Pop Culture Buzz

Frank Darabont writer/director of “The Shawshank Redemption”, “The Green Mile” and “The Mist” has plans for another Stephen King big screen adaptation. This one, written under King’s pseudonym Richard Bachman, is the sci-fi tale “The Long Walk”. The story tells of a futuristic foot race where competitors are shot when they stop walking. The last man walking wins. A movie constantly on the go is the next hurdle Darabont faces. (Below are quotes taken from Variety magazine):

DIRECTOR/WRITER FRANK DARABONT

“Certainly you can’t get too handheld with it because then you’d have an image bouncing for the length of a feature film,” said Darabont. “I think there’s got to be some stabilizing gizmos that I can use to get some of that coverage but I’m already thinking about that.”

Darabont distinguished between his styles for The Mist and his previous films. Where he spent time carefully planning on “The Shawshank Redemption” and “The Green Mile”, he took a fast and furious approach to “The Mist”. That style would also be appropriate for “The Long Walk”.

“That would also be, I think, probably the more ragged and loose and documentary kind of feel. It would probably be an even lower budget than this one was.”

With “Fahrenheit 451″ set to be Darabont’s next project, “The Long Walk” could still be a long way off. “That right now is still in the future. That’s on one of the back burners for now. It probably won’t be too long but before I do that, I’m hoping to get “Fahrenheit 451″ rolling next year.”

I for one am a HUGE Darabont and King fan. I love all three of their big screen collaborations so far. “The Mist” has had a haunting effect on me since I saw it over 2 weeks ago. That films horrific imagery and profound message have had a staggering effect on my sensibilities, it was that intense. I know many people that would say that “Shawshank” left an emotional imprint on them after viewing it as well. As for the “The Green Mile”, it was a beautiful film, but it didn’t pack the same punch of “The Mist” or “Shawshank”.

HORROR AUTHOR STEPHEN KING

Any way you look at all this exciting news fans have something to cheer about. The book “The Long Walk” is a hard read, and I couldn’t get through it completely. But I can say that the plot is riveting and the film should be another triumph if Darabont uses the same techniques that made his last 3 films such critical successes.

News of Darabont’s “Fahrenheit 451″ (written by Ray Bradbury) movie is also very exciting for sci-fi fans everywhere as well. Darabont’s reputation for great movie adaptations has been impeccable so far, which should mean that “Fareinheit” and “The Long Walk” won’t be any different in style and execution.