If you love Stephen King then you’re clearly having an amazing week. Two days ago, COLLIDER reported that Harry Potter director David Yates is collaborating with Harry Potter screenwriter Steve Cloves for a multiple-film adaptation of Stephen King’s The Stand. And even more incredible than this — get ready — Variety broke the news yesterday that Jonathan Demme has optioned the feature film rights to King’s upcoming sci-fi novel 11/22/63 and plans on directing, writing, and producing the project.
The story centers on a 35-year-old high school English teacher who travels back in time to prevent the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and Stephen King will also serve as executive producer on the project. Demme is the directorial equivalent of Yoda when it comes to brilliantly rich and complex character studies (i.e. Philadelphia, Rachel Getting Married, and one of the greatest films ever made — Silence Of The Lambs), so when you factor in the sci-fi aspect of 11/22/63 it’s enough to make me poo my pants with excitement. Demme is aiming for a fall 2012 shoot. And I am aiming for a new pair of underwear. Amazingness.
