The Fault in Our Stars helmer Josh Boone has spent the last two years wrangling his big-screen rendition of Stephen King’s The Stand into shape. Last we reported, Matthew McConaughey was in line to play one of the lead villains, Randall Flagg, in a series that would seemingly span one single R-rated feature and even a Showtime miniseries.
But Deadline brings word that Boone has placed the sprawling adaptation on the shelf for the time being, filling his time by, well, adapting another Stephen King novel. This time it’s 2014’s Revival that’s poised to leap onto the silver screen, and word is that the director has already finalized a script. Working in tandem with producer Michael De Luca (The Social Network, Fifty Shades of Grey), the project has been pitched to Universal, though the outlet notes it may yet find a different home.
Here’s the official logline of the novel:
In a small New England town, over half a century ago, a shadow falls over a small boy playing with his toy soldiers. Jamie Morton looks up to see a striking man, the new minister. Charles Jacobs, along with his beautiful wife will transform the local church. The men and boys are all a bit in love with Mrs. Jacobs; the women and girls feel the same about Reverend Jacobs—including Jamie’s mother and beloved sister, Claire. With Jamie, the Reverend shares a deeper bond based on a secret obsession. When tragedy strikes the Jacobs family, this charismatic preacher curses God, mocks all religious belief, and is banished from the shocked town.’
What’s important to note is that Josh Boone still fully intends to direct The Stand, it’ll just have to set up shop at another studio. Having languished in development for years at Warner Bros., the property has now reverted back to CBS Films. Still, Boone confirmed he has verbal confirmations that a select handful of A-listers – McConaughey, perhaps? – will still star.
Revival, meanwhile, has been tabled at Universal where Boone has a first-look deal. Should it secure a green light, expect production to begin later this year.