From ‘Hansel & Gretel’ to ‘The Long Walk’, Here’s all of the Stephen King News You Missed [Derry Monthly]
Welcome to yet another edition of Derry Monthly with Dread Central’s own Stephen King expert, Lilja. This month is quite exciting and the first time since I started this column that I have more book news than film news for you. Let’s start with the most interesting news…
Stephen King Takes On A Classic Fairy Tale
We’ve all probably read the children’s book about Hansel & Gretel in our youth, right? Well, now Stephen King has done his own version. He was asked to write a new interpretation to fit the costumes and set design Maurice Sendak created for the Humperdinck opera’s version of the story. His version of the tale arrives in September from Hodder Children’s Books in the UK and HarperCollins in the US. I don’t think you want to miss this one. I’m sure I won’t.
We also got the UK cover for Never Flinch from Hodder & Stoughton. It’s quite similar to the US but with more color. Comments from fans have been divided, some liking the American cover better but most seem to like the UK more. Both have their advantages but as usual, it’s the content that matters.
An Update on The Talisman 3
Since last month, Stephen King has once again visited The KingCast and while there wasn’t that much news in the interview (we did get to know that it was King’s idea that he should be portrayed in harlequin style on the extra cover in the paperback edition of Misery) we did get some updates on The Talisman 3. King is trying to use Straub’s words in the book to make it feel like it’s written by both authors. He also confirms that the Territories and Mid World are the same and that characters from both The Talisman and Black House will appear in the book. No word on who though…
King also revealed on Threads that there will be large birds in the book called Plunja. I don’t know about you but I am very excited about this book. It’s been a long wait for the conclusion of Jack Sawyer’s adventure.
Something else interesting happened on February 9. On that day 40 years ago, the Bangor Daily News revealed that Stephen King and Richard Bachman were one and the same. They did it in a small article on the cover of that day’s issue, even spelling King’s name wrong (Steven). I guess it wasn’t such a big deal. However, it can’t be denied that on that day everyone who was a Stephen King fan got five (yes five) new King books just like that. Man, I can’t even try to comprehend that. It would have blown my mind trying to find all those books before they sold out.
What’s The Status of The Long Walk?
To conclude, I do have some movie news for you. The Long Walk is almost done. Director Francis Lawrence said he is very happy with it and that he’ll soon be going to London to do the score for it. Do we dare to hope for a 2025 release? I think we might.
It was also revealed that Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream will be a movie. Apparently, James Ashcroft will direct after buying the rights to it from King for $1. This raises the question as to whether this is a Dollar Baby. As far as we know that program was canceled over a year ago but if Ashcroft got the rights for $1… Well, I guess it really doesn’t matter. Done right, it’ll be a great movie.
I’m very happy to say that right now is a good time to be a Stephen King fan. Why? Well, we know Never Flinch is coming on May 27. Hansel & Gretel is coming September 2 and we know that King is working on The Talisman 3. On top of that, we have four movies and two TV series in the works. Do I need to say more?
Before we go, I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has reached out and wished me a happy 29th anniversary for my site Lilja’s Library. It’s mindboggling to think about the fact that the site has been live since 1996 and even more exciting to hear that there are people out there in the world (besides me) who’ve been visiting it regularly since then. Next year we celebrate 30 years. Any suggestions on what to do to celebrate?
Until next time, read a book, and don’t forget to watch The Monkey!
Categorized:Editorials
