn’t end up in the final version of the movie. McAvoy persisted with his performances.
Andy was incredibly amiable and considerate, always avoiding criticism. However, each time I introduced ‘The Turtle’, it seemed as if a thought crossed his mind: “Perhaps I’ll exclude that from the final cut.
Andy Muschietti and Gary Dauberman’s film IT: Chapter Two more accurately portrays the adult portion of the novel compared to the 1990 miniseries. For instance, it features a depiction of The Ritual Of Chüd, which is employed to vanquish Pennywise, although it varies somewhat from the book’s description. Regrettably, Maturin, the formidable cosmic adversary of the Deadlights with whom Bill communicates in search of a solution to save Derry, Maine, does not make an appearance in this film.
Great news! Though the story of the Losers Club was fully explored in 2017’s IT and its 2019 sequel, there’s a chance to return to that world with the upcoming HBO prequel series titled “Welcome To Derry,” scheduled for a 2025 release (no exact date given yet). In this new series, Bill Skarsgård will once again play Pennywise. Given this, there’s a possibility that Maturin could join the storyline as well.
Keep an eye out for fresh updates about “Welcome To Derry” right here on TopMob. If you’re feeling like diving into the world of “IT” and “IT: Chapter Two”, unfortunately, neither film is currently streamable on any subscription platform. However, you can rent or buy these movies digitally, or purchase them in 4K Ultra HD format instead.
The Life Of Chuck Won An Exciting Prize Following Its Premiere At The Toronto International Film Festival
In my review of the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this month, I mentioned that Mike Flanagan’s film “The Life Of Chuck” will likely be remembered as one of Stephen King’s best movies. This captivating and heartfelt movie has been well-received by audiences, and it’s not just my opinion – the acclaim is backed up by awards. In fact, this week, it was announced that “The Life Of Chuck” won the Toronto International Film Festival People’s Choice Award, further solidifying its standing as a standout King adaptation.
This year’s lineup at TIFF was remarkable, boasting other outstanding films such as Edward Berger’s tantalizing drama “Conclave” and DreamWorks Animation’s amusing and visually stunning “The Wild Robot”. However, it was “The Life Of Chuck” that captivated the hearts of TIFF spectators. After the announcement, a heartfelt Mike Flanagan shared his thoughts in a video response, which you can view below:
Stephen King attended the world debut of “The Life Of Chuck”, a movie adapted from his 2020 novella in the collection “If It Bleeds”. He was thrilled to learn that it had won the People’s Choice Award, expressing this excitement on Twitter.
2024 Update: The film “LIFE OF CHUCK” surprised many as it took home the prestigious People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). I couldn’t be happier for director Mike Flanagan and his gifted cast of performers. [September 15, 2024]
Of note in this conversation is where this leaves The Life Of Chuck in the 2024 awards season, as there is an interesting history of People’s Choice Award recipients going on to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards. There isn’t a direct correlation, but the list of titles that have won both prizes in the last 14 years includes Chloé Zhao’s Nomadland, Peter Farrelly’s Green Book, Damien Chazelle’s La La Land, Steve McQueen’s 12 Years A Slave and Tom Hooper’s The King’s Speech.
Currently, one significant factor preventing wider recognition for “The Life Of Chuck” is the lack of an officially announced distributor. To secure Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences consideration, it needs a theatrical release by the end of this year. Given its recent triumph at TIFF, it’s likely that several prospective buyers are eagerly pursuing a deal for this indie film. So, we can expect some noteworthy updates soon!
Stephen King Is Also Part Of The Rebel Ridge Fan Club
If you’re in search of an engaging film to stream this weekend, consider adding “Rebel Ridge” to your list. This Netflix original, directed by Jeremy Saulnier, is receiving broad critical acclaim. The rising star, Aaron Pierre, delivers a standout performance that has garnered much praise, and now Stephen King has joined the admirers as well.
On his own Twitter feed, the writer admitted he’s unsure if Rebel Ridge qualifies as a Netflix original movie (which it does), yet expressed his enthusiasm for it and likened it to a timeless action masterpiece.
REBEL RIDGE: This Netflix original stands out as one of the finest. It’s like a more intelligent version of Rambo, but I want to make it clear that this isn’t an insult to David Morrell. September 14, 2024
When a filmmaker’s work receives acclaim from Stephen King, it often leaves them feeling astonished, and Jeremy Saulnier is no different. A day after King’s post was made public, the writer-director penned his own response expressing his feelings, revealing that there was already an existing bond between King and “Rebel Ridge”. This connection stemmed from a gift Saulnier bought for himself following the wrap of his latest film.
To mark the completion of REBEL RIDGE delivery in February, I splurged on a first edition copy of CYCLE OF THE WEREWOLF, a book that initially sparked my fascination with storytelling in this genre. I can’t help but channel my 9-year-old self and express sheer excitement! 🤯 [Link]
The story “Cycle Of The Werewolf” was once transformed into the 1985 movie “Silver Bullet”, penned by Stephen King himself. If Jeremy Saulnier seems to hint at any desire for a remake, I’d wholeheartedly support such an idea.
Featuring Don Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb, David Denman, Emory Cohen, and Zsané Jhé, the series Rebel Ridge can now be streamed on Netflix.
Wrapping up today’s installment of The King Beat! Remember to join us again next Thursday for another roundup of all the latest news from Stephen King’s universe. In the interim, explore various upcoming Stephen King projects by checking out our Upcoming Stephen King Movies and TV guide, or delve deeper into his on-screen history through my Adapting Stephen King column.
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2024-09-19 19:07