2/14/16

Stephen King Returns with 11.22.63

I was not a fan of CBS's Under The Dome, the television series based on the Stephen King book of the same name.  While it started out well enough, it soon degenerated into a poorly-acted, silly mix of teen angst and unbelievable murder that may or may not have been what King desired.  Since I never read the book, it is possible that CBS did him a disservice.  

So are we to trust the roll-out of the last television series based on a King book?  I suppose it depends on the book.  This time it is King's popular President Kennedy assassination thriller 11.22.63.  Hulu decided to take on the task this time in an eight-part series, and was able to grab James Franco for the lead role.  Both of these are good signs - a clear ending and a real actor.  

In addition, J.J. Abrams is the executive producer, finding time away from Star Wars and Star Trek to assist with this project.  What is interesting is that James Franco was cast for the role after a he wrote a review of King's story noting how he wanted the rights to the story and criticizing Abrams for taking on the project.  Abrams read the review and decided to offer Franco the role. 

In selling the 11.22.63 series, Hulu asks "What if you could change the past?" and notes:

Imagine having the power to change history. Would you journey down the “rabbit hole”? This eight–part event series follows Jake Epping (James Franco), an ordinary high school teacher, who is presented with the unthinkable mission of traveling back in time to prevent the assassination of John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. Jake is willing to live in the past in order to solve perhaps the greatest mystery of the 20th century — who killed JFK, and could it have been stopped? As Jake tries to rewrite history, he discovers that the past does not want to be changed and will do anything to stop him.

Of course, if I could change the past I would have removed Under the Dome from my TV list so I could get those hours back.  I am hoping my time will be better spent with this series.  

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