Stephen King’s Elevation: Jack Bender plans film based on Castle Rock story

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Director Jack Bender has worked on the Stephen King-inspired television shows Mr. Mercedes, Under the Dome, and The Outsider, and he's set to continue digging into the world of King with a film adaptation of the author's 2018 novella Elevation (pick up a copy HERE).

Elevation isn't exactly a horror story, although it does feature the unnerving idea of a person gradually becoming weightless. Here's the description: 

Although Scott Carey doesn’t look any different, he’s been steadily losing weight. There are a couple of other odd things, too. He weighs the same in his clothes and out of them, no matter how heavy they are. Scott doesn’t want to be poked and prodded. He mostly just wants someone else to know, and he trusts Doctor Bob Ellis.

In the small town of Castle Rock, the setting of many of King’s most iconic stories, Scott is engaged in a low grade—but escalating—battle with the lesbians next door whose dog regularly drops his business on Scott’s lawn. One of the women is friendly; the other, cold as ice. Both are trying to launch a new restaurant, but the people of Castle Rock want no part of a gay married couple, and the place is in trouble. When Scott finally understands the prejudices they face–including his own—he tries to help. Unlikely alliances, the annual foot race, and the mystery of Scott’s affliction bring out the best in people who have indulged the worst in themselves and others.

When asked about making changes to King's work for the shows he has been directing and/or producer on, Bender told Cinema Blend, 

(King) is very generous about that when it works. I've recently adapted a book of his called Elevation, which we're going to make into a film. And I invented some stuff and added, and was nervous because he'd never read anything I've written, only directed and produced. And needless to say I was nervous about it, but he loved it. He's very gracious, and he knows that when we make a TV show, there's going to be stuff added stuff taken away; that's just the way it goes."

Bender went on to say he was drawn to Elevation because 

it's a fable, and it's very out of Stephen King's box of horror, et cetera. It's really about how we can all be better people. And it's a wonderful story. It's one of those little gems, and I felt that from when I first read it."

Bender didn't say when he hopes to get Elevation into production, but we'll keep you updated on the project as we learn more about it.