Stephen Kingfans disappointed by the news that his 2022 novelFairy Talewill not be heading to the big screen can settle easily in the knowledge that it is getting even better treatment – asan A24-backed 10-part TV series. Clocking in at over 600 pages, it was always a big ask for the story to be crammed into a two-hour movie, and would likely have ended up as a disappointment as a result. Now, it looks likeoriginal script-writer and possible director Paul Greengrass will have the chance to deliver a fully fleshed-out version of the magical and terrifying story.
According toDeadline, Greengrass, who is probably best known for directing several Jason Bourne movies, is now rewriting the script with the help ofFringeandAlmost Humanscribe J.H. Wyman, who will also act as showrunner for the series. They will be joined by A24’s Peter Rice and King as executive producers, with Greengrass in talks to direct the series.
DespiteFairy Talebecoming the subject of a bidding war shortly after its publication,Universal’s plans to back the deal fell apart,leaving King-fan Rice to step in and bring the original team to A24 to continue the project in the form of a TV show. Now fans will be looking forward to the latest in a recent run of strong shows based on King’s stories, includingHBO’sThe Outsider, and Epix’s underratedChapelwaite.
What is Stephen King’s Fairy Tale About?
Although King has dabbled in many genres alongside his staple horror catalog,Fairy Taleis his first full-blown…fairy tale. However, as you would expect, it comes with a few touches of pure King horror. The novel follows teenager Charlie Reade, who after offering some kindness to an old man seen as a town outsider, finds himself being introduced to the parallel dimension of Empis; a world of giants and curses straight out of a children’s storybook, where a magical sundial offers the chance of a prolonged life and a war between good and evil is just around the corner.
The novel, as you would expect, became an instant bestseller. Delivering a story that begins by spending time building up its characters before shooting off into its dark fantasy adventure, the source material certainly lends itself more to a long-form adaptation. There are certain milestones along the journey that can act as episode cliffhangers, and like many King stories,the ending is one that could make a magnificent spectacle if done correctly.
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Naturally, being set in a wild, fantasy landscape, with peculiar creatures, fearsome giants and more,the project is going to end up being one of the more costly of A24’s productions. As a studio that is rising in the industry at a rate of knots, this could be another huge leap forward for the company responsible for shows likeThe SympathizerandHazbin Hotel, as well as theatrical hits likeCivil War, Maxxxine, and the upcomingHereticandQueer.
