Doug Liman has been set to direct a feature version of Stephen King’s 1978 post-apocalyptic fantasy novel The Stand for Paramount Pictures.
Liman will produce with Tyler Thompson of Cross Creek Pictures and Paramount is believed to be fast-tracking development.
The epic King novel is about the aftermath of a pandemic of weaponised influenza that causes the surviving humans to divide into good and evil factions.
The novel has been filmed twice before, both times as a TV miniseries. A 1994 version for ABC starred Gary Sinise and Molly Ringwald, and a 2021 version for then streamer CBS All Access featured James Marsden and Odessa Young.
Feature versions have been developed in the past, with directors including George A Romero and David Yates reportedly involved, but none made it to the screen.
Liman most recently shot upcoming biographical drama Everest, with Ewan McGregor starring as mountaineer George Mallory.
The director’s most recent releases have included Apple Original Films’ The Instigators, Amazon MGM thriller Road House and Lionsgate action adventure Chaos Walking. His earlier films include Mr & Mrs Smith and The Bourne Identity, whose three sequels Liman executive produced.
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