At the ATX festival in Austin, Texas, our correspondent Ryan Scott was present at the ‘From Book to Script to Screen’ panel where Mike Flanagan was among the speakers. Flanagan shared insights into adapting Stephen King’s notable works. He revealed that King generally refrains from being closely involved in adaptations due to past results that have significantly diverged from his original prose — with outcomes that have been “radically wrong” and, occasionally, “radically right.” According to Flanagan, King has been quoted as saying, “the book is the book, the movie or the show is what it is … If the show or the movie sucks, people will say ‘the book is better,’ and if it’s great, they’ll say ‘of course it’s bit’s great, the book is great.’
King’s approach is evidently to stay neutral, letting adaptations stand apart from his literary works. This doesn’t mean he’s completely detached; he has written for the screen before, his work on “Lisey’s the Story” being a 2021 example. However, he hasn’t taken on new adaptations since. Fans might wonder if he is stepping back permanently. While this remains uncertain, there’s always the possibility of King surprising us with another screenplay, maybe even something uniquely cinematic, reminiscent of his “Sleepwalkers” project.
FAQ Section
Why does Stephen King avoid working on adaptations of his own books?
Stephen King avoids working on adaptations of his books because past adaptations have varied significantly in quality, and he prefers to keep the integrity of the book separate from the movie or show’s reception.
Has Stephen King ever adapted any of his own books into a screenplay?
Yes, Stephen King has adapted some of his own books into screenplays, with “Lisey’s Story” from 2021 being one of the recent examples.
Is Stephen King finished with screenwriting?
While Stephen King has not taken on new adaptations since writing “Lisey’s Story,” it is unclear if he is finished with screenwriting for good.
What does Stephen King believe happens if an adaptation of his book is poor or great?
Stephen King believes that if an adaptation of his book is poorly received, people will say that the book was better. If it is well-received, people will say it’s great because the book was great. This reflects King’s view that the original book’s reputation can benefit either way.
Could Stephen King write another screenplay in the future?
Although Stephen King’s current stance on adapting his own books is to avoid it, the possibility remains open that he may write another screenplay or original story directly for the screen in the future.