One of the original Stand By Me cast members is playing a major role in a new adaptation of the iconic coming-of-age story. Stephen King wrote a novella called The Body in 1982, and the late director Rob Reiner adapted it for the big screen just four years later with a brand-new title: Stand By Me.

Four decades have passed since Wil Wheaton starred as Gordie Lachance in Stand By Me, and the actor is now returning to the world of King by narrating the audiobook version of The Body to celebrate the milestone anniversary.

King took to X to promote Wheaton’s new role in The Body audiobook, which will be released on March 24 but is available to pre-order now. “Listen to the story that shaped a generation,” the author wrote on social media.

King’s social media post included a video in which Wheaton himself excitedly talked about being given this opportunity. The actor admitted he’s been “trying to get permission” for years to narrate The Body audiobook. He called it an “incredible journey” to get to this point where he could finally announce the news.

Wheaton added that landing the audiobook narrator role has been a “dream come true” and it’s an “incredible gift” to be able to share King’s story with the world in this way.

Hi, friends. I am in the booth—the same booth where I do Storytime With Wil Wheaton, as it turns out—recording something that I have been trying to get permission to narrate for literal years. It has been such an incredible journey to get here, and it happened at exactly the right time. I am narrating The Body by Stephen King, which was adapted into Stand By Me. And I’m working with the original text and telling his original story. This is such an incredible gift for me. This is very much a dream come true. I have been trying for so long to be right here, right now, and it’s finally happening.

Wheaton starred in Stand By Me alongside Jerry O’Connell, Corey Feldman and River Phoenix. The film revolves around a group of friends who attempt to find a missing boy’s dead body. Themes of friendship, trauma, bullying, growing up and death are interwoven throughout their journey.

Stand By Me grossed over $52 million at the box office against an $8 million budget, and went on to receive multiple award show nominations, including at the Oscars (Best Adapted Screenplay), Golden Globes (Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Director), Writers Guild of America Awards (Best Adapted Screenplay) and Directors Guild of America Awards (Outstanding Directing – Feature Film).

The National Board of Review also named Stand By Me one of the Top 10 films of 1986.

By 1986, Wheaton had already appeared in several films on both the big and small screens, but Stand By Me was his breakout role in the entertainment industry. He followed up that project by playing Wesley Crusher on Star Trek: The Next Generation.

After leaving the sci-fi series, the actor continued starring in films and guest-starring on TV shows like Tales from the Crypt, The Love Boat: The Next Wave, Diagnosis: Murder, CSI, Criminal Minds, Dark Matter, Supergirl and S.W.A.T.

Wheaton also had a recurring role on The Big Bang Theory and then reprised Wesley Crusher on Star Trek: Picard.

The Body isn’t Wheaton’s first time narrating an audiobook; he’s had this role several times over the years, including for Ready Player One, Ready Player Two, Armada, Redshirts and The Martian.

Now he’s ready to bring King’s The Body to life in a brand-new way after starring in the big-screen adaptation, Stand By Me.