Summary
Director Mike Flanagan pays tribute to Jack Nicholson's iconic axe scene from "The Shining" in a behind-the-scenes photo from "Doctor Sleep."
Flanagan's love for the franchise and Stephen King's horror writing shines through in his tribute to "The Shining."
His skill in adapting King's novels, such as "Doctor Sleep," illustrates his talent in bringing the author's stories to the screen.
Doctor Sleep director Mike Flanagan has posted a photo of himself reenacting the iconic axe scene from The Shining, originally performed by Jack Nicholson. Flanagan's Doctor Sleep serves as a sequel to both Stanley Kubrick's renowned movie and Stephen King's terrifying novel of the same title. Taking place years later, the film follows an older Dan Torrance (played by Ewan McGregor) as he endeavors to protect a teenager who possesses the same supernatural abilities known as the Shining, from a sinister cult. Notably, the Overlook Hotel, a crucial setting from the original film, also appears in Doctor Sleep. In the shared image, Flanagan can be seen ascending the stairs, mirroring Jack Torrance's memorable actions from the first movie.
Mike Flanagan's Future Stephen King Projects Explained
The scene pays tribute to The Shining and celebrates Nicholson's iconic performance as Jack. Additionally, it highlights Flanagan's deep admiration for both the franchise and King's terrifying literary creations.
In addition to Doctor Sleep, Stephen King's eerie tales have inspired other works by director Mike Flanagan. Flanagan not only adapted King's 1992 novel Gerald's Game into a riveting Netflix original film, but he also penned and directed it. Flanagan's upcoming project, The Life of Chuck, draws from another King creation - a captivating short story featured in his 2020 collection If It Bleeds.
Additionally, Flanagan is set to helm the ambitious task of bringing King's highly regarded masterpiece, The Dark Tower series, to life as a captivating TV series. King himself has expressed unwavering support for Flanagan's vision, highlighting the immense trust he places in the director's ability to effectively portray his chilling narratives on the screen. Undoubtedly, Flanagan's remarkable work on the adaptation of "Doctor Sleep" proved instrumental in showcasing to King the exceptional skill with which he could translate the essence of the author's novels beyond the written page.
Given Flanagan's evident admiration for King's literary legacy, it is plausible that he may venture into further adaptations of the author's works in the future. However, at present, his focus seems to be on the two adaptations he is currently developing. Nonetheless, it is evident that the profound dedication he exhibited in his portrayal of "Doctor Sleep" served as the catalyst for making his other adaptations of King's captivating stories a tangible reality.
Source: Mike Flanagan/Twitter