The screenwriter, known for adapting numerous novels into films, is currently working on several new projects. Among them is a film adaptation of the timeless story, .
Mike Flanagan’s Carrie Will Reinvent the Prom Scene
Mike Flanagan has proven himself a skilled adapter of Stephen King’s work, having successfully directed Gerald’s Game in 2017 and Doctor Sleep in 2019. King has great confidence in Flanagan’s abilities and is now letting him develop The Dark Tower as a television series.
Flanagan approached the film Carrie with great care and reverence. He acknowledged that recreating the iconic prom scene was inevitable, stating, “If you’re going to make Carrie, you know you have to include the prom—it’s a given.”
Despite previous movie versions, Flanagan hinted that the new adaptation will take a completely fresh approach, and viewers won’t be able to predict the story.
What I found really interesting was the idea that both I, and the audience, believe we already know what happened at the prom. We even establish this early on – one of our actors, Siena Agudong, says as much in the very first episode: everyone thinks they know the story.
You’ll recognize some of the locations and scenes, but they’ll appear in unexpected ways. Despite all the changes we’ve made – and this Carrie is quite different – a single line from Stephen King’s novel remains central to the story. That one line, more than anything else about the characters or plot, truly defines what the book is about.
Sue Snell highlights a crucial point early in the story – a fact the author emphasizes by having her repeat it three times. During an interview about the events in Chamberlain, she explains that people don’t realize they were all just children at the time, simply doing what they thought was right.
For me, that was the core of the story – a story I didn’t think had ever truly been captured on film before. It’s a tragedy, yes, but not simply because of the monsters or the troubled characters like Chris Hargensen and Margaret White, who are frightening in the book. The real tragedy is that it’s a story about young people and adults who are all just trying to navigate life and do what they think is right.
That really brought the story to life and gave it genuine emotion, making it feel fresh and original. I believe fans of Carrie will find everything they’re hoping for – those key moments will definitely be there.
Of course, Carrie’s going to the prom. But don’t think you know what’s gonna happen.
Mike Flanagan Showed His Devotion to Stephen King’s Worlds
This filmmaker has worked with Stephen King’s stories many times, and their ongoing partnership shows how much they admire each other. When discussing his approach to adapting novels into movies, Flanagan said he always tries to stay true to the original material as much as possible, especially when it comes to Stephen King’s work because he’s such a longtime fan.
Flanagan explained that this project allowed him to do the type of adaptation he’s known for – taking existing stories, like he did with The Haunting of Hill House, The Fall of the House of Usher, and The Haunting of Bly Manor, and completely reimagining them into something new.
Carrie explained she was enthusiastic about this topic because it kept coming up – people were referencing details from the book or other adaptations that weren’t actually present in this particular version.
He explained that their version of Margaret White is completely fresh – unlike anything audiences have seen before. They’re deliberately subverting expectations regarding the characters, plot, and overall outcome of the story. While there will be elements familiar to fans of Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House, they aim to surprise even dedicated Stephen King readers, including himself, with unexpected twists and turns. That was their guiding principle throughout the process.
Carrie premieres on Prime Video this fall.
2026-07-25 02:07