NEWS -

Mr Mercedes Set To Premiere This Fall

Posted: January 31, 2017, 09:18
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Production on the 10-episode show from Sonar Entertainment is underway in Charleston, SC and according to this article the premiere is slated for this fall. Casting for Mr Mercedes is coming together. Here is a list of what we know so far.

Brendan Gleeson (Detective Bill Hodges)
Harry Treadaway (Brady Hartsfield)
Jharrel Jerome (Jerome Robinson)
Justine Lupe (Holly Gibney)


Scott Lawrence (Detective Peter Dixon)
Robert Stanton (Anthony “Robi” Frobisher)
Ann Cusack (Olivia Trelawney)
Mary-Louise Parker (Janey Patterson)
Holland Taylor (Ida Silver)
Kelly Lynch (Deborah Hartsfield)
Breeda Wool (Lou Linklatter)

Mike Flanagan Talks Gerald’s Game

Posted: January 28, 2017, 11:37
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In this podcast from mid-2016 Mike Flanagan talk a bit about Gerald’s Game (nothing really new though).

If you just want the Gerald’s Game part it starts at 2.24 in but Mike has a lot of interesting stuff to say before that as well so I recommend you to listen to the whole episode.

Thanks to Herbert West

Holly Gibney In Mr Mercedes Cast

Posted: January 28, 2017, 01:32
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Justine Lupe will play Holly Gibney in the movie version of Mr Mercedes, the younger cousin of Janey and Olivia who has some “issues”: OCD, synesthesia, sensory processing disorder. But she’s also terribly observant, refreshingly unfiltered and unaware of her innocence, which is oddly endearing.


Read more here.

Ep 68: A Misty Look Ahead To King in 2017

Posted: January 26, 2017, 13:03
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Welcome to the Stephen King Podcast Constant and New Listeners!

Join your hosts - longtime Constant Readers - Hans Lilja of Lilja's Library and writer/podcaster - Lou W. Sytsma.

Welcome to Episode 68 of The Stephen King Podcast!

Our first podcast of 2017!!!!!!!!!

Last podcast we looked back at King in 2016 and now Hans & I turn our gaze forward and look ahead. What Stephen King delights will we experience in 2017 and what are our most anticipated events?

Join us on our 2017 Stephen King Retrospective.

We also talk about the first story in the last year's audio release of the Skeleton Crew collection - kicking it off with a Will Patton reading of - The Mist.

All that plus the latest Stephen King News!

We hope you enjoy this episode and, as usual, we want to hear from you.
Good or bad, we want it all!

You can leave us comments, questions, topic suggestions at:
1) FaceBook - Lilja's Library
2) Audio Message - Speak Pipe widget on the right hand of the podcast page (send voicemail)


In this podcast:
1) 00:00 - Intro
2) 00:28 - Podcast Setup
3) 01:51 - News From The DeathRoom
4) 11:47 - 2017: A Kingly Look Ahead
5) 53:14 - NightShift Review - Audio Version of The Mist
6) 1:07:00 - Podcast Signoff
7) 1:47:50 - Outro


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Intro Music - Don't Fear The Reaper - Blue Oyster Cult

Outro Music - Stand By Me - Ben E. King
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Dark Tower Toy Figures

Posted: January 25, 2017, 23:46
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Here are the first Dark Tower toys. Both figures will be released from Diamond Toys in July and sold for $9.99. You can get yours here.

A Diamond Select Toys release! May your days be long upon the Earth, and may you have plenty of Vinimates! Anticipation for the film adaptation of Stephen King's The Dark Tower is at an all-time high, and DST is tackling the new film with a line of Vinimates vinyl figures! These 4-inch designer figures of the Gunslinger and the Man in Black are based on the upcoming film, striking poses straight from the movie, and sculpted in the Minimates block-figure style. Both feature articulated necks for further posing options. Each comes packaged in a full-color window box.




Will you be getting one?

Thanks to Lou Sytsma

King At Bay Front Park (Video)

Posted: January 23, 2017, 09:17
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The day after the inauguration, thousands of people from all over Southwest Florida gathered at Bay Front Park, Sarasota, next to the famous Kissing Statue, to show that there will be unconditional support for Women, LGTBQ, Minorities and Immigrants.

Stephen King surprised the rally by appearing last in the speaker line-up. He was fired-up to say the least, and it was a welcome sight.

The Lawnmover Man In VR...Again

Posted: January 23, 2017, 08:48
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Looks like The Lawnmover Man is heading for VR...

