Overview
- Stephen King initially expressed doubts about the success of *Creepshow* due to its distinctive art style compared to mainstream preferences.
- Despite these concerns, *Creepshow* proved to be a box office success for Warner Bros, earning impressive revenue.
- King has recently praised a horror film set for release in 2025, indicating his longing for the cinema experience, while Netflix prepares to adapt *Cujo*.
It may come as a surprise that a literary icon like Stephen King ever harbored doubts about his craft. However, during the creation of his first screenplay for the 1982 horror-comedy anthology, *Creepshow*, he openly questioned whether critics would respond positively. This reflects his unique humility, even after decades of success.
Regarded as a titan of the genre, King has captivated audiences for over 50 years. He began his journey in 1967 with the publication of his first short story and quickly rose to fame with his novel *Carrie* in 1974. With renowned works such as *The Shining*, *IT*, and *The Green Mile*, King has solidified his status as one of the most significant horror writers. His bibliography continues to expand, and adaptations of his stories for film and television have surged dramatically, underscoring his profound influence on contemporary culture, a trend that shows no signs of fading.
Stephen King’s Early Concerns About *Creepshow*
In a candid reflection during an interview reported by Far Out Magazine, King revealed that he feared *Creepshow* would not resonate with audiences. He anticipated negative reviews, attributing his concerns to a lack of familiarity among critics with the horror comic influences that shaped the film. Unlike many of his contemporaries who were immersed in superhero tales, King cherished the macabre narratives of 1950s EC Comics like *Tales from the Crypt*.
*Creepshow*, consisting of five eerie tales woven together by a skeletal character known as ‘The Creep’, was helmed by George Romero, the legendary director of *Night of the Living Dead*. The film featured performances by Hal Holbrook, Leslie Nielsen, and Adrienne Barbeau, as well as a cameo by King himself. Despite its unique approach, King feared the film’s tribute to classic horror comics would be lost on critics, who might overlook the film’s intended tone.
In his own words: “I think the critical drubbing it got might have driven some adults away. I expected bad reviews, of course, because *Creepshow* is based on the horror-comic-book traditions of the ’50s – not a send-up at all but a recreation. And if the mainstream critics had understood and appreciated that, I’d have known right off that we’d failed miserably in what we were trying to do.”
Fortunately for King and the late Romero, *Creepshow* blossomed into a phenomenal success for Warner Bros. The film grossed $5,870,889 during its opening weekend, securing the number one spot at the U.S. box office. Ultimately, it accumulated over $21 million across the United States and Canada, establishing itself as Warner Bros.’ highest-grossing horror film of 1982. Although *Creepshow* garnered a somewhat mixed reception on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 65% approval rating, many reviewers praised its vibrant aesthetics and humor.
In recent developments, King has shared his endorsement for an anticipated horror film set to release in 2025, expressing a desire to experience it on the big screen rather than through home viewing. Additionally, King’s expansive oeuvre continues to inspire adaptations, with Netflix gearing up to bring his 1981 novel *Cujo* to life as a feature film.
Source: Far Out Magazine