‘The Shining’ Prequel to Be Directed by Mark Romanek

[Wang Chung]

Mark Romanek is in negotiations to helm Warner Bros.’ “Overlook Hotel,†a prequel to the Stanley Kubrick classic “The Shining.â€

Former “Walking Dead†showrunner Glen Mazzara recently turned in his draft for the original story, with Mythology’s Brad Fischer, James Vanderbilt and Laeta Kalogridis producing.

Based on Stephen King’s original prologue to “The Shining,†which was cut from the book prior to publication in 1977, the film will tell the origin story of the Overlook Hotel through the eyes of its first owner, Bob T. Watson. A robber baron at the turn of the 20th century, Watson scaled the remote peaks of the Colorado Rockies to build the grandest resort in America, and a place he and his family would also call home

Samir Hussein/Getty Images

Starring Jack Nicholson, the original “Shining†revolved around a writer who takes his family to an isolated hotel for the winter where an evil presence influences him to commit violent acts, while his psychic son sees horrific visions of the past and future.

Though ABC had King’s blessing to make a 1997 miniseries remake starring Steven Weber, studios have been cautious about doing justice to a film that has come to be seen as one of the top horror films of all time.

In 2013, King published a “Shining†sequel “Dr. Sleep,†which Warners is also trying to get off the ground.

Romanek is also attached to direct “Boston Strangler†for the studio starring Casey Affleck and last directed the Fox Searchlight pic “Never Let Me Go.â€

He is repped by CAA.

I really hope this doesnt suck and no Nicholson in this would be a travesty, even if he just had a cameo would be good.

 

[Fuji Vice]

Speaking of fucking stupid ideas, there's this one! Why the hell is Warner wasting their time with this crap when they could have already gone ahead with Doctor Sleep? Apparently they're "trying to get it off the ground" even though if you read it you'll see that its basically already a film that they can stretch out to two parts.

I really don't see the appeal in learning the history of the Overlook considering that part is meant to be a mystery in the novel. I didn't care about it in the original film, so why am I supposed to care about it now? Seriously, news like this really pisses me off when all I want is to see a film version of Doctor Sleep, which imo is almost as good as The Shining anyway.

 

[Swinny]

Yeah I don't really see this as necessary but I've really liked the last two movies Mark Romanek has done, One Hour Photo and Never Let Me Go, so it's in good hands at least.