The company, which produces VR experiences and develops hardware and software for making and consuming VR, has unveiled a slate of five new scripted projects, including a drug-fueled comedy and an adaptation of cult classic The Lawnmower Man, ahead of the Sundance Film Festival.

"As we continue to develop more immersive, cinematic VR content with high production values and longer run times, it solidifies for us that VR is fast becoming a mainstream staple within the entertainment industry," said Jaunt CEO George Kliavkoff, adding that 2016 was "the final year of experimentation, and every indication is that 2017 will be the year of action and adoption. We're excited to be in development on all five of these series alongside some of today's top talent."

Among the projects is a VR adaptation of sci-fi cult classic The Lawnmower Man, which was an early depiction of what it would be like to enter virtual reality. Jaunt says it has partnered with the original 1992 film's rights holders to reimagine it in VR.

What do you think? Is it to late for this one? Read more here.

Casting News For Mr Mercedes

Posted: January 20, 2017, 21:41
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Here are some casting news for Mr Mercedes.

Jharrel Jerome will play Jerome Robinson and Holland Taylor will replace Ann-Margret in the role of the prickly, outspoken, self-serving Ida Silver who is the next-door neighbor of Hodges.


Thanks to Lou Sytsma

The Plot of The Mist

Posted: January 16, 2017, 08:46
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Dread Central had the following to report about the plot of The Mist.

We also now have a better idea of the first season’s structure and who’s who… There will be multiple scattered groups struggling to survive the Mist. Alyssa Sutherland plays a mother who gets trapped in a mall with her daughter and her daughter’s rapist; Morgan Spector plays the father of Sutherland’s daughter, who is stuck in a different location from the rest of his family; Okezie Morro plays a man with amnesia struggling to find allies; and Frances Conroy plays a woman whose ideas regarding the origin of the monstrous Mist will lead to great conflict within her small community of survivors.

The Mist Premieres June 22 on Spike

Posted: January 14, 2017, 23:12
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The Mist premieres Thursday, June 22 at 10 p.m. on Spike and Nerdist reports that it will take "the Fargo approach".

“It’s the same but it’s different,” Christian Torpe said on a Television Critics Association 2017 winter press tour panel for his new show. “Like a weird, twisted cousin to the original source material. Fans of the movie and of the book and Mr. King’s work will certainly see elements from it, and especially if you watch the season in macro perspective there’s plenty of parallel. We also, in order to develop it for TV and to turn it into an ongoing series, took our own little detours here and there. Let’s call it a parallel story or a cousin to the original one.”

The 10-episode series is based on the novella, not the film. Torpe said although he enjoyed both endings, he’s come up with his own spin on the story. “I personally loved Mr. Darabont’s ending. I thought it was a stroke of genius. We are playing around in that territory,” he hinted.

As for the actual mist itself, Torpe has updated the visuals and the powers of the mist to distinguish this story from the previous versions. More than the literal mist, The Mist is a show about fear.

“It really is a very character-driven show. The Mist is, to a certain degree, an existential backdrop and the story is more about how people react to fear and to the threat of what’s out there.”




The Mist premieres Thursday, June 22 at 10 p.m. on Spike. For the entire article, head over to Nerdist.

Thanks to Lou Sytsma

Unearthed & Untold Out Tomorrow

Posted: January 12, 2017, 08:45
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Tomorrow is Friday the 13th but this year it’s a good day (no there isn’t a new Jason movie being released). Tomorrow, Friday 13th, Unearthed & Untold: The Path to Pet Sematary will be released on numerous platforms.

FROM THE PRESS RELEASE:
The documentary, which took filmmakers John Campopiano and Justin White nearly 5 years to complete, will finally be released this Friday, January 13th. Starting with a digital release on Amazon Instant, XBOX Live, VUDU, Sony PlayStation Network, Google Play and iTunes, where it’s currently available for pre-sell here: http://geni.us/ZcxIGIQ

The film will also be released on Amazon Prime, Roku, Hulu and cable VOD at a later date. In addition, iTunes will carry the exclusive bonus features, which will be released in a special iTunes package in the coming month. The film will also be released in Canada via Raven Banner Releasing later in the year.

You can find my review here and also listen to Lou and me talk to John Campopiano about the documentary here.

My Books on Amazon

Posted: January 11, 2017, 10:13
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Shining in the Dark is now listed on my author page over at Amazon along with my other two books. They haven’t added the cover yet though but it’s there if you want to pre-order.

You can also follow me on Amazon (not sure what you get for doing that but please try it out).

Mr Mercedes: TV Series Faithful to the Book?

