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Stephen King novella Hearts In Atlantis to get big screen adaptation

The author has given his personal approval to the project

Jacob Stolworthy
Wednesday 21 September 2016 10:55 EDT
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It's a wonder the works of Stephen King hasn't been exhausted considering how many film adaptations exist.

Still, it's rare that one of his properties is revisited when it's already been adapted - but that's exactly what's happening with upcoming film Hearts which will serve as a fresh take on King's novella Hearts In Atlantis.

The collection - released in 1999 - is comprised of two novellas and three short stories; the film will focus on the titular tale which follows a group of college boys who experience their first time away from home in 1966.

British director Johannes Roberts will oversee the project that's been adapted alongside writing partner Ernest Riera; the two previously worked together on horror The Other Side of the Door.

Roberts said: “As a teenager, discovering Stephen King’s books and their cinematic counterparts was what led me to want to become a filmmaker. [This] story is my favourite piece of King’s writing. Turning this story into a movie had been a lifelong dream.”

While named Hearts in Atlantis, the novella's 2001 adaptation - which starred Anthony Hopkins and Anton Yelchin - focused on the collection's other stories Low Men in Yellow Coats and Heavenly Shades of Night Are Falling.

There's been something of a resurgence of King adaptations this past year: Cell - which starred John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson - received a recent on-demand release while The Dark Tower is currently being filmed with Matthew McConaiughey and Idris Elba in the lead roles. A new version of It is currently filming (see the new Pennywise here).

Cell - Official Trailer

Other King novellas to have received big screen adaptations include Stand By Me and The Shawshank Redemption.

Today (21 September) is King's 69th birthday.

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