Another terrifying Stephen King tale is coming to the big screen, and there are already a ton of exciting updates about it. The Monkey. Based on the short story of the same name originally published in 1980, The Monkey concerns two brothers who discover a mysterious monkey toy that plays cymbals in their attic. Unfortunately for the unsuspecting brothers, someone close to them dies every time the mechanical ape touches their cymbals. Imitating classic stories like The monkey's pawKing's underrated story is one of his few works that has yet to be shown on screen.
As the iconic King of Horror's career moves into its sixth decade, the Maine-based wordsmith's popularity apparently hasn't faded. Films based on the works of Stephen King continue to be box office hits, and although King has had his fair share of missteps, his books, novels, and short stories have proven to be a near-endless wellspring for Hollywood. Now, one of King's most understated works is finally getting the adaptation treatment, and it has some big names in the cast that will certainly help make it The Monkey another big hit from Stephen King.
Stephen King's Monkey Latest News
Oz Perkins premieres an exclusive clip from the film
Like a devilish gift, Neon released an exclusive clip of The Monkey on December 25, 2024. The scene is presented by director Oz Perkins, and follows a woman who is woken up in the middle of the night by a noise. Armed with her trusty pistol, she goes down to investigate, which leads her to the basement. A brief glimpse of the titular monkey is seen before the light goes outand she falls on a faulty step. Before the unfortunate character dies prematurely, Perkins stops the clip and invites viewers to watch the film in February.
Stephen King's Monkey Release Date
The adaptation arrives in 2025
the winter 2025 release date suggests it's not being marketed as a big summer blockbuster like previous Stephen King films have been.
With the highly anticipated Stephen King film already in production, it didn't take long for a release date to be announced. The Monkey. The Oz Perkins film is already scheduled to hit theaters in February 21, 2025and will likely get a wide release considering the overwhelming popularity of King and his adaptations. However, the winter 2025 release date suggests it's not being marketed as a big summer blockbuster like previous Stephen King films have been.
Cast of Stephen King's The Monkey
Theo James leads alongside Elijah Wood and Tatiana Maslany
Although the entire cast is known, only a few roles have been announced for The Monkey until now. The main roles will be played by Theo James who is expanding his reach as twin brothers Hal and Bill. The star-studded ensemble grew in early 2024 with the addition of Elija Wood in an unnamed role opposite Tatiana Maslany from She-Hulk fame who also plays a mysterious character. Although the ensemble has been announced, Stephen King is also expected to make a cameo, although his role will likely be quite small.
The known cast The Monkey includes:
|
Actor |
The role of the monkey |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Theo James |
Hal/Bill |
|
|
Christian Conversion |
Young Hal/Bill |
|
|
Tatiana Maslany |
Unknown |
|
|
Elias Madeira |
Unknown |
|
|
Colin O'Brien |
Unknown |
|
|
Rohan Campbell |
Unknown |
|
|
Sarah Levy |
Unknown |
|
Stephen King's Monkey Story
How closely will the film follow the short story?
As no information was provided that contradicts the theory, it is assumed that the film will closely follow Stephen King's short story. Considering King's way with words, the rather simple premise is subverted with strong interpersonal drama and supernatural horror, which should happen in Oz Perkins' film. The Monkey follows twin brothers Hal and Bill who discover a mysterious monkey toy that plays cymbals in the family's attic. Soon, they learn that the toy actually causes the death of a loved one every time it is touched.
Like many of King's stories, the structure is just a jumping off point for broader themes, and The MonkeyThe similarity of The Monkey's Paw to classic tales like The Monkey's Paw is no coincidence. Theo James' turn as the twins will put the young actor to the ultimate test, as he must play two brothers who are at odds. This conflict is the true heart of the story, and Hal must find a way to get along with Bill to prevent even more supernatural chaos. The Monkey.
Trailer for Stephen King's The Monkey
Watch the trailers below
Although the film is not expected to premiere until 2025, a teaser trailer for The Monkey was dropped in August 2024, which serves to heighten the dread of the upcoming Stephen King adaptation. In the space of just 44 seconds, the teaser shows the scary monkey drumming as the camera zooms in with distorted carnival music playing beneath the scene. Finally, the teaser ends with a shot of Theo James' Hall or Bill taking off his glasses in shock after being doused in blood.
After the first teaser dropped some ominous hints, a long provocation trailer for The Monkey arrived in October 2024. With a rollicking beat, the macabre, blood-soaked trailer highlights just a few of the gruesome deaths that will occur throughout the film. Also featured in the clip is director Oz Perkins' unique style, and the symmetrical camera work is in direct conflict with a world that is clearly going mad.