For those unfamiliar with the works, The Long Walk is about a 16-year-old boy who is on a survival walk with 99 others. They walk for honor and their lives with the winner being promised everything his or her heart desires. “The Monkey” couldn’t be more different; as Darabont says, it’s “gentle and old-fashioned Steve King storytelling” that revolves around a father-son relationship and a toy monkey whose clanging symbols are harbingers of death.
No word yet on any of the particulars of either film other than Darabont’s promise they will be “low budget,” which sounds encouraging. Usually with King’s writings, the less studio meddling, the better. In the meantime mark November 21st on your calendars; that’s the day The Mist starring Thomas Jane opens nationwide. From what we’ve seen so far, this one looks like finally someone got it right.