Deck the halls with pumpkins, spooks and trick or treats, as the popular festival kicks in, let’s chase up on the King of Scare.
For most of us, Stephen King’s movies have been both hits and misses, it’s the classic case of what stays loyal to the novel as well as what could be altered for artistic merit.
Yes, I am the type to read a novel before it hits the screens, I find King’s novels resonate the golden age of what horror meant, not constant jump scares and the paranormal, and each novel is crafted with a unique and twisted form that sometimes can be too much for us to see.
So, here’s a list of the top King novels that haven’t yet been put onto our screens but maybe one day we will see them, if not, enjoy a nice mix of genres written by the literary genius:
Doctor Sleep (2013)
When I first saw the poster for this, my immediate reaction was “How soon before they adapt this one!”
Long overdue and following up as a sequel to The Shining, from what we remember of Kubrick’s adaptation regarded as one of the greatest films made, who will be brave enough to pull this one out of the hat. Considering King never took a liking to the film adaptation, whoever takes the risk will need guidance from the King himself.
The plot of the second book follows a grown-up Danny and his discovery of another girl who possesses psychic powers like his (redrum!) and the people who want to kidnap her for their own means.
Gerald’s Game (1992)
If you love handcuffs and playing games you’ll fall in love and suddenly grimace at this gory, grotesque and disturbing novel which centres around a couple, Gerald and Jesse, whom both embark on their sexual adventures. More graphic than anything you’ve read, this particular got under my skin, especially the moments with Jesse starts to delude in thought, another psychological thriller that could follow under that isolation and claustrophobic atmosphere that films like Old Boy created for us.
11/22/63 (2011)
Because there’s always time for some hefty sci-fi; a man discovers a portal allowing him to travel through time from the present day and 22n November 1963. Using the portal as a way to stop the assassination of President Kennedy, but like our trusty Doc mentions from Back To The Future, “If you mess with the past, you will alter the future.” Sure, this novel is quite chunky, but it has been long overdue for a time travel scenario, mixing some genius detectivity in the mix….. I just created a word, heavy!
The Long Walk (1979)
One hundred boys partake in an event were they walk with a pace over 4mph without rest or eating. If they slow down they receive a warning, and if they get three they are shot, made to keep walking until one is left to have anything he wants for the rest of his life. No, not quite like The Hunger Games or Maze Runner, this is that but without the flashy, its more grounded and arguably realistic as friends become enemies and rules are broken.
Ironically, Frank Darabont (The Walking Dead) owns the rights for a film adaptation, however he is keeping us on our toes, perhaps this could make it for a short series?
Other Articles
November 2014 Movie Preview
