Stephen King’s classic 1984 fantasy horror book The Tailsman is finally getting an adaptation thanks to Netflix, Steven Spielberg, and Stranger Things creators The Duffer Bros. Spielberg actually picked up the rights to the book in 1982 for Amblin, two years before the book was even published. He acquired the screen rights outright and in perpetuity.
Over the past 35-plus years, the filmmaker has been trying to develop it as a movie, “trying in vain to find a way into the story.” Well, it looks like he finally found a way to tell the story, and instead of a film, it will be as a series.
Spielberg enlisted the help of the Duffer Bros. who have been inspired by Spielberg’s work as they have developed Stranger Things. They are attached as executive producers on the series and they seems like the perfect talent to help bring this story to life.
Curtis Gwinn has also joined the project as a writer and showrunner. He previously worked as a writer and executive producer on Stranger Things, so he’ll fit right in with the creative team.
Talisman tells the story of a 12-year old boy named Jack Sawyer who sets off on an epic road-trip quest in order to save his dying mother’s life. He is in search of the Talisman, a powerful relic that can not only heal his mother but, as he learns, save the world. Sawyer’s journey criss-crosses two realities: the America we know and its dangerous, fantasy-world twin, The Territories.
It’s an awesome story, and I’ve been waiting for Spielberg to finally adapt it. Thankfully, it looks like it’s in a place where it will actually happen and I can’t wait to see how this creative team ends up bringing the story to life.
Source: THR