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Warner Bros is Choosing Ben Affleck for 'The Stand' Instead of Yates

by Alex Billington
October 24, 2011
Source: Deadline

Just a few months ago we wrote that screenwriter Steve Kloves and director David Yates were reteaming for a feature adaptation of Stephen King's massive post-apocalyptic novel The Stand. We now have an update on the project in development at Warner Bros/CBS Films, as Deadline says that they've actually "chosen" actor-turned-filmmaker Ben Affleck to direct The Stand movie, not Yates. Affleck is currently filming his hostage crisis film Argo for the studio. Deadline says WB "loves Affleck" and is their choice. I wonder if he has gotten word from the studio yet, as that's how fast this kind of news gets around Hollywood. Read on!

King's The Stand is a story of good vs evil after a virus wipes out most of the American population. While it features dozens of characters, like the Trashcan Man, Rat Man and Mother Abigail, as well as overlapping story lines running over many years, the primary struggle comes down to a group of survivors fighting the Antichrist-like Randall Flagg. The book was re-released in an extended & revised form in 1990 and was adapted once before as a 6-hour miniseries on ABC in the mid-90s. If this all comes together, it should be an interesting and challenging career choice for Affleck, whose filmography as a director includes Gone Baby Gone and The Town. This will be quite an undertaking for anyone, but word is Stephen King will be involved with this project in the works as a co-production at Warner Bros & CBS Films. Is Affleck a good choice?

Filed under Development, Movie News, Opinions

From around the web:

http://twitter.com/BrianRicci Brian Ricci

Before everyone jumps on this and starts talking shit (I just saw it on facebook) I want to say that Ben Affleck is a good director. A lot of people think he's a terrible actor but that has nothing to do with his directing skills. The Town and Gone Baby Gone were great. I'm excited to see what he does with this.
Crockett

Gone Baby Gone was great but I find The Town just decent with Renner's performance being the saving grace and I'm not a fan of Affleck as an actor. We'll see if he does accept this, I feel like it's too early for him to tackle on a project this big in his directing career. Just my thoughts.
Into The Blue

This is the not fucking around crew so get me something that looks like a print because this not fucking around thing is about to go both ways. I hope....
http://www.andreascliment.com Andreas Climent

I think this is great news. Affleck is a very good director and could bring something new to the story. The Stand is one of my favorite books too so I'm a bit divided on wether they should make a movie out of it, but at least with Affleck this could be pretty cool.
Craig

I liked Gone Baby Gone, but found The Town rather boring. The idea of him directing doesn't bother me too bad, but I hope he that's as far as he goes. I don't want him starring in the movie, too. Ben Affleck as Stu Redman -- hell no.
Xerxexx

Aw, I would have loved Yates' version of te film...but Affleck will do just fine.
Musicman

Yates would've made it epic, but I'd be interested in seeing Affleck do it.
MP

At least it will finally make it to the big screen like it deserves.
Bruno Santos

Vader style.... "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!" heheheheheh
Payne by name

Affleck is an excellent director and a decent screen holding actor (I mean come on is Matt Damon any better?). I think this is an excellent pair of hands to put the film in. He has a deftness of touch able to mix the heartfelt melancholy with pulse pounding action when he wants it. Go for it Ben, I've got your back.