Scott Cooper replaces Ben Affleck as director of 'The Stand'

The actor-turned-director has agreed to take the reins on "The Stand," an adaptation of the Stephen King novel of the same name, following Ben Affleck's departure from the project, according to the Hollywood trade press. Working with Warner Bros. and CBS Films, Scott Cooper will direct the film adaptation of King's 1978 novel, an ambitious post-apocalyptic saga. In over 800 pages, "The Stand" stages the epic showdown of Good vs. Evil in a world devastated by a lethal pandemic. Three years after his award-winning directorial debut, "Crazy Heart," Scott Cooper is currently working on another book-to-film adaptation, "Creek," based on Michael Armour's novel "The Road Home." Produced by Leonardo DiCaprio, the film depicts a California farmer's investigations into a murder covered up by authorities during the Great Depression. Before "Creek" and "The Stand," Scott Cooper will be in the running for the 2014 Oscars with "Out of the Furnace." The drama places Christian Bale in the role of an ex-con, who puts his freedom and his life in jeopardy to avenge his younger brother. Casey Affleck, Zoe Saldana, Woody Harrelson and Forest Whitaker also have credits in the film, which will hit North American theaters next December 6.