‘The Stand’ Heading to Showtime for Eight-Part Miniseries to Lead in to Feature Film

Josh Boone’s adaptation of Stephen King’s The Stand grows ever more ambitious — what started as a simple feature-length film (no way that could work), evolved into plans for multiple films, and now an additional eight-part miniseries on Showtime. Yes, Warner Bros. is reportedly partnering with the premium network for the series, which will serve as a prequel of sorts to lead up to the feature film.

According to The Wrap, Warner Bros.’ plans apparently no longer include multiple film adaptations of Stephen King’s classic post-apocalyptic novel. Instead, WB and CBS Films are in talks with Showtime for an eight-part miniseries, to be written and directed by Josh Boone (The Fault in Our Stars). That series, which begins shooting early next year, will culminate in one feature-length film.

It’s a bold move for WB, but The Stand is a very ambitious project — the narrative is sprawling and covers several key characters spread all over the US, who must come together in conflicting factions before the ultimate climax. By taking on a miniseries, Boone will have eight additional hours on top of (presumably) a two or two-and-a-half hour film to do all the necessary character and world-building.

King’s novel centers on the survivors of an epic plague that has wiped out the American population, and the epic battle between good and evil that follows. Boone, a lifelong Stephen King fan, has received the author’s blessing on his project, and has reportedly already written a role for The Fault in Our Stars actor Nat Wolff.