Mike Flanagan Promises Remake of ‘The Mist’ Goes in a “Different Direction”

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Mike Flanagan, the director behind popular horror projects like Doctor Sleep, The Haunting of Hill House, and Midnight Mass, is taking on a new film adaptation of Stephen King’s The Mist. News of the project broke on February 10, 2026, with Flanagan promising fans that this version won’t simply repeat the story of the 2007 film, which has become a beloved cult classic known for its surprisingly bleak conclusion. The 2007 adaptation was directed by Frank Darabont and based on King’s original 1980 novella.

Given the popularity of the 2007 film The Mist and its 2017 TV series adaptation, many people were unsure about a new remake, even with director Mike Flanagan’s strong reputation. Flanagan addressed a fan’s concern on BlueSky, explaining, “I love Darabont’s film, and there’s no reason to remake it. That’s why I’m taking the story in a different direction.” He later shared more details in another post.

I stopped trying to guess what fans will debate years ago – honestly, everyone needs to chill out! I just saw people getting incredibly upset over some amateur AI-generated posters for The Exorcist. But to be clear, this isn’t a rehash of old ideas. The changes are apparent right from the beginning.

The Legacy of ‘The Mist’ and the Expectations Mike Flanagan Has to Meet


Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Based on the work of Stephen King, The Mist tells the story of a group of people trapped in a supermarket when a strange, dense fog rolls into town, concealing terrifying creatures. Directed by Frank Darabont, known for films like The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile, the movie was released in November 2007 and earned $57.3 million globally. While initial reviews were somewhat mixed, The Mist has since gained a reputation as one of the most successful and well-regarded adaptations of King’s work.

Mike Flanagan’s film, The Mist, is his fourth adaptation of a Stephen King story, following Gerald’s Game, Doctor Sleep, and Life of Chuck. He’s currently working on several King projects, including a new television series based on King’s first novel, Carrie, which was famously adapted into a film in 1976. Flanagan is also involved with The Dark Tower, a sprawling story that ties together many of King’s works, and this project could potentially be connected to his remake of The Mist.

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Warner Bros.’ new version of The Mist isn’t the first time the Stephen King story has been revisited. Spike previously created a ten-episode TV series, but it was canceled after just one season. Although Frank Darabont was involved as an executive producer, that series wasn’t connected to the original movie. Mike Flanagan’s take on The Mist is currently planned for a 2028 release, following his Exorcist film starring Scarlett Johansson, which is scheduled for March of that year.

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2026-02-26 03:34