A 1997Stephen Kingshort story based on anAlfred Hitchcock Presentsepisode directed by the horror filmmaker is being adapted into a feature film. King has often pulled from various media in crafting his scariest, most memorable stories, often citing horror novelist H.P. Lovecraft as one of his most influential inspirations.King’s best storiesreflect what influences him, focusing on dark stories that are both realistic and supernatural. However, he’s also pulled inspiration from other sources across the horror genre, with Hitchcock’s influence palpable in the many dark stories across the writer’s decades-long career.
Now,DeadlinereportsKing’s 1997 short story “Autopsy Room Four” is getting a feature film adaptationfrom writer and director Ranjeet S. Marwa and producer Jon Levin. Appearing in the short story collectionEverything’s Eventual, the story follows a man who wakes up to discover he’s been trapped in an autopsy room. The story pulls inspiration from theAlfred Hitchcock Presentsepisode “Breakdown,” which was also directed by the famous horror filmmaker. Producer Levin previously served as executive producer on Netflix’s adaptation of King’sIn the Tall Grass, while director Marwa specializes in low-budget movies and short films.
“Breakdown” itself is based on a 1947 short story of the same name by Louis Pollock.
What A Feature Film Adaptation Means For Autopsy Room Four
This Isn’t The First Time King’s Short Story Has Been Adapted
“Autopsy Room Four” follows the story of Howard Cottrell, a man who realizes he’s been paralyzed by a snake bite and is now on an autopsy table, having to prove that he’s still alive.The story mirrors “Breakdown,” which has a similar premise, with the main character, William Callew (Joseph Cotten), getting into a car crash and needing to prove he’s alive while on the autopsy table.King’s story was adaptedpreviously, both as a short film in 2003, and in 2006’s anthology seriesNightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King, where Howard was played by Richard Thomas.
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The upcoming film adaptation will likely include more details not present in the short story nor the TV episode, emphasizing the horror of Howard not being able to tell morticians he’s still alive. The dark story comes after some recent King adaptation announcements, includingThe Life of Chuck’s release dateand confirmation of aCarrieTV show. However, “Autopsy Room Four” has a unique Hitchcock connection that makes it ripe for the big screen, potentially influenced by “Breakdown” in style and presentation when it arrives.
Our Take On Stephen King’s New Autopsy Room Four Adaptation
The New Rendition Might Differ From The Previous Versions
While the upcomingAutopsy Room Fourmovie will no doubt retain the premise of the original short story, its expanded runtime could result in deeper exploration and terror involved in the situation. This means it could pull inspiration from “Breakdown” as well, whether through its style or by including story elements that differ fromKing’s original story. With the new adaptation now confirmed, it seems the short story is going to be an important addition to the many adaptations for King currently in the works.
Source:Deadline
Stephen King
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