James Marsden In Talks For CBS’ The Stand, Other Potential Cast Members Include Amber Heard and Whoopi Goldberg

It’s been some time since there’s been any news on the CBS All Access adaptation of Stephen King’s mammoth tome The Stand, a story about a superflu that wipes out most of America’s population, only for the survivors to be drawn into a battle between good and evil. The new version was ordered to series back in January and now it seems we have a whole group of potential casting decisions for the latest take, thanks to Collider.

First up is James Marsden (Westworld) as Stu Redman, who is one of the main characters of the story and the first one that is discovered to be immune to the ‘Captain Trips’ superflu. He eventually becomes the leader of the Free Zone. Deadline confirmed that Marsden is in advanced negotiations for the role.

Amber Heard is in talks to play Nadine Cross, a woman who used to be a school teacher but eventually comes to believe it’s her destiny to be with Randall Flagg and bear his child.

Whoopi Goldberg is in talks to play Mother Abigail, a woman who claims to be a prophet of God and is the opposing force to Flagg that brings the Free Zone survivors together.

Greg Kinnear is in talks to play Glen Bateman, a former professor with arthritis who is part of the Free Zone. Odessa Young would play Frannie Goldsmith, Stu’s eventual love interest and one of the only pregnant women left after the virus killed everyone. Henry Zaga is in advanced talks to play Nick Andros, a deaf-mute with a bad eye who helps in the Free Zone.

The series will be written, directed and executive produced by Josh Boone. Other executive producers include co-writer Ben Cavell, Roy Lee, Jimmy Miller, Richard P. Rubinstein, Will Weiske and Miri Yoon. Owen King will produce.