There isn’t much in Stephen King’s oeuvre that hasn’t been adapted for either television or film, but his fantasy epic, The Talisman, is one piece yet to receive the visual treatment. Not for lack of trying, mind you.
Written alongside Peter Straub, the 921-page novel has been in Steven Spielberg’s ownership since the 1980s and the three-time Academy Award winner has attempted, on multiple occasions, to adapt it. Most notable was a six-hour-long miniseries written by The Skeleton Key screenwriter Ehren Kruger, which was deemed “too rich for TNT’s blood.”
In a recent sit-down with EW, Spielberg discussed how he came to be in possession of the King novel and revealed that, after thirty five years, he still wants to see The Talisman grace the big screen.
“I feel that in the very near future, that’s going to be our richest collaboration. Universal bought the book for me, so it wasn’t optioned. It was an outright sale of the book. I’ve owned the book since ’82, and I’m hoping to get this movie made in the next couple of years.”
With Indiana Jones 5’s pre-production keeping Spielberg busy for the rest of 2018 and filming of said project occupying the director for the better part of 2019, it’s highly unlikely that he’ll helm the picture himself, something that he’s intently aware of.
“I’m not committing to the project as a director, I’m just saying that it’s something that I’ve wanted to see come to theaters for the last 35 years.”
The success of Andy Muschietti’s IT has put Stephen King’s literary works in high demand. Over the past month alone, CBS All Access has ordered a ten-part miniseries based on The Stand, and David Ayer’s Cedar Park Entertainment obtained the rights to The Bone Church. Additionally, Starry Eyes co-directors Dennis Widmyer and Kevin Kolsch’s remake of Pet Sematary is set to begin production in Toronto next month, so it’s certainly been a solid four weeks for King.
Although Spielberg and the author have yet to work together officially, their first collaboration seems imminent. The Ready Player One director has nothing but praise for his literary counterpart and vice versa, and we’re hopeful that they’ll be able to bring The Talisman to the big screen sooner rather than later.