It has been a long time sinceThe Walking DeaddirectorFrank Darabontgraced the television sphere with his presence, but the filmmaker will now addStranger Thingsto his credits. After a decade of retirement, he will return to television to direct episodes of the highly anticipated final season. Darabont became wildly appreciated for his adaptations ofStephen Kingclassics such asThe Shawshank Redemptionbut landed a legal battle regarding AMC’s post-apocalyptic zombie favorite.
Darabont adaptedThe Walking DeadfromRobert Kirkman’s graphic novel, though only ran the first season. AMC firedThe Green Miledirector in 2011, not allowing him to fulfill his vision ofThe Walking Deaduniverse. This resulted in a bitter legal battle with the network when Darabont sued AMC in 2013 for his share of the profits. Since that time, studios declined to work with him, leaving a decade gap in his resume. But as he tellsThe Daily Beast,Stranger Thingswas the magic recipe that encouraged him to return to directing.
“What really dragged me out of retirement was that my wife and I really love this show. Our content now is so filled with horrible people doing horrible things for greedy reasons but Stranger Things has so much heart. That positivity is something I really responded to.”
There may be some subtext to this statement.The Walking Deadis at the pinnacle of those shows featuring horrible people, and it could be argued that he was fired due to greed. But he is right about one thing.Stranger Thingsis the outlier in the current television landscape.
Frank Darabont Will Add His Flair ‘Stranger Things’
Darabont told the outlet that he isn’t sure if the final season of the Netflix series will mark his official return to directing. However, it will be a big draw when fans say goodbye to Eleven (Millie Bobbie Brown), Hop (David Harbour), and the rest of the Hawkins gang. Not only is Darabont an icon in the industry, but he has proven experience with his material.
Stranger Thingsis famously a love letter to many of the hallmarks of the King of Horror’s writing. Similar to stories likeThe BodyandIt, the series follows a ragtag group of kids fighting supernatural forces in their small town – Stephen King at his best. Darabont was once thedefinitive director envisioning King booksfor the big screen beforeMike Flanagantook up the mantle. Darabont’s spin on theStranger Thingsuniverse will be welcome when the final season airs on Netflix.
Stranger Things
In 1980s Indiana, a group of young friends witness supernatural forces and secret government exploits. As they search for answers, the children unravel a series of extraordinary mysteries.
