'11.22.63' Trailer: For His Next Art Project, James Franco Will Travel Back In Time And Save John F. Kennedy
The pedigree behind the upcoming miniseries 11.22.63 is certainly intriguing. You have Hulu taking another huge step into the the world of original content (consider this a direct parry to Netflix's constant blows). You have source material from the great Stephen King, whose novel of the same name is the one of the most acclaimed he's written in years. You have J.J. Abrams on board as an executive producer. And then you have James Franco, that slippery wild card of a leading man, headlining an ensemble stuffed with interesting actors.
The first trailer for the nine-epiosde limited series has arrived and while it's only a minor tease, it's certainly going to turn a few heads. There are too many interesting parties involved to not dredge up interest.
Watch the 11.22.63 trailer after the jump.
Although this is not a typical Stephen King horror story, everything hangs on a high concept that is very much in his mold. Franco plays Jake Epping, a teacher living in modern-day Maine who discovers a door that transports him back in time to 1958. With his newfound power, Epping sets out to prevent the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. Along the way, he finds himself getting attached to his new time and, well, it's an 849-page book, so a lot happens.
The teaser is little more than an announcement: "This is coming out, this is when it's coming out, this is who it stars, and hey, Abrams and King! You like both of them, right?" But it's certainly a solid tease and well presented. We're in for the first episode, at least. Considering some of the competition out there, it certainly won't be the worst Stephen King adaptation in existence. Anyone who thinks that probably hasn't seen Maximum Overdrive.
This teaser arrives on the heels of the news that Matthew McConaughey is being sought to star in an adaptation of The Dark Tower and that Guillermo del Toro would love to adapt Pet Sematary. And then there's the matter of the proposed television adaptation of The Mist, which was previously adapted into a great little movie by Frank Darabont. Even with a prequel to The Shining in the works for some reason and the tragic cancellation of Cary Fukunaga's IT adaptation, it's a pretty good time to be a Stephen King fan.
All of 11.22.63 will drop on February 15, 2016. That's Presidents' Day. Oh, Hulu. We see what you did there, you cheeky bastards.