Fans of Stephen King’s The Stand Have Something To Look Forward To

Fans of Stephen King’s The Stand should be excited for August, as a new release endorsed by the author presents unique possibilities. The Stand was first published in 1978, with The Complete & Uncut Edition debuting in 1990, which added 400 pages and rearranged chapters. This edition makes it King’s longest stand-alone work at 1,152 pages, beating IT‘s 1,138-page count. The Stand was also lengthy by design, as King wanted to write an epic tale in the spirit of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. Though his post-apocalyptic novel is a bleak epic as only Stephen King could tell, it has become one of his most beloved works.

The Stand has been adapted into two different TV miniseries, and there was even a run of Marvel Comics based on the novel. It was also the introduction of King’s character Randall Flagg, who would go on to appear in several other books, including his Dark Tower series. With all the media that The Stand has helped fuel, the world that King breathed life into is now set to expand with new stories this August with the release of the book The End of the World As We Know It.

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Stephen King’s The Stand Tells Of A Post-Apocalyptic World Ravaged By A Pandemic

With The Stand, King tells the story of a world ravaged by a weaponized influenza, which is referred to as a “superflu,” and “Captain Trips,” thanks to its disorienting effects. The virus escapes a Department of Defense facility due to a security breach, sweeping the United States before devastating humanity worldwide. The Stand sees over 99% of the world’s population die as a result of the pandemic, with global infrastructure in ruins, leaving the survivors a devastatingly bleak landscape in which to live.

While The Stand follows numerous characters, there are two distinct groups that represent good and evil. A group of survivors with shared visions of Mother Abigail come together under her guidance, building the Free Zone and setting about reestablishing some semblance of society. The protagonists of the story are among Mother Abigail’s followers, as they are eventually pit against the leader of a fascist dictatorship.

Randall Flagg leads the evil group in The Stand, with his followers worshiping him like a messiah figure and even crucifying those deemed undesirable. Flagg wants war with Mother Abigail’s community, which she foresees, sending a group to stop him. There are numerous story threads and horrifying details that beset each character, brought to life via terrifyingly detailed imagery. The Stand succeeded by allowing interesting, dynamic characters to thrive in a world that is struggling to bounce back from the near extinction of humanity, demonstrating why it is one of King’s most lauded works.

The End Of The World As We Know It Expands King’s Post-Apocalyptic Universe

The End of the World As We Know It is an anthology of short stories set in the world of The Stand. Some of the stories take place before and after the events of King’s original novel, fleshing out the world he created. The book is also authorized by Stephen King, who penned the introduction. Numerous creatives contributed to the stories in The End of the World As We Know It, including Somer Canon, Poppy Z. Brite, and C. Robert Cargill, the latter of whom moviegoers may know from the screenplays for Sinister and The Black Phone.

While most specific story details are still under wraps ahead of the August debut of The End of the World As We Know It, early word has teased a unique blend. Some stories promise to be horrifying and violent, with others said to be more philosophical in nature. Still, each new tale will expand on King’s epic vision, and with The Stand having been adapted for TV before, The End of the World As We Know It could make the same leap.

The Stand Has Been Adapted For TV, & The End Of The World As We Know It Could Be Next

The Stand has been adapted into two different TV miniseries. The first, in 1994, starred Gary Sinise, Molly Ringwald, Jamey Sheridan, Rob Lowe, and Miguel Ferrer, among others. The story unfolded over four feature-length episodes and was a hit with critics and audiences. The 2020 adaptation of The Stand tells the tale over the course of nine hour-long episodes, starring James Marsden, Alexander Skarsgård, and Whoopi Goldberg, alongside an eclectic cast in other roles. However, most were unimpressed with the adaptation, which garnered lukewarm reviews from critics and even hatred from some King fans.

The End of the World As We Know It proposes the perfect way to expand the world of The Stand in more ways than one. Given that The Stand has found success on TV, at least with the 1994 adaptation, there is room for new stories to thrive in the world of streaming. The anthology format would also work perfectly for episodic TV, as each installment could take on another story from the book. While plans for The End of the World As We Know It are unknown beyond its August release, the bleak world Stephen King established may have a bright future. There are even plans to see director Doug Liman potentially turn The Stand into a feature film, which could manifest in the coming years.

Birthdate

September 21, 1947

Birthplace

Portland, Maine

Notable Projects

The Shining, Cujo, The Shawshank Redemption, It, Carrie