After five decades, Stephen King’s classic horror novel Carrie has had its unforgettable story adapted for the screen several different times. It’s now set to be reimagined once again, this time by horror maestro Mike Flanagan. As Flanagan previously held tight onto a personal rule to never take on any reboots or sequels, this could be seen by fans as a rather surprising move for the filmmaker to take.
In a recent chat with Empire Magazine (via Deadline), Flanagan shed some light onto his decision to pursue Carrie. While Flanagan didn’t divulge specifics, he hinted that his take on Carrie “felt very timely,” seemingly suggesting a modern spin that will feel relevant to today’s viewers. Flanagan also emphasized that his version will take Carrie into a new direction that hasn’t been done before.
“A new way presented itself, something that felt very timely and new,” he said. “I’ve really enjoyed chasing the things that hadn’t already been done, and trying to find new ways into them… And I used to say, ‘No sequels.'”
Flanagan previously swayed away from his rule about no sequels with 2019’s Doctor Sleep, an adaptation of Stephen King’s follow-up to The Shining. He shared how he couldn’t resist “completing a story” in that case, which could be another clue about his plans for Carrie
“It proved to be irresistible,” Flanagan said about Doctor Sleep. “The Shining is a story about alcoholism, and because Steve wrote this sequel of sorts that is a story about recovery, it presented this thing of, ‘Oh, we’re painting the second side of the same coin; we’re completing a story.'”
Related: Stephen King’s ‘Carrie’ Forged His Path to Horror Greatness
One known difference of Flanagan’s Carrie compared to previous adaptations is that it will be a limited series spanning eight episodes. The Amazon series, which wrapped up production last fall, will star Summer Howell in the titular role. Other stars include Matthew Lillard, Samantha Sloyan, Margaret White, Amber Midthunder, Josie Totah, and Kate Siegel.
The original novel, released in 1974, tells the story of a bullied teenager with telekinetic powers who goes on a murderous rampage at her high school after a cruel prank makes her snap. Director Brian De Palma was first to adapt the story into a feature film with 1976’s Carrie, with Katt Shea releasing a sequel, The Rage: Carrie 2, in 1999. David Carson’s TV movie version was released in 2002, followed by Kimberly Peirce’s reboot film in 2013. Multiple stage musicals have also been developed.
Amazon has not yet set a release date for Mike Flanagan’s Carrie.
