The adage “let sleeping dogs lie” goes double for ones with rabies. Undeterred by this, Netflix has signed a deal to adapt Stephen King’s best-selling horror novel “Cujo.” Probably because of the other, newer, saying “hail to the king, baby.”
King’s 1981 novel follows the plight of Donna Trenton, played in the 1983 film adaptation by Dee Wallace. While her husband is in New York, Donna and her young son Tad the families’ ailing Pinto to Joe Cambers’ garage for repairs. Unbeknownst to them, the Cambers’ once-friendly St. Bernard, Cujo, has been bitten by a rabid bat. The infection has turned the beloved 200-lbs dog into a bloodthirsty killing machine. This leaves Donna and Tad trapped between the sweltering car and the dog’s murderous rage.
Roy Lee is already attached to produce, and the streamer is putting out the call for writers. This will be the 5th time Netflix has adapted King’s novels, joining “In The Tall Grass,” “Mr. Harrigan’s Phone,” “1922,” and “Gerald’s Game.”
More Than Just “Cujo“
Not to mention all of the other recent/in-the-works adaptations of his writing, with Osgood Perkins “The Monkey” hitting theaters. Francis Lawrence is set to adapt “The Long Walk,” and Edgar Wright is directing a new adaptation of “The Running Man” starring Glen Powell. For series, Andy Muschietti is directing the “IT” prequel series “Welcome to Derry,” Jack Bender will adapt“The Institute,” and Mike Flanagan is directing a 4th adaptation of “Carrie.” Flannagan also took on the King story “The Life of Chuck” last year and is currently working on “The Dark Tower” as well, we just aren’t sure what form that will take just yet.
We’ll keep you posted on updates about Netflix’s “Cujo” as the project develops. As well as the various other King adaptations.
