Hulu is very much in the King family business these days. After a successful adaptation a few years back of Stephen King‘s 11.22.63*, the popular streaming service is all about continuing that relationship with “Castle Rock” and “Locke & Key“. For fans of King and his son, writer Joe Hill, this news couldn’t be sweeter.
Earlier this year, it was announced that the iconic novelist was collaborating again with super producer J.J. Abrams, this time on an original series. The show, the aforementioned “Castle Rock“, will be set within the titular town and occasionally involve the events and characters of King’s popular works. The series will begin production in August and has recently been . Thus far, the roster includes Melanie Lynskey (“Two and a Half Men“), Jane Levy (Don’t Breathe), Michael Uppendahl (Fargo), and Andre Holland (American Horror Story), as well as King adaptation alumni Sissy Spacek (Carrie) and Bill Skarsgard (It). No premiere date has been announced as of yet.
Moving on to “Locke & Key“, the adaptation of Joe Hill’s horror-fantasy comic (pictured above) has recently seen a bit of a shake-up. It seems that director Scott Derrickson (Doctor Strange) has overbooked himself and will no longer be able to film multiple episodes of the series, including the pilot. That’s the bad news. The good news is that his replacement is one that should still excite King fans, based on recent trailer reactions to his latest feature. None other than It director Andy Muschietti has come on board the project to tackle both the pilot and a few additional episodes. Given that Muschietti’s next feature is supposed to be the second half of his It adaptation, it seems he’ll be living in the realm of King & Hill for quite awhile.
As with “Castle Rock“, “Locke & Key” currently lacks a premiere date. Both shows are expected to arrive on Hulu sometime in 2018. More as it comes.
* – Which this writer FINALLY just watched and enjoyed.
