Joe Hill, acclaimed author and son of Stephen King, is working on a new adaptation from one of his unpublished novellas, blending personal motivation with his ongoing success in Hollywood. This project highlights not only the enduring legacy of Stephen King adaptations but also Hill’s dedicated approach, shaped by a need to maintain vital healthcare benefits.
Joe Hill’s Continuing Influence on Stephen King Adaptations
Joe Hill has steadily built a strong reputation distinct from his father’s, authoring several notable stories that have transitioned to film and television. His next screenplay will be for a yet-unpublished novella, and he continues a pattern of writing at least one script each year, whether based on his or others’ works.
Hill detailed his current work in a Mashable interview, emphasizing that he is actively revising a screenplay based on a story that has not yet reached publication. He explained,
“Right now I’m revising a screenplay that I was paid for for 2025,”
—Joe Hill, screenwriter and author. He further added,
“The script I’m working on now is an adaptation of an unpublished novella that I’d written that will be published eventually.”
—Joe Hill, screenwriter and author.
Notably, Hill’s stories have inspired multiple adaptations in recent years. Scott Derrickson’s 2022 horror film “The Black Phone” and Netflix’s eerie “In the Tall Grass” were both based on Hill’s writing. His comic series “Locke and Key” was also successfully transformed for television, finding a loyal audience.
The Essential Role of Healthcare in Hill’s Creative Process
While Hill’s creative drive is evident, a practical necessity shapes his annual commitment to screenwriting: accessing healthcare benefits through the Writers Guild of America. He revealed that this need shaped his recent output, including this newest adaptation. As Hill explained,
“It’s so important to have access to that healthcare insurance,”
—Joe Hill, screenwriter and author. The urgency was underscored by his wife’s 2024 cancer diagnosis, reinforcing the stakes behind his steady writing pace.
A lapse in coverage prompted Hill to select his unpublished novella for adaptation. With support from Scott Derrickson, who resonated with Hill’s story and idea, the writer took on the project for Sony’s Screen Gems. Hill recounted,
“I sent him this novella I had written that hadn’t been published, and a pitch for how I’d adapt it, and he got psyched. And he’s like, ‘We gotta do this.’ And so he got me the gig to write the script. Now I’m revising it for Sony Screen Gems,”
—Joe Hill, screenwriter and author.
Looking Ahead: New Projects and Future Adaptations
Hill’s wife has since made a full recovery, but his commitment to both novels and annual screenplays remains firm as he moves through his fifties. He expressed enthusiasm for his future endeavors, noting that his upcoming projects involve adapting the works of others. Hill remarked,
“The next two things I’ve got lined up are adaptations of other people’s words,”
—Joe Hill, screenwriter and author.
Joe Hill’s journey shows how the world of Stephen King adaptations remains closely tied to personal stories and practical needs. As Hill continues to blend family legacy and individual creativity in his contributions to film and television, audiences can look forward to new and distinctive projects shaped by both artistry and real-life motivation.
