Cujo Screenplay

[Sweet One]

I've finally read the Cujo screenplay written by King himself.

It starts out (and ends) with a series of projector slides. The first shows a series of slides showing the Trenton's family moments shown by Victor.

The ones at the end are news reports showing what happened afterward. Both Tad and Bannerman survive in this version, and Bannerman is the one who kills Cujo. At the end, we learn that Bannerman is running for public office. The last slide is a smiling photo of Tad, with a doctor's report that he has been diagnosed with childhood leukemia, that although doctors are not optimistic, it is currently in remission. The last shot is a photo of Cujo's remains with a caption "The monster never dies."

This is not as satisfying an ending as I would have hoped, but it's better than the movie that got made, which basically saw the family reunited, and then that's it. There's no explanation as to how all this will effect their future. In King's version, we at least know would happened later on. I would have liked it better, if they actually had included scenes of Tad in the cancer ward and his parents there coping, or Bannerman making a campaign speech.

Truth be told, none of these versions (book, movie, screenplay) really "works" for me.

Also, in this version we actually get a glimpse of the monster in Tad's closet. It resembles a gigantic, red-eyed, drooling bat-creature, perhaps a manifestation of rabies. The supernatural elements of the novel seem to be basically intact here, unlike in the movie.

[Silhouette86]

I remember a lot of old movies that seem to end abruptly, the end popping up as the good guys defeated the bad guys and etc, etc. That's what Cujo reminded me of. Not to say that that is a bad thing. I liked the movie.

[Seb Shaw]

I'm sorry if I appear to be behind the times here, but does this mean Cujo is being remade? ... and the screenplay is by 'The King'? if so and if I have caught the right end o the stick then someone send out the invitations because its PAAAAAAARTY time !

I loved the book, it was just so different and really creepy (even for a dog lover like myself) The movie was alright, nothing special but as they say: ' Nope, nothing wrong here'....

[Seb Shaw]

Ms.mod Is there any truth to a remake of Cujo... or is it just wishful thinking?

[Moderator]

Sorry, no idea. Because Steve no longer holds the film rights, his permission is not necessary so we're not in the loop on any remakes.

[Seb Shaw]

Ms. Mod.... Just out of curiosity, if Mr.Ling no longer holds the film rights.... who does? and can someone purchase them if no one has the rights to them? Thanks

[Moderator]

Someone owns the rights because a film has been produced, but I have no idea who that is.