More details about Hulu’s ‘Castle Rock’ Stephen King series
By Wade Wainio
Although Hulu’s Castle Rock is still mysterious, a few more details have been unveiled, thanks to a recent discussion panel.
Speaking at the 2018 ATX Television Festival in Austin, Texas, Castle Rock creators Sam Shaw and Dustin Thomason revealed a few fun details about the upcoming show.
For example, when Melanie Lynskey was cast, fellow actress Allison Tolman tweeted congratulations, adding that she’d like to play Lynskey’s sister. Incredibly, Thomason and Shaw took notice and cast her in exactly that role!
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The other actors include André Holland, Sissy Spacek, Bill Skarsgård, Frank L. Ridley, Scott Glenn, Terry O’Quinn and Chosen Jacobs.
The Story and Easter Eggs
In terms of story, Thomason and Shaw wish to include Stephen King “Easter eggs.” However, they feel they should have meaning, lest they are distracting.
In other words, there are efforts to make everything tie in together, and not just have some empty nods at King fans. It may be a smart way to convert those unfamiliar with King’s horror universe. Obviously, a story could become cluttered and confusing if elements are randomly stitched together.
During the ATX Television Festival Q&A, it was mentioned that season two wouldn’t tie in directly with season one, and may have an entirely new cast. In many ways it’s a sensible strategy, as it could finalize each individual season, letting it stand on its own.
It could also avoid story continuity problems, which can creep into any show or film franchise.
Castle Rock – Guided by King Himself
When Shaw and Thomason say they want King’s approval, it’s apparent that they mean it. In the past, Stephen King has criticized adaptations of his works.
A prominent example would be Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, which King has criticized rather sharply. He’s said, among other things, that Kubrick’s The Shining is “a big, beautiful Cadillac with no engine inside it,” and characterized Shelly Duvall’s character Wendy as a “screaming dishrag.”
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In other words, if there’s something King doesn’t like, he’ll let people know.
Castle Rock is set to premiere on July 25, 2018, with 10 episodes. How about you? Where do you think Castle Rock will take us? Let us know in the comments!