Welcome again, Fixed Readers, to this month’s Derry Month-to-month with me, Sam Barry—sorry, Lilja—Dread Central’s Stephen King correspondent. It’s been a quiet month for King information total. Sure, we bought the brand new Salem’s Lot film, however I’ll save my ideas on that till the tip for many who haven’t seen it but.
We additionally obtained a poster and trailer for The Monkey. It appears high-quality, however the poster doesn’t stand out to me all that a lot, and I didn’t acknowledge the scenes within the trailer from the unique story, which issues me a bit. I’m unsure why, however I can’t appear to get too enthusiastic about this one but. It’s a strong story (if it’s nonetheless intact within the film) however in cue amid many different, extra thrilling variations. Additionally, protecting expectations low won’t be the worst thought with these quick story variations.
The duvet for The Finish of the World as We Know It was lately revealed. This ebook options quick tales set throughout or after the occasions of The Stand, although King himself writes none of them. It could possibly be an thrilling assortment of “what occurred subsequent” tales or really feel extra like approved fan fiction. The discharge date is August 19 subsequent yr, so we’ll see if it lives as much as the hype. King has given his blessing and even wrote an introduction, which is shocking, contemplating he’s been in opposition to comparable tasks beforehand. I’m curious if his intro explains his change of coronary heart.
Now, what I actually need—and want—is information about King’s subsequent ebook. Will or not it’s All the time Holly, as many people suspect, or one thing fully completely different? He lately hinted at The Darkish Tower on X, however that might imply a brand new ebook or perhaps simply pleasure for Mike Flanagan’s adaptation. We’ve additionally heard whispers that he would possibly end The Talisman trilogy, which he and Peter Straub started 40 years in the past. Earlier than Straub’s passing, he despatched King a letter with the storyline for The Talisman 3. Possibly King will write it himself and at last full the trilogy. But when I needed to wager, I’d say Always Holly will probably be his subsequent launch. We’re simply ready for affirmation. Often, the primary trace slips out throughout an interview, however up to now—not a phrase.
On Monday, October 15, it was introduced that The Rock Backside Remainders will maintain a panel on November 23 in Miami on the Chapman Convention Middle to debate their 32 years on the highway. The occasion known as “Life on the Highway.” Nothing uncommon up to now. However then I bought an electronic mail from a pal saying, “Take a look at the creator images, lol.” I checked, and certain sufficient, after I bought to Sam Barry’s photograph, I did a double-take—as a result of it was really a photograph of me. Why or how this occurred, I do not know. Might Sam Barry be my pen title? Am I the latest member of The Rock Backside Remainders? Am I going to Miami this November? The solutions aren’t any, no, and no. More than likely, somebody on the Miami Ebook Honest made an error. It’s humorous, although, as a result of Sam and I don’t look alike (I Googled him to examine), and while you picture search Sam Barry, you don’t get any images of me (I attempted that, too). Sorry, Sam—that is in all probability worse for you than it’s for me. If anybody ever figures out how this occurred, I’d like to know. And if the Miami Ebook Honest desires me to affix the panel, hey, simply ship a airplane ticket, and I’ll be there.
By now, I think about these of you who wish to see the brand new Salem’s Lot adaptation have already accomplished so. However for anybody who hasn’t, be warned—this final a part of the column contains minor spoilers. I watched it, and whereas I received’t give a full evaluation (loads of these are on the market), there are some things I wish to touch upon. Visually, the film appears strong, however the remaining falls flat. The casting is generally okay, with some exceptions. I wasn’t a fan of Alfre Woodard as Dr. Cody, and Makenzie Leigh as Susan Norton was downright disastrous. Leigh overplays her function as if she thinks she’s in a totally completely different (and far funnier) film. It simply doesn’t match. Kurt Barlow works, however he’s a dim shadow of the terrifying determine we noticed within the 1979 model. However the largest letdown is the ending. As a substitute of a haunting conclusion, we get an action-packed finale, seemingly crafted for a youthful viewers. Somebody instructed that this film is for the “scroll-and-watch” era, and if it will get even one in every of them occupied with motion pictures, that’s nice—however not on the expense of a basic King adaptation. Maintain the King variations pure, please.
Pennywise returns in 2025 for IT: Welcome to Derry
A correct Halloween may by no means have handed with out a correct King adaptation replace. Yesterday, the high-quality folks over at HBO’s Max launched some shiny new images from their upcoming prequel sequence: IT: Welcome to Derry. Take a look at the pictures for the streaming sequence which hits Max subsequent yr.
And eventually, for the newest information! That is simply in, posted by King on X.
“I’m again in Mid-World…and the Territories. Don’t know if it is going to grow to be something–I by no means know–nevertheless it’s good to be again.”
Mid-World means The Darkish Tower, Territories means The Talisman and the publish means King is again writing one thing about each these worlds. He says he doesn’t know if it is going to grow to be something however I believe he’s already engaged on it. He is aware of his followers and I don’t assume he would teas us like this until he’s began engaged on one thing. My guess is that we’ll be again in these worlds by 2026 or, on the newest, 2027, and I’m EXCITED!
And that wraps up this month’s column. If I’m not in Miami talking at The Rock Backside Remainders panel subsequent month, I’ll be again then. But when I do find yourself in Miami, count on an ideal story for subsequent month’s column. Within the meantime, take care and skim a ebook!
Categorized:Derry Month-to-month Editorials Information
