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The One Stephen King Adaption You Will Never See

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There is no doubt about it, we are living in the time of Stephen King.  Several of his works have been adapted already with several more on the way.  Within the past year we have witnessed several of his stories come to the big screen as well the small.  Netflix alone has two films coming out within the next two months; Gerald’s Game and 1922.  It’s hard to guess which piece of work will be turned into a film next.  However, there is one literary work that King penned that will never find the light of day.  That work is titled Rage.

Rage is one of King’s earliest works, and the first work to be released under the pseudonym Richard Bachman.  The delicate nature of the book has since caused King to cancel its publication in 1999 and has not been mentioned since.  So, what is this book?  What is it about?  Why was its publication cancelled and what made King state in 2007 that the book was “Now out of print, and a good thing”?  Read on as we dive into the literary work known as Rage.

Image result for stephen king's rage

As many readers know, King went by a pseudonym early in his career, Richard Bachman.  King released several books under the name including The Regulators, The Running Man, and Thinner.  However, it was Rage (originally titled Getting it On) that would go on to be the least talked about Bachman book because of its content and premise.  King released Rage in 1977, and then again as part of his collection The Bachman Books in 1985. It was this later release that would give the story a much wider audience.

The story centers around a Maine high school student that goes by the name of Charlie Decker.  Charlie is what we would call a troubled child.  In the beginning of the story we witness Charlie being called into the principal’s office to discuss an altercation he had with his chemistry teacher.  The altercation ended with Charlie suspended and the teacher hospitalized.  Charlie still has a chip on his shoulder and verbally assaults his principal which results in his own suspension.  After Charlie storms out of the office he stops by his locker, grabs a pistol, then decides to light his locker ablaze.  The fire triggers the fire alarm but not before he arrives back in class and shoots his algebra teacher.  The rest of the school evacuates but Charlie commands his classmates to stay behind.

It isn’t until Charlie is left with his classmates when the real meat of the story begins.  The class becomes a sort of psychotherapy room with everyone in the class sharing their deepest and darkest stories.  Through these stories, and Charlies’ as well, we are treated to the darkness that is Charlie.  Charlie, in a sick twisted way, seems to have the class on his side.  Enough so that he convinces the class to tear apart their classmate Ted, leaving the student in a catatonic state.  (Ted was no angel)

Charlie eventually lets his classmates go free at 1 p.m. but poor Ted can’t leave due to the beat down he received from his classmates.  The police storm the room and the unarmed Charlie makes a move to make the police shoot him dead.  The police do shoot Charlie, but he survives.  He is then ordered through court to exist in a psychiatric hospital  until he is fit enough to stand trial for his crimes.

That is the meat and potatoes of this story.  However, the effects of the story went on.  The novella was viewed as inspiration in at least five mass shootings between 1988 and 1997.  The book was cited as either being a favorite or even being in the possession of students that shot up their school.  The book today would seem a bit tame by today’s standards but was enough for King to allow the book to fall out of print.  King has since gone on to write an essay titled Guns after the horrific incident at Sandy Hook and detailed why he let Rage go out of print.

Sometimes there are stories that mirror life so closely, not in the intention of the author, that are better off being allowed to sift through the cracks.  This King story is an excellent example.  It is is in my opinion, however, that this story is still worth being read.  Copies of the Bachman books are available on Amazon and Ebay.  This is the one King adaption you will never see become a film.  King has been very passionate about his dislike of guns and would prefer this story just go away.

 

Kings Guns essay: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://engl102-field.wikispaces.umb.edu/file/view/Guns%2B-%2BKing,%2BStephen%2Bcopy.pdf&ved=0ahUKEwjWuPPLuNzWAhUm4YMKHcnQATgQ5OUBCG4wCw&usg=AOvVaw1TjVXCzc__RBAvJC7pYLi2

 

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A24 Creating New Action Thriller “Onslaught” From ‘The Guest’ & ‘You’re Next’ Duo

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It’s always nice to see a reunion in the world of horror. Following a competitive bidding war, A24 has secured the rights to the new action thriller film Onslaught. Adam Wingard (Godzilla vs. Kong) will be directing the film. He will be joined by his longtime creative partner Simon Barret (You’re Next) as the scriptwriter.

For those unaware, Wingard and Barret made a name for themselves while working together on films such as You’re Next and The Guest. The two creatives are card carrying horror royalty. The pair have worked on films such as V/H/S, Blair Witch, The ABC’s of Death, and A Horrible Way to Die.