Posted: January 10, 2017, 12:50
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Are the details in the Mr Mercedes casting call an indication that the adaptation will be faithful to the book?

The Berkeley Independent reports that an extras casting call for Mr. Mercedes, the next Stephen King work to be adapted to the screen, has finally gone out. What is especially interesting about the call is how specific its requests are. In fact, the level of detail in the casting call may suggest a few things about the plot of the adaptation and how faithfully it will adhere to the Stephen King-penned hardboiled crime thriller it is based on.

Read the article here.

Thanks to Dimitris Tso

Photos From The Set of The Mist

Posted: January 10, 2017, 00:49
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Here is an article about filming The Mist TV series in Halifax. There are also some set photos.



“I think our special effects are really good, I think the story is very good, and I’d like to think it has legs. I’d love for it to go three or four or five seasons. Haven went six.”
- - Art director Terry Quennell



For more photos head over to the article.

Thanks to Lena Hardiman

Mr Mercedes Filming Soon

Posted: January 9, 2017, 12:29
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Mr Mercedes is gearing up to start filming. We have confirmation from this casting call that they will be shooting in the Charleston area the week of February 21-24.

Tona B. Dahlquist Casting is looking for paid extras of "all ages ethnicities and types" for a 10-episode television series being shot in the Charleston area this month.

Casting directors are also looking for "a set of twins," Caucasian babies (preferably girls) 7-9 months of age.

Interested actors should be available for filming multiple days and nights the week of February 21-24.

They're also looking for several real police officers, EMTs/ paramedics and firemen as well as anyone who owns a vehicle made between 1990 and 2011.

Interested parties can visit the Casting Facebook page for more information as well as updated casting needs.

Thanks to Lou Sytsma

Thanks For 2016 & Happy 2017!

Posted: December 31, 2016, 18:00
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2016 is almost over and I want to take this chance to wish you all a great 2017 and also thank you for all your support during 2016. We have a lot to look forward to in 2017 and I’m convinced it will be a great year to be a King fan. I’m especially looking forward to Steve and Owen’s collaboration “Sleeping Beauties”. What are you looking forward to in 2017?

/ Lilja

Matthew McConaughey Talks Dark Tower

Posted: December 31, 2016, 11:05
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Here is an interview with Matthew McConaughey. Matthew talks about why he picked The Dark Tower over Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 and he says "We’ve done the first one" maybe implying they'll do more, perhaps they're talking film 2 now, who knows...
Thanks to Douglas Dowie

Ep 67: Stephen King in 2016 Retrospective

Posted: December 31, 2016, 00:05
_

Welcome to the Stephen King Podcast Constant and New Listeners!

Join your hosts - longtime Constant Readers - Hans Lilja of Lilja's Library and writer/podcaster - Lou W. Sytsma.

Welcome to Episode 67 of The Stephen King Podcast!

Our last podcast of 2016. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!

2016 has come to an end - thankfully - and though it was a tough year on many fronts, it was a great King year. Hans & I look back on the past year in terms of Stephen King and pick our high and low points.

Spoiler - there were far more highlights!

Join us on our 2106 Stephen King Retrospective.

All that plus the latest Stephen King News!

We hope you enjoy this episode and, as usual, we want to hear from you.
Good or bad, we want it all!

You can leave us comments, questions, topic suggestions at:

1) FaceBook - Lilja's Library

2) Audio Message - Speak Pipe widget on the right hand of the podcast page (send voicemail)

In this podcast:
1) 00:00 - Intro
2) 00:28 - Podcast Setup
3) 01:34 - News From The DeathRoom
4) 27:05 - 2016: The Year In Review
5) 1:43:25 - Podcast Signoff
6) 1:47:50 - Outro



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Intro Music - Don't Fear The Reaper - Blue Oyster Cult

Outro Music - Stand By Me - Ben E. King
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iTunes - The Stephen King Podcast.
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RSS Feed - RSS.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Direct Download Link - The Stephen King Podcast - Episode 67
(Click to play, right click and Chose 'Save Link As' to save the file)
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You can find the podcast on the Internet at the following locations:

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Subscribe on Android Listen to Stitcher Listen to Google Play Listen to iHeartRadio
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Support The Show - Thank You!

Pennywise In Entertainment Weekly

Posted: December 27, 2016, 08:49
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It's now confirmed that the latest photo of Pennywise is from Entertainment Weekly.


Director Andrés Muschietti (Mama) says this monster unsettles precisely because he doesn’t lurk in the shadows. “Pennywise shows up, he’s front and center, and he does his show. He has an act,” Muschietti says. “So it’s weird all the time, and every little thing implies a further threat.” Watch out for his punchlines. They’ll knock you dead.

