Warner Bros. wants Ben Affleck to adapt Stephen King’s The Stand

Last Updated on July 23, 2021

You think he’ll take the offer?!? And what the hell happened to David Yates?

Deadline is reporting Warner Bros. has elected Ben Affleck – who directed THE TOWN, and is currently filming ARGO for the studio – to helm the long-gestating adaptation of Stephen King’s THE STAND. At last blush, the studio seemed pretty intent on HARRY POTTER alum David Yates to helm. But apparently Affleck and all that charm of his has rubbed off.

Now, it should be noted, no offer has been officially made yet. Affleck is currently filming, and there’s still no telling if he’s interested in taking THE STAND…by far his most ambitious endeavor (potentially). Remember, not only did King himself scoff at the notion of a big-screen adaptation, the notion of a franchise trilogy seems awfully daunting as well (creatively, economically).

Still, here’s what the story entails:

One man escapes from a biological weapon facility after an accident, carrying with him the deadly virus known as Captain Tripps, a rapidly mutating flu that – in the ensuing weeks – wipes out most of the world’s population. In the aftermath, survivors choose between following an elderly black woman to Boulder or the dark man, Randall Flagg, who has set up his command post in Las Vegas. The two factions prepare for a confrontation between the forces of good and evil.

Alrighty, given that premise and Affleck’s directorial track record, do we see a fit? Can Affleck, even if willing, make a decent attempt at THE STAND? If not, who’s a better choice?

ARGO star Kerry Bishe