Word has come down the wire via Deadline Hollywood that Stephen King is once again teaming with Media Rights Capital for an adaptation of the author's bestselling novel THE OUTSIDER. MRC, who helped bring King's THE DARK TOWER to screens, plans to create a 10-episode limited series based on the Outsider property with Richard Price set to pen the adaptation. Jack Bender and Marty Bowen, whose combined forces brought King fans the critically-acclaimed MR. MERCEDES series will executive produce with MRC. In addition to his position as a producer on the upcoming project, Bender is also a possible director for the pilot of the new show. As for King, he will have the opportunity to join the project as an executive producer.
According to Deadline, THE OUTSIDER is an is-he or isn’t-he an innocent man accused of a horrible crime story, much like the tale of Andy Dufresne in the Frank Darabont-directed crime drama THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION. In regard to THE OUTSIDER, the main character is Terry Maitland, one of Flint City’s most storied citizens. A Little League coach, English teacher, husband, and father of two girls, Maitland is arrested in front of everyone and charged with the grotesque murder of an 11-year old. Even though Maitland has an iron clad alibi — he was at a conference and seen by witnesses, his DNA was found at the murder scene along with fingerprints.
In recent times, King's MR. MERCEDES was picked up for a second season at Audience Network. The show tells the story of a psychopathic killer who drives a stolen Mercedes into a crowd and a recently retired detective who tries to bring him down. In addition to television adaptations of King's work, it's recently been confirmed that Isaiah Mustafa will star as the adult version of Mike Hanlon in Andy Muschietti's IT: CHAPTER 2. Pennywise the Dancing Clown will return to terrorize the town of Derry, Maine of September 6, 2019.
Have you read THE OUTSIDER? Do you think it will make for a solid 10-episode series? Are there any Stephen King stories left on this planet that you'd like to see get some manner of film or TV adaptation? If so, let us know in the comments section below.