Frank Darabont & The Long Walk

I don't know why, but I've been thinking about director Frank Darabont, who is most notable for his direction and writing of The Shawshank Redemption, one of three Stephen King work's he's adapted (additionally The Green Mile, and The Mist).

Darabont seems like one of those guys who hangs around Hollywood helping buddies like Steven Spielberg work on their scripts.

But Darabont's work seems kind of slow in coming out, and it just seems to me like this year could benefit from a good Darabont film.

I've heard of a few that are in the work, but one that interest me is The Long Walk.

Now don't confuse this novel, The Long Walk, with the the novel/memoir that Peter Weir has directed, The Way Home, based on a book called The Long Walk.

This book, is one of a handful of Stephen King novels that was written under the pseudonym Richard Backman. This novel, first published in 1979.

This story takes place in the near future with a "sport" that involves 100 boys entering a unique and undefined contest where they are forced to walk at 4 mph or else face serious consequences.
It's reminds me of one of the dance-off's featured in They Shoot Horses, Don't They? except the consequences are far worse.

Darabont has had the writes to this project for at least a few years now, but this doesn't appear on anyone's front burner.

Instead Darabont's name most recently is associated with The Walking Dead. This AMC TV show premiers later this year, and has Darabont named as show creator, and writer/director of the pilot. Not a zombie fan myself, I'm not jumping to make sure I catch the early episodes, it's projects like The Long Walk I'm watching for.