Weinstein slates third King adaptation

LOS ANGELES, Colo., Oct. 19 (UPI) -- Dimension Films co-chairman Bob Weinstein is such a fan of Stephen King's literary works that he has optioned a third to undergo a Hollywood transformation.

While Weinstein has already optioned the King's novel "Cell" and his short story "1408" for upcoming films, he recently added a Frank Darabont-helmed film production of King's novella "The Mist" to Dimension's filming schedule, said Daily Variety.

"I'm a fan of films like 'Saw,' 'Wolf Creek' and 'Hostel,' but when I started Dimension, Stephen King and his ability to create real character-based thrills in 'Misery,' 'Carrie' and 'The Shining' was an inspiration for the kind of films I wanted to make," Weinstein of his passion for the author's works. "This is a great opportunity to get one of those classic properties and to work with Frank, who handles Stephen's work so well."

Prior to signing onto next spring's production for "The Mist," the Daily Variety reported that Darabont found success with King film adaptations such as 1994's "The Shawshank Redemption" and "The Green Mile" in 1999.