ROTTEN TOMATOES: Frank Darabont and Stephen King (Finally) Get Mist-y

Frank Darabont and Stephen King (Finally) Get Mist-y

by Scott Weinberg | October 19, 2006

It's a project that's been on Frank Darabont's back burner for what seems like ten years, but not any more: The director of "The Shawshank Redemption" and "The Green Mile" will helm an adaptation of Stephen King's "The Mist" for the Weinstein brothers. Already I can't wait.

From Variety: ""It's a project Stephen King and I have been talking about doing for almost 20 years now," Darabont said. "In fact, it almost was my first directing project many years ago, but I went classy and did "The Shawshank Redemption" instead. It's time to get down and dirty and make a nasty little character-driven gut-punch horror movie."

Published in 1985 as part of King's short story collection "Skeleton Crew," "The Mist" takes place in a small town where a thick mist engulfs the area, killing those caught in its darkness. Terrified survivors seek refuge in a supermarket, while a swarm of murderous critters tries to get in."

--I think it's one of King's very best short stories, and I can't wait to see what the final product looks like. Ah, and it looks Thomas Jane is all set to play the lead role, which sounds good to me.

And in case you doubt Frank Darabont's abilities around jolts and gore, keep in mind he wrote "A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors," "The Fly 2," and that rather cool remake of "The Blob."

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(1-20 of 25 posts) | Reply

frogleg writes:
on Oct 19 2006 07:32 AM

Cool! "The Mist" was also one of my favorite King short stories, and Darabont has proven he's one of the few that can adapt King's books. It'll be interesting to see how he does with a horror story this time.

(Reply to this)

rustdog writes:
on Oct 19 2006 07:39 AM

Whats left to adapt from the Stephen King canon?

(Reply to this)

Merlin235 writes:
on Oct 19 2006 08:00 AM

This sounds an awful lot like The Fog.

(Reply to this)

FILMCZY writes:
on Oct 19 2006 08:11 AM

In reply to this comment (#846865)
It will be easier to see the ghosts because, like fog is thicker than mist and that's the difference.

(Reply to this)

Darthattila writes:
on Oct 19 2006 08:22 AM

[b]The audio book scared the hell out of me![/b]
There was a binaural cast recording of the story that I listened to years ago. Gave me frickin' chills, I tell you.

(Reply to this)

Kid_Ikarus writes:
on Oct 19 2006 09:27 AM

I think they could do Rose Madder.

(Reply to this)

Capt. Sparrow 98 writes:
on Oct 19 2006 09:55 AM

[b]The Fog?[/b]
it is hard enoguh to try and create a movie based on A Stephen King novel. The way that he writes is so hard to transforem on the screen. Problem 1. The second problem is trying to make a 2nd remake of The Fog. I know it does not look that way, but that is going to be what people think when they see a mist that attacks people and they end up dead. Probelm 2. Who? Who is going to be attached to this product with just these problems and many more to come.

Leave King's books alone. People will be scared shitless enough without having to actually see it on the big screen. King won't have to worry about not getting the check.

(Reply to this)

245_trioxin writes:
on Oct 19 2006 10:08 AM

i think we are overlooking the fact that darabont and king are collaborating again! that sir officially rawks!

thomas of the living dead

(Reply to this)

lucidslumber writes:
on Oct 19 2006 11:20 AM

In reply to this comment (#846870)
[b]alright cap'n cynical.........[/b]
I understand your fears regarding king movies.......but this film will NOT be confused with the fog.The stories dont begin to resemble eachother,and darabount will at least be somewhat concerned about retaining the stories core.Yes,it will be different,so was green mile and shawshank,but im glad they were made, regardless of artistic liberties.

(Reply to this)

Sadistik writes:
on Oct 19 2006 12:56 PM

We all remember the level of quality the last time Thomas Jane got together with King and fought off ass-raping alien centipedes. Sheer quality, I tells ya!

(Reply to this)

kenters writes:
on Oct 19 2006 01:28 PM

I would love to see the Dark Tower series be made into films, although it might be impossible to capture everything properly. There are so many details that would be extremely difficult to convey in a movie. But who knows?...

(Reply to this)

245_trioxin writes:
on Oct 19 2006 02:13 PM

i just want another low core king story brought to the screen like the girl who loved tom gordon. i mean at least it got a pop up book

totld

(Reply to this)

hard8 writes:
on Oct 19 2006 02:22 PM

In reply to this comment (#846864)
The Dark Tower Novels...

Bring it on.

and for those who have not read the Mist... this is far from the Fog people.

(Reply to this)

zachdybs writes:
on Oct 19 2006 03:33 PM

saweeeeet!

(Reply to this)

Mikeal420 writes:
on Oct 19 2006 03:48 PM

[b]Finally some real horror[/b]
This is what I've been waiting for-- not only is a REAL horror movie coming out that will actually try and scare us (rather than make us cringe), someone is directing a horror movie based on Stephen King rather than his recent dramas

And anyone who compares this to "The Fog" doesn't deserve to see this film!!!

(Reply to this)

STFU_Donny writes:
on Oct 19 2006 04:43 PM

the big diff between the fog and mist is monsters. big flippin monsters!! cant wait.

Also, i still think they should have an HBO cartoon series of The Dark Tower. Before you laugh, go watch the cartoon Spawn.

(Reply to this)

Mikeal420 writes:
on Oct 19 2006 05:30 PM

In reply to this comment (#846879)
completly agree about HBO, I've yet to see an anime series that could rival Spawn-- I can't believe so many people missed or forgot this show!!

The Dark Tower does have a feel for anime, but considering "Deadwood" and "Carnival", HBO could pull it off in live action

(Reply to this)

PrecentorEpsilonXVI writes:
on Oct 19 2006 06:28 PM

Yes, Mist is very much a monster-based horror movie that takes place in a misty environment. Think dimensional rift opening up the gates of hell.

And I agree that Dark Tower would make a very good HBO tv series. No real limits on nudity or swearing, and plenty of time to tell the story. They would also have just enough money to be able to make great costumes and sets, without having enough money that they don't have to be creative.

(Reply to this)

Jbourne37 writes:
on Oct 19 2006 07:22 PM

I'll have to read The Mist, I've never even heard of it. I think King books translate to screen pretty well. I really enjoyed The Langoliers, Misery, and It.

(Reply to this)

bastard_guy180 writes:
on Oct 19 2006 10:35 PM

to me it sounds like it will be confused with Silent Hill. Monsters in the fog in a small town... ya know the drill.

Love my King tho, let's hope they get it right.

(Reply to this)

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