After moving forward with a writer in 2016, Warner Bros. has at last chosen a director for its adaptation of Doctor Sleep, Stephen King’s 2013 sequel to his horror classic The Shining.
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Deadline reports the studio has hired Mike Flanagan, director of the 2013 psychological horror film Oculus, who will rewrite the earlier script by Akiva Goldsman. Following the blockbuster success of 2017’s It, which earned more than $700 million worldwide, Warner Bros. is fast-tracking this King film.
Doctor Sleep follows the adult Danny Torrence, years after the traumatic events at the Overlook Hotel, who grapples with the same alcohol and anger issues his father experienced. Both have led to the dilution of his ‘Shining’ powers, which slowly begin to re-emerge as Danny turns to sobriety, and uses them to help hospice patients. During this time, he develops a connection with a young girl, Abra Stone, who comes to possess the same Shining abilities as he does. Both later end up in the cross hairs of a tribe of paranormals led by a man known only as Rose the Hat.
Doctor Sleep has no announced release date. The film will be produced by Jon Berg and Jon Gonda.