Yet another Stephen King classic is being adapted for the big screen in the form ofThe Dark Half. King’s beloved novel has been adapted previously, but given the success ofITandIT Chapter Two, every studio in town is trying to get in on the action, with MGM now set to turn this one into a movie for modern audiences to enjoy. And Alex Ross Perry is the man they’ve tapped to make it so.
According to a new report,Alex Ross Perrywill write and direct a new adaptation ofThe Dark Half. Perry most recently helmed the acclaimedHer Smell, which stars Elizabeth Moss. That put him on Hollywood’s radar for some bigger gigs. Interestingly, Perry also recently became attached to helm another Stephen King adaptation earlier this year in the form of his storyRest Stop. At present, it’s not clear which will go first, butThe Dark Halfseems to be in the very early stages.
Details are slim for the time being, but it’s said that Alex Ross Perry intends to do something of a reinvention with his adaptation. The novel was previously adapted for the big screen byNight of the Living Deaddirector andhorror master George A. Romeroin 1993, with Timothy Hutton in the lead. There is no word yet on potential casting for this new version. But, again, this is early days and much has yet to be determined.
The Dark Halfwas originally published in 1989 and went on to become a bestseller. The story centers on Thad Beaumont, who has been writing books under the pseudonym George Stark. When a journalist threatens to expose Beaumont’s pen name, he decides to get in front of the situation and reveal the news himself. Stark, however, isn’t content to go down so easy though. Beaumont’s alter ego then comes to life and begins to stalk those responsible for his demise. The police suspect Beaumont is responsible for the string of violent crimes that ensues. Stephen King wrote the novel as something of a response to people finding out that he was writing novels using the pen nameRichard Bachman.The Long Walk,ThinnerandThe Running Manare a few notable titles King wrote under the pseudonym.
2017’sIT went on to become the highest-grossing horror movie ever. That paved the way for this year’sIT Chapter Two, which was also quite a big success. That success prompted other studios to scoop up Stephen King titles in the hopes of replicating that winning recipe. As a result, there are a number of King projects at various stages of development including (but not limited to),The Talisman,The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon,Roadwork,Salem’s LotandMile 81. We’ll be sure to keep you posted as further details on the project are made available. This news comes to us viaDeadline.
