Horror Doug Liman to direct Stephen King’s The Stand

[obin_gam]

I really like the mini series and do not get the hate for it.

 

[Octoberist]

Man, you can't beat the power mullet of Randel from the series.

 

[Sawyer]

The only thing I remember about the old one is Don't Fear The Reaper.

Because that's really the only great thing about it. I wouldn't mind seeing Yates copy that shot-for-shot.

Actually, that's not quite true. It'd be awesome if the opening sequence was Campion making his way to Arnette, Texas, infecting every place he stops, with Dont Fear the Reaper playing.

 

[kvz5]

http://www.deadline.com/2011/10/ben-affleck-warner-bros-choice-to-make-the-stand/

Ben Affleck Warner Bros Choice To Make ‘The Stand’

Warner Bros has chosen Ben Affleck to adapt and direct The Stand, Stephen King’s apocalyptic mammoth book. Affleck has become a cornerstone director for the studio, but this would be his greatest challenge yet. Even King has been reticent about the idea of making a feature of his book, which previously was turned into a miniseries. With The Town and Gone Baby Gone, Affleck has shown the grit necessary to handle such an unforgettable tale. It’s early days, but the studio loves Affleck, who’s now directing Argo.

I like Ben as a director but isn't this too big for him? I wonder what happened with Yates?

Also, from Variety:

http://***********/#!/TheInSneider/status/127521825562431489

@TheInSneider
Jeff Sneider

I've heard that should AFFLECK wind up in the director's chair, he'd also be looking to star as Stu Redman... Wish he'd focus on TELL NO ONE

 

[Sawyer]

WTF happened to YATES?!

Affleck could be good as director, but **** no to him playing Stu.

 

[Crockett]

Sucks that the negotiation with Yates didn't work out apparently. Affleck is a capable director but he's currently filming Argo and I don't see him being interested on doing a project that'll span several films so soon after it. I also don't want him to as Stu, he's way better as a director than an actor.

 

[Octoberist]

It's a risk for Affleck but if he wants a challenge then this is it.

 

[Sawyer]

If he gets it, I wonder if he'll wrangle in some actors from his previous films. I can see Jeremy Renner as Lloyd.

 

[Man in the Suit]

Affleck is da bomb. I hope he takes it.

 

[Hound55]

Yates to me was second after Darabont...

Honestly, it was intended to be an epic and that's what I'd like to see. Nobody makes them anymore, I was disappointed that they cut own Watchmen.

I'd love it if it were made into a 3 or 4 hour movie with an intermission in the middle again if necessary. Bring back the movie going experience!

Anyway, casting choices?

I'd love Javier Bardem as Flagg. To the point where I have trouble and get sour faced picturing others in the role.

Stu Redman? Tom Jane or Timothy Olyphant. I heard Jake Gyllanhal mentioned and honestly, I don't like that at all.

Herd people were having trouble thinking of a decent cast for Harold Lauder... Hw about Clark Duke?

 

[Rocketman]

Timothy Olyphant as Stu is inspired casting.

And HELL NO to Ben Affleck.

I want David Yates or Frank Darabont.

 

[Sawyer]

Darabont is the dream. Yates would be the second dream. Affleck is quite a bit further down on the list, but he's proven himself to be a strong director.

It's just..... when the **** did Yates fall through? WHEN?! And why were we not notified?! This just pisses me off. It's like going to a restaraunt and ordering the porterhouse and, instead of just telling you they're out of porterhouse, they keep it quiet and bring you porkchops instead. Who does this?

 

[kvz5]

Affleck is a much better director than actor.

 

[Sawyer]

Which is exactly why I'd be okay with him landing the directing gig, but I wouldn't be particularly happy if he were to play Stu.

 

[Hound55]

I'd still be good with Ruby Dee...

Other than that, everything about the mini-series needs to be thrown out.

 

[HighFivingMF]

Affleck is a much better director than actor.

He's fantastic at both.

 

[Rowsdower!]

I'd be happy with Affleck directing this, and I think he could make a good Stu. He's made two of the most powerful crime dramas in the last few years... I guess I can see why people might feel this is "too big" for him but seriously... at least Affleck has two very solid films under his belt, which is more than I can say for some of the other directors out there who have been handed high-profile/potential franchise projects over the past few years like Whedon, McG, Leterrier and Nispel.

 

[Sawyer]

Yeah, but he wouldn't make a good Stu.

 

[Rowsdower!]

Perhaps not. But there are much, much worse choices out there.

 

[Sawyer]

Probably.

But since they're such close friends, Matt Damon would be a much better candidate.

 

[Rowsdower!]

I could see that, yeah.

If Affleck does land this, Titus Welliver is bound to wind up in it somewhere. I think he'd make a great Randall Flagg (yes, I know I'm typecasting there).

 

[terry78]

Pretty ambitious project, but I think Affleck, given the chance, could do some wonders with the material. If you haven't seen Gone Baby Gone, do it.

 

[Crockett]

Dickey from Variety posted these on Twitter:

@ThePlaylist Ben Affleck not even close to "in." Not even close to close.

Someone just posted that Warners "has chosen" Ben Affleck to adapt/direct THE STAND. Similarly, I "have chosen" @oliviawilde as my 2nd wife.

http://***********/#!/Variety_JLD/status/127541070195204098

http://***********/#!/Variety_JLD/status/127522874201341952


So maybe it's not even a sure thing that Affleck is in negotiation, he's good but I just don't see him tackling something this big so early on his directing career.

 

[Spider-Fan]

Affleck is a good actor. Not a great one, but a very good one. But he's proven to be a very good director. I'm curious to see if he can handle this.

 

[terry78]

Shockingly at AICN the talkback is almost unanimous in their agreement about Ben taking this gig.