Buoyed by the meteoric success of It over at New Line, Warner Bros. is moving forward with a sequel to Stephen King’s other horror classic, The Shining. And it’s already found a director.
Deadline has the scoop, revealing that Mike Flanagan (Oculus, Gerald’s Game) has been hired to write and direct an adaptation of Doctor Sleep, King’s novel that explores the troubled life of Danny Torrance (Redrum!) 40 years after his famous stay at the Overlook Hotel.
First published in 2013, Doctor Sleep deep dives into Torrance’s struggles with anger and alcoholism – the very same troubles that afflicted his father, Jack, all those years ago. Meanwhile, Flanagan will now rewrite the script penned by Akiva Goldsman, and we understand this sequel to The Shining, one that has been rumored for years – if not decades – has been placed on the fast track.
He’ll be working alongside producing partner Trevor Macy, after the two adapted Gerald’s Game, another one from King’s oeuvre, for Netflix late last year. Such was the success of their feature that the online streamer ordered The Haunting of Hill House, which will presumably take precedence for Flanagan and Macy before Doctor Sleep gets off the ground at Warner Bros.
Speaking of which, here’s how Stephen King’s follow-up is described:
Danny Torrance carries the trauma of the Overlook Hotel into adulthood. He’s become a reflection of his murderous father, with lingering rage and a drinking problem that dulls his pain as well as his “shining” powers. Those powers return when he embraces sobriety and uses his gift to help the dying at a hospice. He establishes a psychic connection with a young girl who shares his extreme abilities, and who is being targeted by a scary group with the similar abilities. They’ve found that their powers grow if they inhale the “steam” that comes off others with the power to shine, when they are suffering painful deaths.
Doctor Sleep is officially beginning to coalesce at Warner Bros., and we’ll be keeping you right up-to-date as this story unfolds.