Over 45 years ago, Stephen King released The Stand, his post-apocalyptic dark fantasy novel about a virus that wiped out much of the human race. To this day, it remains an acclaimed book and is highly regarded as one of his best novels period. Like other King books, there’s an extension of that book on the way—though instead of a TV show or movie, it’s taking the form of a brand new book.
Earlier in the week, horror writer Brian Keene (best known for The Rising and Earthworm Gods books) revealed he and fellow horror novelist Christopher Golden (Buffy) are editing an anthology set in the universe of King’s novel. The End of the World as We Know It: Tales of Stephen King’s The Stand will feature short stories from writers such as Caroline Kepnes, Michael Kortya, Josh Malerman, Paul Tremblay, S.A. Cosby, and Wayne Brady. (On Twitter, Keene added that the anthology isn’t taking any more submissions and any that are sent will be deleted without being read.) Along with having King’s stamp of approval, he’ll pen the introduction that opens the book.
The Stand has been adapted a number of times, most famously in 1994 with an award-winning TV miniseries (that King wrote) starring Gary Sinise, Miguel Ferrer, and Ossie Davis. More recently, there was the 2020 Paramount+ miniseries for from New Mutants director Josh Boone and starring James Marsden, Odessa Young, and Jovan Adepo. Notably, that version featured a different ending to the book written by King, which marked the third ending for The Stand overall.
At time of writing, The End of the World as We Know It: Tales of Stephen King’s The Stand lacks an official release date.
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