An exclusive article of out Deadline gives us the limited information we have on the topic. Although we don’t have much to go on, Deadline does offer the following information.

A24

“Plot details are being kept under wraps but the film is in the vein of Wingard and Barrett’s cult classics like The Guest and You’re Next. Lyrical Media and A24 will co-finance. A24 will handle worldwide releasing. Principal photography will begin in Fall 2024.”

A24 will be producing the film alongside Aaron Ryder and Andrew Swett for Ryder Picture Company, Alexander Black for Lyrical Media, Wingard and Jeremy Platt for Breakaway Civilization, and Simon Barret.

That’s all the information we have at this time. Make sure to check back here for more news and updates.

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Director Louis Leterrier Creating New Sci-Fi Horror Film “11817”

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Louis Leterrier

According to an article from Deadline, Louis Leterrier (The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance) is about to shake things up with his new Sci-Fi horror film 11817. Leterrier is set to produce and direct the new Movie. 11817 is penned by the glorious Mathew Robinson (The Invention of Lying).

Rocket Science will be taking the film to Cannes in search of a buyer. While we don’t know much about what the film looks like, Deadline offers the following plot synopsis.

“The film watches as inexplicable forces trap a family of four inside their house indefinitely. As both modern luxuries and life or death essentials begin to run out, the family must learn how to be resourceful to survive and outsmart who — or what — is keeping them trapped…”

“Directing projects where the audience gets behind the characters has always been my focus. However complex, flawed, heroic, we identify with them as we live through their journey,” said Leterrier. “It’s what excites me about 11817‘s wholly original concept and the family at the heart of our story. This is an experience that movie audiences won’t forget.”

Leterrier has made a name for himself in the past for working on beloved franchises. His portfolio includes gems such as Now You See Me, The Incredible Hulk, Clash of The Titans, and The Transporter. He is currently attached to create the final Fast and the Furious film. However, it will be interesting to see what Leterrier can do working with some darker subject material.

That’s all the information we have for you at this time. As always, make sure to check back here for more news and updates.

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New to Netflix (U.S.) This Month [May 2024]

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atlas movie Netflix starring Jennifer Lopez

Another month means fresh additions to Netflix. Although there aren’t many new horror titles this month, there are still some notable movies well worth your time. For instance, you can watch Karen Black try to land a 747 jet in Airport 1979, or Casper Van Dien kill giant insects in Paul Verhoeven’s bloody sci-fi opus Starship Troopers.

We are looking forward to the Jennifer Lopez sci-fi action movie Atlas. But let us know what you are going to watch. And if we have missed something, put it in the comments.

May 1:

Airport

A blizzard, a bomb, and a stowaway help create the perfect storm for the manager of a Midwestern airport and a pilot with a messy personal life.

Airport ’75

Airport ’75

When a Boeing 747 loses its pilots in a midair collision, a member of the cabin crew must take control with radio help from a flight instructor.

Airport ’77

A luxury 747 packed with VIPs and priceless art goes down in the Bermuda Triangle after being hijacked by thieves — and time for a rescue is running out.

Jumanji

Two siblings discover an enchanted board game that opens a door to a magical world — and unwittingly release a man who’s been trapped inside for years.

Hellboy

Hellboy

A half-demon paranormal investigator questions his defense of humans when a dismembered sorceress rejoins the living to wreak brutal vengeance.

Starship Troopers

When fire-spitting, brain-sucking bugs attack Earth and obliterate Buenos Aires, an infantry unit heads to the aliens’ planet for a showdown.

May 9

Bodkin

Bodkin

A ragtag crew of podcasters sets out to investigate mysterious disappearances from decades earlier in a charming Irish town with dark, dreadful secrets.

May 15

The Clovehitch Killer

The Clovehitch Killer

A teenager’s picture-perfect family is torn apart when he uncovers unnerving evidence of a serial killer close to home.

May 16

Upgrade

After a violent mugging leaves him paralyzed, a man receives a computer chip implant that allows him to control his body — and get his revenge.

Monster

Monster

After being abducted and taken to a desolate house, a girl sets out to rescue her friend and escape from their malicious kidnapper.

May 24

Atlas

Atlas

A brilliant counterterrorism analyst with a deep distrust of AI discovers it might be her only hope when a mission to capture a renegade robot goes awry.

Jurassic World: Chaos Theory

The Camp Cretaceous gang come together to unravel a mystery when they discover a global conspiracy that brings danger to dinosaurs — and to themselves.

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