Another Stephen King book is being adapted into a feature film. Hollywood sure does love Stephen King, and the latest project will be an adaptation of the 2018 novel Elevation, his latest book that is set in the fictional town of Castle Rock.
The project is being developed by Jack Bender, a filmmaker who has already had plenty of experience working on a few other Stephen King projects. He’s worked on shows such as Under The Dome, Mr. Mercedes, and The Outsider, and he’s also currently not only developing a miniseries version of King’s 2019 novel The Institute.
During a recent interview with CinemaBlend, Bender recently talked about adapting the book and how he’s already presented King with the idea and changes that he made to the story:
“He is very generous about that when it works. I’ve recently adapted a book of his called Elevation, which we’re going to make into a film. And I invented some stuff and added, and was nervous because he’d never read anything I’ve written, only directed and produced. And needless to say I was nervous about it, but he loved it. He’s very gracious, and he knows that when we make a TV show, there’s going to be stuff added stuff taken away; that’s just the way it goes.”
If you’re not familiar with Elevation, the story is described as a “riveting, extraordinarily eerie, and moving story about a man whose mysterious affliction brings a small town together—a timely, upbeat tale about finding common ground despite deep-rooted differences.”
Bender didn’t reveal many details about his feature adaptation, but he did explain why he wanted to take on the project saying:
“I always saw it as adapting the book because it’s a fable, and it’s very out of Stephen King’s box of horror, et cetera. It’s really about how we can all be better people. And it’s a wonderful story. It’s one of those little gems, and I felt that from when I first read it.”
Well, Elevation is another great book from King, and I’m excited to hear that it’s being adapted into a feature film. I think it’ll make a fantastic film. Not sure what changes needs to be made to the story, but we’ll eventually find out! Here’s a more detailed description of the story:
Although Scott Carey doesn’t look any different, he’s been steadily losing weight. There are a couple of other odd things, too. He weighs the same in his clothes and out of them, no matter how heavy they are. Scott doesn’t want to be poked and prodded. He mostly just wants someone else to know, and he trusts Doctor Bob Ellis.
In the small town of Castle Rock, the setting of many of King’s most iconic stories, Scott is engaged in a low grade—but escalating—battle with the lesbians next door whose dog regularly drops his business on Scott’s lawn. One of the women is friendly; the other, cold as ice. Both are trying to launch a new restaurant, but the people of Castle Rock want no part of a gay married couple, and the place is in trouble. When Scott finally understands the prejudices they face–including his own—he tries to help. Unlikely alliances, the annual foot race, and the mystery of Scott’s affliction bring out the best in people who have indulged the worst in themselves and others.
From Stephen King, our “most precious renewable resource, like Shakespeare in the malleability of his work” (The Guardian), Elevation is an antidote to our divisive culture, as gloriously joyful (with a twinge of deep sadness) as “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
What do you all think about King’s Elevation being adapted into a film by Jack Bender?