Gyllenhaal, Thornton for ‘The Stand’ remake?

LONDON - Legendary writer Stephen King is urging movie bosses to rope in Jake Gyllenhaal and Billy Bob Thornton to star in the upcoming big screen remake of his 1978 book “The Stand”.

The post-apocalyptic story, which sees the US devastated by a superflu virus, was first adapted for a 1994 TV mini series of the same name starring Gary Sinise in the lead role of survivor Stuart Redman.

“No one will be able to top Gary Sinise, who played Stu Redman in the original ABC mini series. He was perfect… (But) my runner-up pick would be Jake Gyllenhaal,” dailystar.co.uk quoted King as saying.

King also hopes Thornton will also be offered a part. “Billy Bob Thornton would be cool. Billy Bob’s always cool.”