Though he has had some works outside the genre,Stephen Kingis best known as a horror author. As such, many of his books and their respective film or TV adaptations are understandably gory and intense. Some of the most iconic sequences forKing adaptationsare the most bloodsoaked moments, including the bucket of blood inCarrie’s prom, or the blood elevator inThe Shining. It is not just gore that creates King’s most fearsome moments, but the brutality of storylines is nonetheless notable.
King’s works have been adapted for the screen for just about as long as he has been writing novels. Most recently, his storyThe Life of Chuckwas adapted for the screen by Mike Flanagan that premiered at TIFF. There is anonslaught of upcoming King-basedmovies and shows over the coming few years, including movies forThe Running ManandThe Long Walk. A TV series calledIT: Welcome to Derryis also in development from HBO, seeing Bill Skarsgård return to his Pennywise role. Now, another upcoming King adaptation is intense enough that TV networks are refusing to promote the film.
Multiple Networks Have Refused To Show The Monkey Teasers
The Monkey’s Violence Was Too Much For Them
Multiple TV networks have refused to show promos forThe Monkey. The Osgood Perkins-directed movie follows the story of twin brothers named Bill and Hal, who find their father’s old toy monkey in the attic only to witness a series of gruesome deaths, and decide to dispose of the monkey.The Monkeyfeatures a talented leading castincluding Adam Scott, Theo James, Elijah Wood, Tatiana Maslany, and Perkins himself. The film is set for theatrical release on February 21.
Now, NEON has revealed thatseveral TV networks have refused to show promos forThe Monkey. NEON provides pictures of email exchanges with four different, unnamed networks. The networks cited “excessive violence” as a reason whyThe Monkeyspots could not be shown on TV. One network said that the movie would be “not suitable for our audiences, even with restrictions.” Another network said that “the film/creative is too violent to air.” Check out these responses below:
Our Take On The Monkey’s Network TV Rejection
This Press May Help The Monkey
Publicizing these network rejections is a great marketing strategy forThe Monkey. While its graphic and bloody content may put off some TV networks, die-hard horror fans will likely be more excited to hear just how violent and intense the film is. A similar promotional strategy worked forTerrifier 3, which prided itself on its excessive blood and gore, and then ended up doing well at the box office. AsThe Monkeyreleases towards the end of next month, it will be interesting to see how audiences respond to the King adaptation’s violence.
