As someone who has been following Stephen King’s digital footprint since the days of AOL chat rooms, I have to say that the man is a true internet pioneer. From his early forays into online fandom to his more recent social media adventures, he has always managed to captivate audiences with his wit, wisdom, and, of course, his terrifying tales.
When discussing the prevalence of Stephen King adaptations, it’s interesting to note that with a few exceptions, every year since Brian De Palma’s Carrie premiered in 1976 has seen a new King movie or TV series, except for nine years. However, some years have had more than others. For instance, only one title, Gary Dauberman’s Salem’s Lot, was released in 2024, but as many as six potential adaptations might reach a wide audience in 2025.
That sounds like a lot – and I’m not here to say that it isn’t – but I do feel that it’s appropriate to preempt any discussion of “Stephen King fatigue,” as there is more than enough variety in the slate to prevent audiences from struggling with overabundance.
This week’s issue of The King Beat features a sneak peek into upcoming events for the next year as its primary focus, but it also highlights interesting updates on Stephen King’s social media activities and an exclusive preview of his new book. There’s plenty to delve into, so let’s dive right in!
2025 Is Promising To Be A Huge Year For Stephen King Adaptations, And The Variety Of Stories Should Halt Any Talk Of “Too Much”
In simpler terms, Hollywood experts often discuss something called “genre burnout.” While it’s true that the film and TV industry has a habit of milking successful trends (such as the vampire and zombie fads in the 2000s/2010s), there have also been numerous articles speculating if we’ve reached a certain limit with certain genres, like superheroes, for quite some time. Given that six Stephen King adaptations are planned for release in 2025, it’s easy to foresee sensational headlines. However, as an ardent King fan, I don’t see any real reason to worry about this trend.
Here’s one way of paraphrasing that text:
As of this article’s release, there are two films with confirmed release dates (Osgood Perkins’ “The Monkey” and Edgar Wright’s “The Running Man”), and four projects scheduled for 2025 or currently in production but without announced plans (Mike Flanagan’s “The Life Of Chuck”, HBO’s “Welcome To Derry” series, Francis Lawrence’s “The Long Walk”, and MGM+’s “The Institute” show). Despite some overlap between the adaptations, it’s quite remarkable how varied these works are, considering they all stem from a single creative source.
The Monkey Release Date: February 21, 2025
Titled “The Monkey,” this upcoming film features Theo James portraying two long-separated twin brothers who are compelled to reconnect due to a lethal toy from their past coming back to life. While the title suggests a gory, chaotic experience, the trailer hints that it might be the inaugural Stephen King movie to blend horror with comedy.
The Running Man Release Date: November 21, 2025
Edgar Wright’s movie titled “The Running Man,” featuring Glen Powell, represents the second screen adaptation of Stephen King’s novel (originally published under the pseudonym Richard Bachman). However, unlike the 1987 version starring Arnold Schwarzenegger which leaned heavily on action and entertainment value, the 2025 film is expected to veer significantly from its predecessor. Instead of maintaining the earlier movie’s focus on high-octane action and lightheartedness, Wright’s version is rumored to closely follow the source material and will deliver a tense, dramatic thriller. The story revolves around a man in dire straits who confronts a corrupt system while struggling to survive as a contestant on a disturbing game show set in a dystopian society.
The Life Of Chuck Release Date: Summer 2025
The film titled “Chuck’s Life” has been generating quite a stir since it made its debut this fall at the Toronto International Film Festival. Adapted from the same-named novella, this life-affirming drama has been aptly likened to Frank Darabont’s acclaimed work, “The Shawshank Redemption.” Following its win of the prestigious 2024 TIFF People’s Choice Award, it is now being speculated as a strong contender for the Best Picture nomination at the Academy Awards, given the tradition of such honors being closely tied to this festival.
Welcome To Derry Release Date: 2025
For the year 2025, the sole series that’s a spinoff or prequel in the pipeline is titled Welcome To Derry. This production will transport viewers back into the world depicted in IT and IT: Chapter Two, making it the only period piece scheduled for release in 2025. The HBO series is set in the early 1960s, with a key aspect revolving around a speakeasy established by African-American soldiers in Derry, Maine. This establishment unfortunately becomes a focal point for hate crimes motivated by race.
