Alex Ross Perry to Direct Adaptation of Stephen King’s ‘The Dark Half’ for MGM

“Her Smell” filmmaker will also write the screenplay

Alex Ross Perry
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Alex Ross Perry (“Her Smell”) will write and direct the adaptation of Stephen King’s best-seller “The Dark Half” for MGM, an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.

The story had been previously turned into a 1993 MGM film, which starred Timothy Hutton. It followed an author whose crime thrillers under a pseudonym sold better than the books written with his real name. Once his pseudonym is exposed, he decides to give his other ego a burial, but things start turning sinister as the alter ego has taken on a life of its own.

King wrote the book based on his own experiences when it was revealed he was writing thriller novels under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. Those novels included “Thinner,” “Running Man,” “Rage” and “The Long Walk.”

Perry most recently directed, produced and wrote the screenplay for “Her Smell,” starring Elisabeth Moss. His other recent credits include “Nostalgia,” “Golden Exits” and “Christopher Robin.”

An adaptation of King’s “Doctor Sleep” hit theaters last month. “The Outsider” limited theaters will hit theaters in January, while “The Stand” and “The Institute” are all projects in development.

Perry is represented by WME and Mosaic. King is represented by Paradigm.

Deadline first reported the news.

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