The latest promo for the CBS All Access adaptation of Stephen King’s The Stand comes at the height of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Some would say this mini-series will premiere at the worst time possible when it starts streaming next month. Some would say the timing is perfect, with a nation ready to watch an epic story of a plague that decimates society and the good and bad people who rise from the ashes.
Me, I don’t know if the release date is opportune or terrible. But, Christ, I want to see this thing so bad. I have made no secret of my adoration of King or this book and this new take on the story is looking more and more promising.
The latest trailer doesn’t feature as many “wow” moments as the last one but it does give us a lot more of Alexander Skarsgård as King’s ultimate baddie, Randall Flagg. I am still intrigued by what I see from Skarsgård, though I want to see some of his more quiet moments. Flagg isn’t all about being loud and boisterous. Indeed, his most memorable side is his soft-spoken-but-terrifying side. I can’t wait to see how Skarsgård portrays that.
The trailer also gives us glimpses of the world after the plague, with Mother Abagail’s God Squad planning their next steps and attempting to make their stand. There is a line in the new trailer which is obviously lead character Frannie referencing a major plot point. There is also a shot of Stu Redman laying on the ground, shaking hands with one of his friends. Fans of the book know what’s going on there.
Oh, there is also a bad ass shot of Greg Kinnear as Glen Bateman smoking on a vape pen! Glen, you dirty dog! Wow, they really have modernized this thing.
The Stand still has a lot to prove and reveal, like how the altered time structure will work and who the hell is playing the Trash Can Man (I hear it’s Ezra Miller. Seriously.) but everything we are seeing from this has been getting my hopes up. It feels appropriately sprawling, it looks slick and my suspicion is that it’s in good hands. I can’t wait for the first episode to hit CBS All Access on December 17 so I can see for myself.