2024 has already been a year of crossovers and unexpected returns and it has only been 4 months since the year started. To add another wild return in 2024, The Shawshank Redemption star is making a comeback!
Although the news is very good for the people, the director’s choice for a comeback has been the point of an intense discussion. As per the reports and speculations, the director is allegedly returning to direct two episodes of Netflix’s Stranger Things Season 5!
The Shawshank Redemption Director Is Returning For Stranger Things!
Back in 1994, director Frank Darabont directed the iconic film The Shawshank Redemption which starred Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins in the lead roles. Based on Stephen King’s novella titled “Rita Haywire and Shawshank Redemption”, the film was about redemption, friendship, hope, and, trust.
Being one of the highest-rated movies on IMDB and getting nominated for seven Oscars, Frank Darabont found worldwide fame for his role as director of the film. After taking a break from Hollywood for several years, it is alleged that Darabont may return to direct two episodes of Netflix’s popular show Stranger Things.
‘The Shawshank Redemption’ director Frank Darabont will come out of retirement to direct 2 episodes of ‘STRANGER THINGS’ season 5.
(Source: @TheInSneider) pic.twitter.com/MfnURIOfsK
— Cinema Solace (@SolaceCinema) April 26, 2024
Although it might be good news for people, some fans are quite skeptical of Darabont and Netflix’s collaboration. With Stranger Things being a bit different than what Darabont is used to, fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to talk about how Stranger Things did not deserve The Shawshank Redemption director!
What a mid comeback for an absolute legend…. trash show
— MáD MàX (Furiosa Season) (@koreankraken) April 26, 2024
That’s too bad he picked such an overrated show to come back for, dude is a legend.
— Shane (@shaneconnlly44) April 26, 2024
Does this show deserve the legend?
— resrctor (@ArpVfx) April 26, 2024
On the other hand, there are also some people who are excited about the collaboration and wish Darabont and Stranger Things for future excellence.
Dude directed the first 2 seasons of the walking dead and brought it to TV in the first place, I’m excited for his episodes
— SaviourFade (@SaviourFade) April 26, 2024
Hell yeah!!
— Curtis Lee Carter (@Firestarterburn) April 26, 2024
let’s gooo!!! Frank Darabont is the goat!
— ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ ಠ_ಠ (@ZacharyMitzel) April 26, 2024
On the other hand, Frank Darabont didn’t exactly take a break from Hollywood. The sad story behind Darabon’t career is both shocking and horrible. With unmade films, no funding, and a dream to create films, here’s the real reason why Darabont had to take a break from Hollywood.
Why Frank Darabont Took A Break From Hollywood!
Directing The Shawshank Redemption was only the second big project that director Frank Darabont had on his hands. Although the film was a box office failure at the time of its release, The Shawshank Redemption was nominated for seven Oscars and was the most rented movie in 1995.
Following his fame, Frank Darabont was offered multiple opportunities for several other projects. Citing creative differences or simply walking out, Darabont rejected the projects in hopes of creating something that he loved.
In a 2021 interview, Darabont revealed to Dread Central that he wrote an iconic story based on the American Civil War from an unfinished draft of Stanley Kubrick. Despite all his efforts in creating the script, the director was left empty-handed.
“I spent the last year writing a script. And I know when I’m hitting on all cylinders or not. I was hitting on all cylinders. It’s a magnificent project based on a treatment that Stanley Kubrick wrote in the late ’50s—an incredible Civil War piece. It’s a very meaningful script and [when] I finished, I said, ‘This is the best thing I’ve ever done.’ And we shopped it around town and we didn’t get a single meeting.”
So directing two episodes of Stranger Things Season 5 might be a good chance for The Shawshank Redemption director for a comeback in Hollywood. Starring Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins in the lead roles, The Shawshank Redemption received a rating of 9.3/10 on IMDB and a whopping 98% on Rotten Tomatoes!
The 1994 film is available to rent on Apple TV+ in the U.S.
