In Fredericton, a woman lay on the ground with a disfigured face and red markings, but it was all part of filming an on-screen adaptation of Stephen King’s “Last Rung on the Ladder.” The film, directed by Michael Stafford, was made possible through King’s Dollar Baby Program, which Stafford obtained the rights for $1 before the program ended on December 31, 2023. This makes Stafford’s film one of the last to be created under this program. Stafford expressed his passion for the project, aiming to live up to the expectations of the audience for a Stephen King film by staying true to the story.
The film revolves around a childhood incident with a ladder in a hayloft and the suicide of the main character Larry’s sister, Kitty. Erica Whitman, who plays the adult Kitty in the film, expressed her excitement for the emotional challenge of capturing the dark and twisted nature of the story through her acting. While the original story did not have the typical horror elements associated with King’s work, special effects makeup artist Marc Deveault is looking forward to working on the monsters featured in the film, a variation from the short story. With experience working on other projects such as “X-Men: Apocalypse” and “King’s The Mist,” Deveault wants to ensure the effects meet King’s standards.
For the 10-year-old actress Reagan MacNeil, who plays young Kitty in the film, this project presents another opportunity to showcase her talent and gain recognition in the industry. Despite being only on the second day of filming, MacNeil is hopeful for the success of the film and the effort put into it. With a local cast, director Stafford hopes to shine a light on New Brunswick’s film scene and attract more attention to the city of Fredericton. Stafford aims to bring bigger television shows to the capital city and hopes that the government will provide more grants to support the filmmaking community to emulate the success of Nova Scotia in the industry.
The cast and crew of the film are dedicated to bringing Stephen King’s story to life on screen in a way that honors the original source material. With a mix of emotional depth, special effects, and talented actors, the team is working together to create a compelling adaptation of “Last Rung on the Ladder.” Despite the challenges of capturing the dark themes of the story and creating realistic monsters on screen, everyone involved is excited to be part of the project and hopes that the final product will satisfy both Stephen King fans and general audiences.
As filming continues, the team is focused on ensuring that the visuals and performances meet the high standards set by Stephen King’s body of work. The film serves as a testament to the talent and dedication of the local film scene in Fredericton, showcasing the potential for growth and success in the industry. Director Michael Stafford’s passion for filmmaking and storytelling drives the project forward, with hopes of attracting more attention to the city as a hub for film production. Through hard work, creativity, and collaboration, the team behind the adaptation of “Last Rung on the Ladder” is poised to deliver a memorable and chilling experience for viewers.
