Trivia question: how many of Stephen King’s books haven’t been adapted for either television or cinema? We don’t actually know the answer, but percentage-wise it can’t be very high (even though his seven “The Dark Tower” novels look no closer to making it onto the big screen any time soon) and now yet another one of his novellas is being adapted for the screen. Deadline reports that one of King’s tales from 1982’s "Different Seasons," “The Breathing Method,” will be making the transition thanks to Scott Derrickson (“Sinister”) who is developing the project (presumably to direct).
All the other stories in King’s "Different Seasons" ("Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption," "Apt Pupil" and "The Body") have all been adapted already, and if "The Breathing Method" can replicate the success of either “The Shawshank Redemption” or “Stand By Me” then Derrickson and co-producer Jason Blum will both be extremely happy indeed. Set in the 1930s, the story is told from the perspective of a Manhattan lawyer who attends a strange men’s club. When one of the other members, an elderly physician, recounts the mysterious story of a woman who was determined to give birth to her illegitimate child, and who remains determined even after a horiffic accident on the way to the hospital.
There’s probably a reason that the novella has remained unadapted 30 years after its publication despite the success of its accompanying stories. In truth, it just doesn’t seem all that cinematic. It would probably be perfect for an old episode of “The Twilight Zone” perhaps, but it will need a lot of work in order to be woven into a compelling feature length movie. The film has yet to receive financing, but fresh off of the success Blum and Derrickson have had with "Sinister," and given Blum’s track record with horror movies (“Paranormal Activity 1-4,” “Insidious”) we can’t see that remaining the case for long.
I was recently speaking with a dear friend of mine who apparently does work on Scott Derrickson mothers home, and he suggested that since I am a playwright that I should make a connection with this gifted artist Scott Derrickson. I not only would be honored but also blessed to meet such an individual as Scott Derrickson. I recently wrote a play entitled " Women Of Virtue " that I would love to discuss with Mr. Derrickson.
Much Success, Kevin Rawlins/720-621-9226
I guess they just wanted to adapt that final story, but it's a risky move… The breathing method is the shortest story from Different season and although I liked it, it's quite "action free" and mostly rely on it's final twist. Would make a good short film or TV episode indeed, but I fear they'll inflate it to somehow to end-up with a feature film (like with many of King's short stories before).
Not sure how high it is percentage-wise, but off the top of my head I can think of . . . 19. And I'm probably missing 8-12. So it's not exactly a new thing, but considering some of the classics that have come out of his work, it's always interesting.
Whoa, he looks just like Ethan Hawke in Sinister.