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One of the many joys of being a regular Stephen King Reader is catching the various details, places, and characters that reveal the shared universe of the author’s stories. Some are more obviously connected to each other (like various stories set in Castle Rock, Maine), but other ties are a little more subtle (like 2021’s Overlook Hotel cameo). Billy Summers). And that doesn’t even include the wide web Dark Tower. Unfortunately, for various reasons, these connections often do not survive the adaptation process; But new details about it emerged last week. next series BT: Welcome to DerryI’m hoping the show is planning something very special for King fans: Stanley Kubrick’s Shining and Mike Flanagan Doctor Sleep.

This is the main topic of our new issue this week. King Beatbut with 40^This anniversary Charm As we approach soon, I’ve also made room to question what’s going on with long-developing adaptations. There’s a lot to discuss, so let’s dig into it!

With Some Details About This: Welcome to Derry Confirmed, I’m Keeping My Fingers Crossed for a Dick Halloran Appearance

Last week at the Halloween celebration, BT: Welcome to Derry was the subject of a special preview Entertainment WeeklyWhile there are still many remarkable things we don’t know about the 2025 HBO series, some important details have also been confirmed. The primary setting will be set in 1962 (27 years before Pennywise’s appearance in 1989). IT: Part One); Jovan Adepo will portray a member of the Hanlon family (presumably William Hanlon, father of Losers’ Club member Mike Hanlon); and the terrifying story of Black Spot from Stephen King’s novel will be featured in the series.

Filmmakers Andy and Barbara Muschietti described the prequel series in an email to the magazine:

If you have read Stephen King’s book ITThe mention of the Black Spot stands out for two main reasons: 1) a horrific and gruesome chapter in the history of Derry, Maine, where dozens of people were burned to death as part of a hate crime, and 2) one of the key characters in the incident is most prominent in King’s lore. None other than Dick Halloran, best known as the head chef of the Overlook Hotel. Shining When Jack Torrance is hired as the winter ranger (memorably played by Scatman Crothers and Carl Lumbly in the Stanley Kubrick film) Doctor Sleep).

Inside ITThe story of the Black Spot stands out as an excerpt from the diaries of Mike Hanlon, who describes hearing his father talking about it in his hospital room shortly before he died of cancer. While on military duty in Derry, William Hanlon and his fellow black soldiers were forced to find their own place to drink and relax while off duty (the result of racial discrimination in the community), and this conflict led to the Black Spot: a barracks that began as a barracks and eventually became a full-fledged place with live music and a kitchen. A conversation place that turns into a well-equipped club.

The Black Spot became a popular hangout… but its popularity angered the white locals. William Hanlon and Dick Halloran – then a privateer and a chef – were friends and were among the more than 200 people at the club on the night the local White Legion of Decency arrived in white robes and hoods to set the place ablaze. Dick saves both William’s life and his friend Trevor Dawson’s when instinct (presumably an example of his “shine”) persuades him to move away from what turns out to be a jammed door as the flames grow and panic mounts.

Following the incident, William witnesses a man being lifted up by a giant bird lifted into the air by balloons; This shows that Pennywise’s influence on the hate crime has been revealed.

Considering his important role in the book, it would be natural for Dick Halloran to appear in the book. BT: Welcome to Derry – and I will also point out that using it to create a specific connection between IT and Stanley Kubrick Shining/Mike Flanagan Doctor Sleep All of the King adaptations in question here are owned by Warner Bros. Considering that it is produced by , it will not pose any obstacles due to rights issues. There is nothing obvious preventing this from happening.

To further fuel the speculation, I’m already wondering if this will be the character Dick portrays. Gotham/Perry Mason‘s Chris Chalk (whose role has not yet been announced). When I look at the official photo from the released program (embedded below), I can’t help but notice that the nametape on his uniform is blank. Perhaps this is an effort by the marketing team to save the reveal of the special tie-in until closer to the series’ premiere next year? Regardless, it would be a tough match in terms of the actor’s age, just as Dick was in his late 60s/early 70s on the 1980 set. Shining/Doctor Sleep (Based on the ages of Scatman Crothers and Carl Lumbly) and Chalk is now 46 years old.

In addition to the aforementioned Jovan Adepo and Chris Chalk, BT: Welcome to Derry Also starring are James Remar, Taylour Page, Stephen Rider, Madeleine Stowe and Bill Skarsgård reprising his role as Pennywise the Dancing Clown. together with Penguin and the future Dune: ProphecyThe series, which is part of an initiative to expand the worlds introduced on the big screen to the small screen, will premiere for HBO and Max subscribers on a yet-to-be-determined date in 2025.

Talisman is about to turn 40 years old. Netflix Series Where is Hell?!

I realize now isn’t the best time to bemoan the lack of Stephen King adaptations. After all, a brand new project premiered in October, and there’s a possibility of as many as six new King projects being released in 2025. However, this month marks the 40th anniversary.^This anniversary Charm Co-written by Stephen King and Peter Straub and first published in November 1984, this landmark story inspires me to wonder what’s going on in the series of publications that Constant Readers were promised two and a half years ago.

For those who don’t remember, it was announced in March 2021 that Netflix would make a series adaptation. Charm with major Stranger Things talent is on board: creators Matt and Ross Duffer as producers and writer/executive producer Curtis Gwinn as showrunner. But since then, development has taken on molasses-like qualities. This can be attributed, at least in part, to the extremely slow process construction. Stranger Things Season 5 (now scheduled to air in 2025)but the total lack of new information was still frustrating.

Part of the frustration stems from the fact that Regular Readers have been waiting for decades for Hollywood to do something about this issue. Charm. The novel is one of the few Stephen King books that have not yet inspired an adaptationbut not for lack of trying. Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment acquired the rights to the book in perpetuity around the time it was first published, and although many different versions (for both film and television) were attempted, none managed to get to the point where cameras started rolling.

Charm It tells the story of Jack Sawyer, a young boy who discovers the existence of a fantastical parallel world called The Territories and embarks on a dangerous journey to obtain a powerful talisman capable of curing him of a terminal cancer that killed his mother. he. In 2001, Stephen King and Peter Straub reunited to write a sequel. Black Houseand although he unfortunately passed away in 2022 at the age of 79, King recently signaled that the series could be completed as a trilogy.. (Perhaps this book, which is being published, will finally end up kicking popular culture. Charm The Netflix show was adapted with the aim of ultimately adapting all three novels).

That concludes this week’s edition of King Beat, but as always, I’ll be back at CinemaBlend next Thursday with a brand new recap of the biggest headlines in the world of Stephen King. While you wait for my next column, you can explore my series. Adaptation of Stephen King – An in-depth look at the entire history of King’s books in film and television.