The Breathing Method: The Stephen King Adaptation That Never Came to Be

Back in 2012, there was talk of a Stephen King film adaptation called The Breathing Method, but it has yet to come to fruition. The director attached to the project was Scott Derrickson, who recently found success adapting a short story by King's son, Joe Hill, in The Black Phone. The Breathing Method was set to bring to life a bizarre story from King's 1982 collection, Different Seasons.

The tale follows a woman in the 1930s who, in a desperate attempt to protect her unborn child conceived through infidelity, utilizes a unique 'breathing method' during childbirth. This method allows the baby's lungs to continue breathing even after the woman tragically loses her head in a car accident.Recently, CinemaBlend had a chat with Derrickson, who has been making waves in the horror genre with his segment Dreamkill in the anthology film V/H/S/85.

The Black Phone director shared a disappointing update on the long-gestating horror project based on Stephen King's novella. Derrickson expressed uncertainty about the current status of the film, stating, "I don't know where the rights are now. I don't even know if the film is still in development.

Scott Teems and I wrote a script, which was a very innovative and faithful adaptation, but unfortunately, nothing came of it in the end."The announcement of The Breathing Method came in 2012, hot on the heels of Derrickson's success with the horror hit Sinister, which raked in over $90 million at the box office. Despite the initial buzz surrounding the project, it seems to have fallen by the wayside, leaving fans wondering if they will ever get to see King's eerie tale brought to life on the big screen.

Derrickson's involvement in the film was highly anticipated, given his track record in the horror genre, but with the project's future now uncertain, it remains to be seen if The Breathing Method will ever see the light of day.While Derrickson's focus has shifted to other projects since his involvement in The Breathing Method, fans of Stephen King's work had been eagerly awaiting this adaptation. The novella's unique premise and chilling atmosphere made it a promising candidate for a film adaptation, and Derrickson's reputation as a horror maestro only added to the anticipation surrounding the project.

However, as time has passed without any concrete updates on the film's progress, it appears that The Breathing Method may have stalled in development hell.In the realm of horror cinema, Stephen King's works have long been a source of inspiration for filmmakers, with numerous adaptations bringing his iconic stories to life on the big screen. From classics like The Shining and Carrie to recent hits like IT and Doctor Sleep, King's tales of terror have captivated audiences for decades.

The Breathing Method was poised to join the ranks of these esteemed adaptations, offering a unique and chilling story that would undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on viewers.Despite the setbacks and uncertainties surrounding The Breathing Method, fans of Stephen King and Scott Derrickson remain hopeful that the project will eventually come to fruition. The tantalizing premise of the novella, coupled with Derrickson's proven talent for crafting atmospheric and unsettling horror films, make The Breathing Method a project worth keeping an eye on.

As the film industry continues to evolve and adapt to changing tastes and trends, there may yet be a chance for The Breathing Method to find its way back into development and onto the big screen for audiences to experience the chilling tale in all its eerie glory.