The Long Walk Release Date: TBA
As a devoted reader, I can’t help but express my excitement for “The Long Walk” – another chilling dystopian masterpiece penned by the enigmatic Richard Bachman. Unlike the pulse-pounding thrill of “The Running Man,” this story delves deeper into the terrifying realm of psychological horror.
The Institute Release Date: TBA
In the creative realms of Stephen King’s storytelling, as seen in ‘Mr. Mercedes’ and the recent remake of ‘The Stand’, resides a secretive establishment named ‘The Institute’. This enigmatic institution is home to children who possess extraordinary psychic powers – both telepathic and telekinetic abilities. One such child is Luke Ellis, a prodigious mind, who unwittingly becomes its latest captive after an abduction. As he uncovers the truth about his surroundings, Luke joins forces with fellow prisoners to strategize an audacious escape.
Without referencing Stephen King specifically, if you were to publish all six of those titles within the same month, it would be noticed as a varied selection catering to multiple audiences. If they are instead spread throughout 2025, it promises to be an enjoyable year for avid readers, one that could serve as a testament to the author’s broad storytelling abilities.
Stephen King Has A New Social Media Home After Deciding To Leave Twitter
Social media can be a challenging terrain due to various issues, yet it offers an exceptional advantage: it facilitates connections with some of today’s most brilliant creators. Stephen King, for instance, is one such figure who leverages social media extensively, sharing entertaining thoughts, firm political views, awkward dad jokes, and recommendations for movies and TV shows. This practice isn’t likely to stop soon – however, King plans to shift his primary online presence to a different platform.
Over the past week, Stephen King chose to step away from Twitter. Although his account remains accessible, he’s no longer actively posting on the platform. Last Thursday, he bid farewell to his followers in an official tweet.
I’ve decided to step away from Twitter for now due to the increasing negativity. It’s been a tough call, but I can’t ignore the toxic environment anymore. If you’d like to keep up with my updates, feel free to join me on Threads instead!
He uses the same handle (“StephenKing”) across all platforms, and it was his shift to Threads that became notable, marked by a post reminiscing about his past experiences on the previous site.
I quit Twitter. Eleven years, man. It really changed. Grew dark.
It’s quite surprising to notice that a renowned master of horror literature finds Twitter too gloomy for his taste.
If you admire him, following him is undeniably essential across all platforms; however, if you don’t use social media, rest assured that I’ll be monitoring the most significant updates from his posts and regularly featuring them here on The King Beat.
You Can Now Read An Excerpt From Stephen King’s New Book, Never Flinch
Previously in this discussion, I mentioned that in the past 48 years, fewer than nine calendar years have passed without a fresh Stephen King adaptation gracing our screens – but what truly fascinates me about King is that every year since 1974 has seen the release of a new book by him (with the exception of 1976). Next May will keep this remarkable run going with the publication of “Never Flinch,” another thrilling installment featuring detective Holly Gibney. This week, we were given an exclusive sneak peek at the upcoming novel.
Originally known as “Always Holly“, the book was recently unveiled, with Stephen King confirming that it draws partial inspiration from the Lady Gaga dog-napping case. Eager fans can now sample the story ahead of its release, as Entertainment Weekly has published an excerpt. This sneak peek introduces a puzzling character named Trig, who is in recovery from alcoholism. Beyond his addiction struggles, Trig is mentally distressed after discovering that his imprisoned friend Buckeye Brandon (a man wrongfully incarcerated) was murdered in prison. It’s evident that he is planning some form of vengeful action.
A tantalizing glimpse into the upcoming novel leaves one both thrilled and apprehensive, and once you’ve read it, be sure to note down May 27, 2025 on your calendar – that’s when Never Flinch hits the shelves everywhere.
Wrapping up for today on The King Beat! Don’t forget to revisit us at TopMob next Thursday, where I’ll bring you fresh updates about Stephen King. It will be an excellent read as you gear up for your Thanksgiving celebrations!
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2024-11-21 20:07