ABC Feels Stephen King's "Desperation"

ABC has given in to "Desperation," picking up a three-hour adaptation of the apocalyptic Stephen King novel.  King, who is currently recovering from a serious case of pneumonia, has already written the screenplay. "Desperation" is the latest in a string of King projects at the Alphabet, including the upcoming midseason series "Kingdom Hospital." Mark Sennet ("K Street") will be the executive producer, while Mick Garris ("The Stand") will direct.

Based on King's 1996 book, "Desperation" follows the plight of a man who winds up in a bizarre mining town in Nevada (named Desperation, natch) after being pulled over by the strange local sheriff. The man eventually discovers that a mysterious force has killed the town's residents -- and that he must either kill this thing or escape.

Sennet said "Desperation" boasted "a whole different, early Stephen King feel to it."

"It's one of those core, scarier-than-hell Stephen King novels," he said. "It's the antithesis of 'The Shawshank Redemption' or 'The Green Mile.' It's bizarre, scary humor and has great characters in it."

The movie was originally been optioned as a movie feature by New Line. Sennet said he hopes to begin production in March or April. Garris must first complete his helming duties on the adaptation of another King project, a feature take on the novelist's ebook "Riding the Bullet."

Source: Variety