Hate Mail

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Summary

  • Stephen King prefers the altered ending of the Cujo movie over the original book conclusion.
  • Wallace, the actress from Cujo, pushed to change the ending so that it does not involve the tragic death of a child.
  • King, an experienced author with numerous adaptations, enjoys hearing fans’ opinions on his book endings.

In terms of authors who frequently encounter discussions about their conclusions, that title undeniably belongs to Stephen King. He has even disclosed the ending of one particularly contentious book among his fans – a conclusion that left many disappointed. Throughout his lengthy writing career, King has devised some extraordinary and tragic endings, such as Carrie’s shocking demise and the melancholic final scenes in The Mist, which leave readers with an air of uncertainty. With numerous adaptations on the horizon, including the upcoming film The Long Walk, viewers will have ample opportunities to compare the movie and book conclusions.

Stephen King’s debut novel, “Carrie,” was released in 1974, marking the beginning of a prolific career filled with numerous novels, novellas, and short stories. One of his spooky tales, “Gramma,” was transformed into an episode for The Twilight Zone, and he even penned some screenplays for adaptations such as the 2014 film, A Good Marriage. Although fans delight in learning about his favorite horror films, it’s equally intriguing to discuss the opinions of King’s readers regarding the ending of one of his most revered books.

Stephen King Said His Cujo Book Ending Got “Hate Mail” (& Revealed He Was Glad The Movie Ending Was Changed)

Back in the sunny days of May 2025, I sat down for an enlightening chat on Steve Kmetko’s podcast, “Still Here Hollywood.” During our conversation, the captivating Dee Wallace, who played the unforgettable role in “Cujo,” revealed a fascinating tidbit about Stephen King. Apparently, King was pleased that the movie version of his novel deviated from its original ending. As reported by Entertainment Weekly, this bit of information was shared by none other than Ms. Wallace herself.

Following the release of ‘Cujo’, Stephen King expressed his relief that he hadn’t killed the child in the story, stating, ‘I can’t believe the amount of hostile mail I received over this – more than any other decision I’ve made in my work.’

Wallace mentioned that she desired a change in one particular aspect when “Cujo” was turned into a movie, stating:

The film significantly deviates from the novel. In this version, a demon possesses the dog, leading to the child’s demise. Upon joining the project, I expressed my disapproval, stating, ‘The child must not perish.’

Following her roles in horror films ‘The Hills Have Eyes’ and ‘The Howling’, Dee Wallace portrayed Donna Trenton in ‘Cujo’, which hit the screens in 1983. In contrast to his demise in the novel, Tad Trenton (played by Danny Pintauro) makes it through to the very end of the movie version. The film ‘Cujo’ is noteworthy for having one of Stephen King’s most heartrending conclusions, as nobody wishes to contemplate a child’s death. When it comes to the upcoming Netflix remake of ‘Cujo’, it will be intriguing to see whether the director chooses to stick with the original novel’s ending or, like the initial adaptation, opts for a different path.

In a nerve-wracking scenario, Wallace showcased remarkable parenting skills, as stated by Jo Blo during an interview on The Kingcast podcast. King himself asserted that Wallace was worthy of an Oscar nomination and even believed she should have won the Best Actress Academy Award. Furthermore, it’s interesting to note that instead of watching Cujo at a private screening, the author personally watched it in a movie theater, offering a charming insider tidbit.

It’s intriguing to learn that King found satisfaction with the movie adaptation of Cujo deviating from the book’s ending, since it can be a complex situation for an author when their work is transformed. However, given his extensive history, King has plenty of experience navigating this process. Currently, Rotten Tomatoes lists 65 films based on his works, and that tally will undoubtedly increase as audiences eagerly await Mike Flanagan’s The Life of Chuck, set to release in June 2025.

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2025-05-05 17:21