CBS to bring Stephen King's The Stand to the big screen

Stephen King's back catalogue is being plundered at the moment by film studio's looking for the next hit. Following Ron Howard’s decision to delve into The Dark Tower it now appears that CBS Films will unleash The Stand.

The Stand is a post apocalyptic tale of survival. America is ravaged following a virus outbreak leaving the population on the brink of extinction. The book follows a group trying to live in the harsh reality of this world, while fending off demonic Randall Flagg, who appears in many guises in Stephen King lore.

The book was originally published back in 1978 and this will not be the first screen outing for the story. It has been the subject of many incarnations but most notably was created into a TV miniseries back in 1994.

The rights to the film have been with CBS for some time now, but without any movement. It is possible that they have been spurred on to act of The Dark Tower generating mainstream excitement for King's work once more. Alternatively, CBS do not want to be the people who put out the first King adaptation film after The Dark Tower.

Empire makes an interesting query; will this be a stand-alone film or part of a wider franchise? The bigger question for CBS is this; is there really room for a simultaneous Dark Tower film and the mooted television series as well as The Stand? Would it risk creating divided camps therefore damaging both film's following,Team Tower or Team Stand, which would you prefer?

::Update::

Well, given the news that yet another remake of Stephen King's works has been plucked out for a big screen outing, you would think he would be happy. You'd be wrong.

Following the announcement of Pet Sematary joining The Stand and the The Dark Tower King showered criticism on remaking The Stand.

Writing in Entertainment Weekly King said: "No one will be able to top Gary Sinise, who played Stu Redman in the original ABC miniseries. He was perfect." However, King sources Jake Gyllenhaal as his 'runner up' pick. Adding, "You absolutely can’t make it as a two-hour movie. If it was a trilogy of films…maybe". CBS will be pleased.