Casting Call For Mr Mercedes

Posted: December 24, 2016, 01:02
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Casting Call for Mr Mercedes. Infant Twins and Drivers with Cars older than 2009

Production Description

Casting the Audience Network 10-part TV series "Mr. Mercedes," starring Brendan Gleeson, and based on the novel by Stephen King. Project description: "Centers on a demented killer who taunts a retired police detective with a series of lurid letters and emails, forcing the ex-cop to undertake a private, and potentially felonious, crusade to bring the killer to justice before he can strike again. Project will premiere in 2018 on Audience Network, a joint venture of AT&T and DirecTV."

Check it out here and here.

Thanks to Lou Sytsma.

Ann-Margret Cast In Mr Mercedes

Posted: December 22, 2016, 22:51
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Ann-Margret has been cast in Mr Mercedes and will play the next-door neighbor of Bill Hodges.

Ann-Margret will play will play Ida Silver, the next-door neighbor of Gleeson's Det. Bill Hodges. Ida doesn't miss much and is a real piece of work: prickly, outspoken, self-serving, intimidating and vulnerable.

Best known for film roles such as Bye Bye Birdie, Viva Las Vegas, Tommy and Grumpy Old Men, Ann-Margret's TV credits include Ray Donovan, CSI and Law & Order: SVU, for which she won an Emmy. She is repped by ICM and AM Productions & Management.


Thanks to Lou Sytsma

Visit The Smallest Stephen King Museum

Posted: December 16, 2016, 14:45
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If you haven’t already, check out Marv’s Museum here at Lilja’s Library. It’s the only (as far as I know) museum that specializes in Stephen King movie memorabilia. It might also be the world’s smallest museum. But on the upside it’s always open and it’s always free!

Today it only exists online but my goal is to one day be able to let you see all the items in person, somehow, somewhere but for now you’ll have to watch it online. But it’s still worth a stop. All the items have been features in a King movie.

So, come over and spend some time. Marv will show you all the goodies and I promise you’ll find them exciting!

Find out who drank his Coffey from this mug.

Behind The Mist

Posted: December 16, 2016, 09:26
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Okezie Morro in the booth doing some ADR for The Mist.

Got a little peek of episode 1 & 2 and I'm just a teeny bit excited...Can't wait for you guys to see it!!

Fun Fact: The Stand

Posted: December 16, 2016, 08:43
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Josh Boone revealed that James Franco was attached to play Larry Underwood in his filmversion of The Stand.

I was friendly with James because he was attached to play Larry Underwood in The Stand. He asked to read it, and said he wanted to make it.

What do you think? Good or Bad casting?

James Franco, Adam Storke and Larry from the comic.

Russell Crowe Cast In Revival

Posted: December 15, 2016, 23:21
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I have reported earlier that casting was ongoing for Revial and now it’s clear that Russell Crowe has been cast as Rev Jacobs and that Josh Boone will direct his own script…right after he’s done with New Mutants.

I’ve had very, very different screenwriting experiences based on how the project comes together. For example, I have a good relationship with Stephen King, so when I wanted to adapt his novel Revival I really just went and asked him. I was able to write it in a very pleasant bubble and we attached Russell Crowe. I plan to make that right after New Mutants.

Read the entire interview with Boone here.

Thanks to Lou Sytsma

IT Screening Today

Posted: December 15, 2016, 12:00
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Today the screening of the remake of IT happens and even though I doubt that we’ll get any details about it (the participants probably have to sign a no disclosure contracts) we might get a general opinion about it. Is it good? Is it bad? Love it or hate it?

IF I hear anything I’ll let you know ASAP and congratulations to all of you that get to see it. I wish I was there with you!

A Christmas Card To The Readers of Lilja’s Library

Posted: December 15, 2016, 09:10
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2016 is soon over. 16 days left and then it’s 2017. And what a year 2016 have been here at Lilja’s Library. I can’t remember a single year during the 20 years I have been running the site that I have actually spoken with so many of you! And that is one of the things I’m so very happy about; that I have been able to reach so many of you. Some of you I have been talking to one on one, some in emails, some as a group with facebook chats and some through the podcast I run with Lou. Either way, I love talking King with all of you and I hope we will continue doing that.

Another thing I’m extremely happy with is that I could finally tell you about my upcoming book “Shining in the Dark: Celebrating Twenty Years of Lilja’s Library”. It’s been in the works for 1,5 years more or less and I have been dying to tell you all about it. Well not I can and I can’t think about a better way to celebrate the fact that the site has been online for 20 years. 20 years! That is a long time. A lot has happened during those 20 years. Some of you have been with me from the start, some just found the site a month ago but either way you have been a great support.

