Y’know what? I really hope Stephen King keeps going forever – and I’m sure Hollywood studios feel exactly the same way, with news that Autopsy Room 4 is set to be the latest big screen adaptation.
According to reports, director Ranjeet S. Marwa and veteran Hollywood executive Jon Levin are behind the project; a feature film all about someone’s worst nightmare of waking up paralysed, unable to communicate and… on an autopsy table.
That’s exactly what happens to the story’s main character Howard Cottrell, who is mistaken for dead after being left in a catatonic state thanks to a snake bite. The medical examiners are preparing their tools, and his mind is racing trying to think of how to communicate the fact he’s still alive.
As you can imagine, it’s quite an intense read. Will they cut into him and discover too late that, actually, dude is still alive? Or will they eventually see a sign of life and stop the process before the worst happens?
Well, King being my favourite author, I already know the answer… but I won’t spoil it for you. The story first came out in 1997 when it was published in King’s limited-edition collection Six Stories. Shortly after, it featured in the anthology Robert Bloch’s Psychos, and was also published in King’s short story collection Everything’s Eventual in 2002.
I’m not sure how I feel about this one being adapted for the screen. Namely because it’s quite a lot of time to fill, and I’m not sure how it’ll translate.
What do you think of the latest news about Autopsy Room 4? Have you read it? Comment below to join the conversation.
