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Ben Affleck Is Going To Make A Stand. Er, The Stand. Supposedly. For Now. We'll See.

By Rob Payne | Posted Under Trade News | Comments (10)

pajibathestandaffleckadaptation.jpg

Like a few stories from this summer, news that Harry Potter director David Yates would be helming Harry Potter screenwriter Steve Kloves’ film adaptation of The Stand was greatly exaggerated. Or, at least, premature.

Deadline is now reporting that Warner Bros., owner of the property’s film rights, has chosen Ben Affleck to finally bring Stephen King’s apocalyptic novel to the big screen. No reason was given as to why Yates was not actually picked, but Affleck is purportedly “adapting” and “directing” the book, which likely means that Kloves’ script is also out. Though, that isn’t confirmed. Vulture is also reporting that WB is putting The Stand on its fast track, probably so it doesn’t get bogged down in the same scheduling conflicts that have plagued another of King’s adaptations, the elaborate film-TV-film-TV plan of The Dark Tower.

Ultimately, this might not mean very much, as Affleck is still working on Argo and anything can happen between now and the beginning of shooting. However, like Yates, Affleck does have a knack and a history for adapting successful novels into successful movies — in fact, if the The Stand comes to pass, all four of his directed films will be adapted from books (with only Argo being the non-fictionalized, though no less bizarre, tale). Still, as with every update, this is the closest we’ve yet been to seeing Randall Flagg wreck his particular brand of havoc in a movie theater. And, hey, if Affleck does direct this story, he’s already got a pretty decent actor in his rolodex who do justice to protagonist Stu Redman.

Of course, I mean, Matt Damon. Personally, as well as he fits in the director’s chair, if Affleck chooses to work both in front of and behind the camera, I think his skill-set would make for an ever better Tom Cullen. M-O-O-N that spells Ben.

Feel to free to do your own dream casting below. Bonus points for those who hew close to Ben Affleck’s oeuvre.

Rob Payne also writes the indie comic of The Unstoppable Force and tweets on the Twitter @RobOfWar. Also, no word yet on if the Hand of God will let this movie happen or not.









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Comments

Matt Damon as Stu Redman? I like it!

Casey Affleck as Nick Andros
Ben Affleck as Larry Underwood
Kevin Smith as The Trashcan Man
Michelle Monaghan as Frannie

And...
Jason Lee as Randall Flagg.

Posted by: TylerDFC at October 24, 2011 11:09 AM

Chris Cooper (Affleck movie-"The Town") could make a good Glenn Bateman. Heh, and Blake Lively could be crazy Julie Lawry. Just kidding. NO.

Amy Ryan ("Gone Baby Gone") could be a great Nadine Cross, though I picture Nadine with dark hair.

Posted by: Leslie K at October 24, 2011 11:17 AM

I don't see how this book could ever be successfully made into a movie. It's so long and involved, and some of the most interesting bits of the story are in the character backgrounds and subplots, which are the things normally cut from a story when it's made into a movie.

Plus, Bill Fagerbakke was the best pick for Tom Cullen, IMO. When I read the book, he's the person I picture in my head!

Posted by: ZombieNurse at October 24, 2011 11:22 AM

I still don't know how he can distill this into a two hour film, and he will be working considerably outside his directing comfort zone (Maybe they can set the entire movie in Boston and lose the whole plague angle?) but Affleck has shown some great directing chops so far, so I'm cautiously optimistic.

Posted by: ed newman at October 24, 2011 11:54 AM

javier bardem would make a great flagg.

Posted by: the Fatman at October 24, 2011 12:57 PM

I still can't see how they make this movie (even at 3 hours) and manage to avoid throwing out so much of the little moments that make it.

Now a miniseries on HBO? That might work out best.

As for cast:

Matt Damon as Stu Redman.
Carey Mulligan as Fran.
Anthony Mackie as Larry Underwood
Anton Yelchin as Harold
Michael Gambon as Glen Bateman
Ryan Gosling as Nick Andros
Jason Segel as Tom Cullen
Amy Adams as Nadine Cross
Jeremy Renner as Lloyd Henreid
Jon Hamm as Randall Flagg.


The hardest role to fill is Mother Abigail cause who are you going to find that can equal Ruby Dee??

Posted by: Fredo at October 24, 2011 2:26 PM

Jeremy Renner as Stu Redman.

I always loved this story... until they got to Colorado, then it kind of fell apart for me. And the ending... ? How can a writer be so good at telling a story, then have such a crappy ending? I know he doesn't have to answer to anyone anymore, but COME ON!?!!?

Posted by: MRod at October 24, 2011 2:29 PM

How can a writer be so good at telling a story, then have such a crappy ending?

Lifelong King fans have been saying this for YEARS. It's basically a foregone conclusion that the ending to a King book will be disappointing. You just hope the other 98% is worth the journey. Sometimes it is.

Posted by: TylerDFC at October 24, 2011 3:20 PM

Yeah, the man does not know where he's going when he gets started. It's a problem.

Posted by: superasente at October 24, 2011 7:55 PM

Oh. Whoever said Jason Lee as Randall Flagg. GENIUS.

Posted by: Az at October 25, 2011 12:26 AM