The long-awaited Stephen King The Talisman adaptation at Netflix, helmed by the Duffer Brothers, is officially no longer progressing, as confirmed by the creative team. The project, which has faced several stalled attempts over four decades, marks another challenging chapter for Stephen King’s novel’s transition to screen.
The End of the Duffer Brothers’ Involvement in ‘The Talisman’
As anticipation builds for the final season of Stranger Things, the future projects of the Duffer Brothers, Ross and Matt, have been drawing extra attention. This week, they revealed that their adaptation of The Talisman, based on Stephen King and Peter Straub’s 1984 novel, will not proceed at Netflix. The brothers, known for their success with Stranger Things, had been attached to the Stephen King The Talisman adaptation since it was announced as a series in 2021.
During an interview with ComicBookResources, Ross Duffer confirmed the status of the project:
Sadly, ‘Talisman’ is no longer at Netflix, so we’re not involved,
— Ross Duffer, Co-Creator. Matt Duffer echoed the sentiment, reflecting on their initial hopes:
I remember I was, I think it was probably naive of us to think we could break ‘The Talisman.’
— Matt Duffer, Co-Creator.
This development halts the most recent and high-profile effort to bring The Talisman to the screen, reinforcing the notion that this particular story has a so-called “Hollywood curse.” Ross Duffer reflected on this long struggle:
When I interned, when I was really, you know, back in college at Kennedy Marshall, I remember reading, I think it was a movie script for Talisman. So it’s been in development forever, so I’m sorry that we were not the ones to break the curse.
— Ross Duffer, Co-Creator.
A Story That Has Eluded Hollywood
The Talisman tells the tale of Jack Sawyer, a young boy who embarks on an epic journey across an alternate, dangerous dimension to obtain the mystical talisman in hopes of saving his mother’s life and possibly rescuing two worlds in the process. The story’s mix of adventure and supernatural elements, authored by Stephen King and Peter Straub, has made it an alluring, yet elusive, target for screen adaptation since 1984.
“A young boy named Jack Sawyer and his sprawling quest through a monstrous alternate dimension to find the mystical title object that can cure his dying mother. He might just save two worlds in the process.”
— as described in original discussions of the plot.
Prior to the Duffer Brothers’ involvement, there have been several attempts to bring The Talisman to screens. One significant effort was led by Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment and The Kennedy/Marshall Company, who at one point hired director Mike Barker—known for work on Outlander and The Handmaid’s Tale—in 2019. Despite the assembled talent and persistent efforts, this version also stalled, eventually paving the way for the Netflix adaptation attempt.
The Ongoing Challenge for ‘The Talisman’ On Screen
The Duffer Brothers are no strangers to building franchises around the supernatural, and their Stranger Things series often pays homage to King’s work, referencing stories like IT and Firestarter. Their exit from The Talisman adaptation at Netflix is seen as a significant loss for fans hoping for a faithful vision led by creators clearly inspired by King’s storytelling style.
The announcement comes just as the Duffer Brothers prepare to launch the final season of Stranger Things, scheduled for release on New Year’s Eve. This marks a pivotal moment both for the duo’s creative direction and for Stephen King adaptations more broadly.
What Could Happen Next for ‘The Talisman’
With the Duffer Brothers stepping away, the fate of the Stephen King The Talisman adaptation remains open. Interest from major figures like Steven Spielberg and persistent industry buzz suggest there remains appetite for a new attempt to bring The Talisman to audiences, but the future of the project is now uncertain. The deep roots of the story’s struggles, cited both by the Duffer Brothers and in Hollywood lore, highlight the unique challenge of translating such expansive, genre-blending material from page to screen.
For now, attention shifts back to Stranger Things and to whatever new projects the Duffer Brothers may pursue post-finale. Meanwhile, the legacy of The Talisman’s journey through Hollywood remains a testament to the enduring complexity of adapting some of Stephen King’s most ambitious works.
