A feature-film or TV series based on Stephen King's "The Stand" has been languishing in development hell under a variety of potential directors for quite some time, but at long last, it seems that an adaptation of the best-selling novel will actually see the light of day. CBS All Access have given a 10-episode order to The Stand which will come from Josh Boone (THE FAULT IN OUR STARS and Ben Cavell (SEAL Team).
The post-apocalyptic series takes place in a world which has been decimated by plague and embroiled in an elemental struggle between good and evil. With the fate of mankind resting on the frail shoulders of the 108-year-old Mother Abagail and a handful of survivors, they find themselves facing their worst nightmares embodied in a man with a lethal smile and unspeakable powers: Randall Flagg, the Dark Man. "I’m excited and so very pleased that The Stand is going to have a new life on this exciting new platform," said Stephen King in a statement. "The people involved are men and women who know exactly what they’re doing; the scripts are dynamite. The result bids to be something memorable and thrilling. I believe it will take viewers away to a world they hope will never happen." Ben Cavell and Josh Boone will both write and executive produce the series with Boone serving as director. As I said, an adaptation of "The Stand" has been in development for quite some time and Josh Boone has been attached to write and direct the project since 2014. After numerous delays and frustrations, Boone's time has finally come.
I read The Stand under my bed when I was 12, and my Baptist parents burned it in our fireplace upon discovery. Incensed, I stole my Dad’s FedEx account number and mailed King a letter professing my love for his work. Several weeks later, I came home to find a box had arrived from Maine, and inside were several books, each inscribed with a beautiful note from god himself, who encouraged me in my writing and thanked me for being a fan. My parents, genuinely moved by King’s kindness and generosity, lifted the ban on his books that very day. I wrote King a cameo as himself in my first film and have been working to bring The Stand to the screen for five years. I’ve found incredible partners in CBS All Access and Ben Cavell. Together with Stephen King, Owen King, my longtime producing partners Knate Lee and Jill Killington, we plan to bring you the ultimate version of King’s masterwork.
CBS hasn't revealed a premiere date just yet, but seeing as how the scripts seem to be well on the way, I'd guess we'll finally get to see Stephen King's post-apocalyptic tale play out in 2020.