Mike Flanagan, the mastermind behind the chilling tale "Doctor Sleep," might be venturing into non-horror territories with his latest endeavor, an adaptation of Stephen King's poignant novella "The Life of Chuck," premiering at TIFF this weekend. Yet, this fleeting detour from the dark side doesn't signal the end of his reign as a maestro of terror. In a recent tête-à-tête with The Hollywood Reporter, Flanagan unveiled his slate of eagerly anticipated projects, including a daring reimagining of "The Exorcist" that promises to shake the foundations of the genre.
"Embarking on a franchise or revisiting a beloved property without introducing something fresh is futile," Flanagan mused. "My relentless pursuit of 'The Exorcist' stemmed from a conviction that I could breathe new life into it. I saw an opportunity to contribute something unique."
Initially, David Gordon Green's vision for a trilogy expanding the original's narrative faltered, with "The Exorcist: Believer" struggling to impress both critics and audiences, leaving a paltry $137 million box office tally in the wake of Blumhouse's $400 million investment. Promptly, Green relinquished his hold, but Flanagan's approach is distinct. He's not merely catering to die-hard fans; he's crafting a cinematic experience that resonates with both veterans and fresh faces alike.
"This is a chance to create something unprecedented within the franchise's canon—a homage to its rich history while eschewing nostalgia," Flanagan enthused. "At heart, I'm driven by the pure desire to scare the living daylights out of you. With 'The Exorcist,' I envision making my scariest film yet. The stakes are high, and I'm as intimidated as anyone."
Alas, one project that Flanagan had his heart set on but ultimately had to relinquish was Stephen King's cosmic horror opus "Revival," a mind-bending tale delving into addiction, fanaticism, and the great beyond. "I penned a script for 'Revival' that stands as one of my proudest achievements, but alas, it fell through," he lamented. "King prefers his collaborators focused on one endeavor at a time, and so, I had to let it go in favor of 'The Dark Tower.'"
Speaking of the mammoth task of adapting "The Dark Tower," a sprawling series spanning eight novels, a novella, and a children's book, Flanagan likened it to navigating an oil tanker. "It's been a journey fraught with challenges, from my transition from Netflix to Amazon to industry strikes," he shared. "Yet, we persist. Progress is being made, and we're further along than ever before. While I envision standalone features within the universe, the core narrative remains an ongoing series, teeming with potential."
