It to The Dark Tower: why the world needs more Stephen King right now A teaser trailer for the new cinematic adaptation of Stephen King’s It amassed 200 million total views within 24 hours last […]

A teaser trailer for the new cinematic adaptation of Stephen King’s It amassed 200 million total views within 24 hours last week.

This past year has seen a notable resurgence in King’s impact on mainstream TV and film.

But while some of the reasons for this may seem obvious, others are more surprising.

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The trailer

Nostalgia, politics and Pennywise

It’s been almost three decades since Tim Curry traumatised a generation as child-snatching clown Pennywise in the original It mini-series.

But King’s story has more relevance to modern audiences than ever.

“This is certainly the right time to sell an ‘It’ movie” Dr Steve Jones

“Part of its attraction is the nostalgia element,” says Bev Vincent, King expert and author of The Road to The Dark Tower.

“A lot of us who were young in the ’80s saw the original TV miniseries—so the timing just seems right.

“It [has become] part of modern culture. There was a rash of ‘scary clown’ sightings last Fall, and every article about them referenced It.”

Dr Steve Jones, a Senior Lecturer in Media at Northumbria University who specialises in horror, agrees that nostalgia is playing a part.

But he adds that the current political climate fits neatly with ‘It’ on a thematic level.

“The story is about looking backwards. It runs on two parallel timelines – in the original novel, the ’50s and the ’80s.

“The novel is partially nostalgic for the lost past, but it mainly dwells on how horrific the past was, and how much of that horror needs to be repressed in order to move forward.

“Those themes are certainly going to feel prescient when situated against the discourse of seeking to return to a supposedly ‘great’, for many horrendous, past, which haunts politics in America, the UK and Europe at the moment.”

Somewhat ironically, the time is also ideal because of the success of Netflix hit Stranger Things, which is heavily inspired by It – and frequently references the story.

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“We have this synchronicity with Stranger Things, which has proved to be hugely popular, especially among King’s fans,” agrees Vincent.

“Stranger Things even shares a cast member with It in Finn Wolfhard.”

The show’s success last year may even have had an effect on It’s journey to the screen, according to Jones:

“The film adaptation has been in production for the best part of a decade.

“I suspect that the production gained significant traction after the success of Stranger Things. It is now a matter of urgency to push the post-production along quickly so that they can cash in on the property while it is prominent in people’s minds.

“This is certainly the right time to sell an ‘It’ movie.”

Stephen King adaptations coming this year The Mist – on Spike TV, June 22 The Dark Tower – in cinemas, August 4 It – in cinemas, September 8 Mr Mercedes – on the Audience network, TBC Gerald’s Game – on Netflix, TBC Castle Rock – on Hulu, TBC

The Dark Tower: on board for the long haul

But it’s not just It that King fans have to look forward to this year.

As Vincent notes, a number of TV and film adaptations of the writer’s work are heading for our screens.

Perhaps most notably, iconic fantasy series The Dark Tower finally gets a film adaptation this summer, in the shape of a sequel/spin-off to the book series, starring Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey.

Vincent, who interviewed producer Ron Howard and screenwriter Akiva Goldsman for The Dark Tower Companion, believes the current popularity of ‘cinematic universes’ may have played a part in finally greenlighting a Dark Tower movie.

“The big breakthrough was the notion that they could do the epic stuff on the big screen and the more intimate, character-driven parts of the story in a TV miniseries.

“I think that’s still the master plan, but so much is down to the success of the first film, I think.

“Studios took a look at the budget and blinked, even after giving tentative approval. I’m not sure what got the ball rolling this time, but it might be down to the fact that the studios are more open to getting on board for the long haul for a big series.”

Vincent also points out that the sheer volume of King adaptations on their way is likely down to the numerous platforms now producing both quality TV shows and feature-length films.

“Until recently, an adaptation was either a big film, a network television event or series, or a cable movie.

“The forthcoming adaptations include two theatrical releases, two movies for Netflix, a series for Spike TV, another for Direct TV, and a series for Hulu.

“I think this is all part of the general explosion in options that we now have thanks to all of these streaming services.”

The king of horror

From noted classics like Stand By Me and The Shawshank Redemption to more obscure B-movies, King is a hugely popular writer who has long been one of the most adapted authors around.

Why does his work remain so appealing for TV and film creatives?

“His stories are cinematic, and his characters are relatable,” says Vincent.

“He has the ability to create comfortably familiar depictions of American life… before all hell breaks loose.”

Jones notes several reasons.

“King is prolific, and there is just so much material to adapt. He tackles a wide range of subjects and themes across that body of work.

“And King’s work lends itself to adaptation. He has a particular knack for creating well-defined characters and natural dialogue, and that probably makes it easier for scriptwriters to get to grips with the material.”

At this particular time, Jones adds, the conditions are ripe for a renewed spate of adaptations.

“The kids who grew up associating horror with Stephen King are now the established studio execs greenlighting projects, and the writers and directors who are pitching ideas.

“This combination of a culture of fondly looking back to the past and King’s reputation as ‘the King of horror’ in the ’70s and ’80s has probably been driving a resurgence of interest in his work.”

The Dark Tower will hit UK cinemas in August. ‘It’ will be released in September. A second series of Stranger Things hits Netflix in October.