The reason the site exists is 1) because I love King’s work and I love to spread the word about it and 2) because you enjoy the site and come back for more. Would the site still be here if no one visited? Well, I actually think it would. For my own sake. Would it be as much fun to run the site if no one got in touch with me, telling me about your last King book, asking something, showing a photo of a King reference and so on? Hell no!

So, I’m not very good at sending Christmas Cards (ask my relatives) so this is my Christmas Card to you, my thanks for your support and my wish for an even better 2017, all bundled up in one. I know there are still 16 days left of 2016 but with Christmas coming up and all the things you do with family and friends a lot of you might not be spending that much time online during the next couple of weeks as you normally do. For that reason, I wanted to get this out now. In time for you to read before you disconnect and spend time with family and friends. I will still be here though, each day at least for a short time, reading mails, checking facebook and twitter and so on so if you feel like getting in touch, talking King or just say “Hi”, don’t hesitate.

OK, it’s time to wrap this up and get back to King. Before we do that though I just want to again thank you all for your support and friendship during 2016 and during the 20 years Lilja’s Library has been online. It’s a joy and pleasure to run the site thanks to you all!

Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year! / Lilja

King’s Fans & Their Books; Add Your Photo!

Posted: December 14, 2016, 12:06
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Come on fans of the King. Show yourself with you beautiful King books. I know you have the books and I know you have the camera (or phone). And I want to see it!

Send in photos of you and King’s books so that I can add them to the Fan Photo Page. Here are my photos.

Looking at all these I'm thinking I might need the next photo without the beard?

Also, if you send in a photo of you and something connected to Lilja’s Library you get a chance to get a free copy of my upcoming book Shining in the Dark: Celebrating Twenty Years. Read more here

Here are the links with the number of photos submitted:
Mr Mercedes (331)
Revival (179)
Finders Keepers (132)
The Bazaar of Bad Dreams (112)
End of Watch (107)
Charlie the Choo Choo (9)
Lilja’s Library (120)

And remember, anyone, anywhere can enter! / Lilja

Deborah Hartsfield In Mr Mercedes Cast

Posted: December 14, 2016, 08:43
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Deadline reports that Kelly Lynch has been cast in Mr Mercedes.

Kelly Lynch has landed a key role in Mr. Mercedes, AT&T Audience Network’s upcoming drama series. Lynch will play Deborah Hartsfield, Brady Hartsfield's complicated mother. Despite her troubles, Deborah tries to have a normal relationship with her deeply troubled son but she is rarely successful.

Great casting if you ask me.

Two Movies About King On The Black List

Posted: December 13, 2016, 23:16
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The 2016 Black List is out and there are two movies about King. One about his life and one about how he did Maximum Overdrive. Remains to be seen if they get done though...

True Stories About Stephen King

The Kings of Maine, Kathy Charles. Living with his wife and child in a trailer while working as a janitor, Stephen King struggles with alcoholism and his own dark history as he attempts to complete Carrie.

Maximum King!, Shay Hatten. An outlandish, surreal imagining of how in 1985 Stephen King wrote and directed his horror classic MAXIMUM OVERDRIVE.

Check out the full list here.

Thanks to Anders Jakobson and Lou Sytsma

From Pet Sematary To IT

Posted: December 13, 2016, 07:37
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In episode #65 of The Stephen King Podcast Lou and I spoke to John Campopiano about his wonderful documentary about Pet Sematary, Unearthed and Untold: The Path to Pet Sematary and today I’m very happy to tell you that John isn’t finished with King’s movies. Right now he is working on a documentary on the 1990 version of IT.

The documentary will be release next year. Head over to Bloody Disgusting for all the details.

A young John Compopiano

Thanks to Lou Sytsma, Douglas Dowie and Herbert West

Special feature

King calendar

Ongoing:
Welcome To Derry (TV series)
Out Now!:
Stephen King: Odds & Ends (Italian ed.)
November 14, 2025:
The Running Man
November 19, 2025:
The End Times
2025:
Stephen King: Stories From Five Decades of Storytelling (German edition)
2025:
Stephen King: Not Just Horror (German ed.)
2026:
Stephen King: Not Just Horror (Portuguese ed.)
2026:
Stephen King: Stories From Five Decades of Storytelling (Portuguese edition)

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November 3, 2025
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February 16, 2021

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October 28, 2025
Welcome To Derry
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