Mike Flanagan Broke His Own Rules To Make New Stephen King Adaptation

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As a huge Mike Flanagan fan, I was really disappointed by his recent Carrie adaptation for Prime Video. It feels like he broke his own established strengths with this one. Carrie, Stephen King’s first published novel back in 1974, tells the story of Carrie White, a shy, isolated high schooler controlled by her incredibly strict mother. And, just to make things even more dramatic, she discovers she has telekinetic powers right before the prom!

Mike Flanagan, a longtime fan of Stephen King, recently told Empire Magazine that he found a fresh angle for the story of Carrie. This allowed him to put aside the fact that the story had been adapted many times before, including the famous 1976 film with Sissy Spacek.

I stumbled upon a fresh opportunity that felt perfectly suited for the moment. I’ve always loved tackling original ideas and finding innovative approaches. I even had a rule against revisiting old concepts – no sequels, ever.

Flanagan’s first departure from strict adaptation came with Doctor Sleep, the sequel to Stephen King’s The Shining. The story revisits Dan Torrance (played by Ewan McGregor) years after the horrific experiences at the Overlook Hotel. Flanagan was immediately drawn to the 2013 novel, feeling it offered a compelling companion piece to the original. He explained that The Shining explores the impact of alcoholism, while Doctor Sleep focuses on the journey to recovery, making them two sides of the same story and allowing for a complete narrative.

Matthew Lillard Says Prime Video’s ‘Carrie’ Was Six Months of ‘Great Work’


Universal Pictures

Actor Matthew Lillard, known for his roles in Scream and Five Nights at Freddy’s, has been building excitement for Mike Flanagan’s new limited series, which finished filming last fall. He plays Principal Henry Grayle at Thomas Ewen Consolidated High School, and stars with Summer H. Howell, Kate Siegel, Amber Midthunder, and Samantha Sloyan.

In a MovieWeb exclusive, the actor discussed his experiences working on the project.

Working with Flanagan on ‘Carrie’ was an amazing six months. He’s such a fantastic director – really specific with his guidance, always looking out for you, and a true master of storytelling. But honestly, what made the whole experience special wasn’t just the work itself, it was the incredible friendships and sense of teamwork we all shared. That’s what really made it worthwhile for me.

Lillard explained Flanagan’s tendency to work with the same actors repeatedly – including Lillard himself, Carla Gugino, Bruce Greenwood, Siegel, and Rahul Kohli. He said when asked who he’d like to collaborate with, he always mentions James Gunn, and now also Mike Flanagan. Lillard expressed a genuine fondness for Flanagan, his wife, and their friends, who have also become his friends. He noted it’s rare to find a set where he genuinely likes everyone involved.

We recently spent time together – we had dinner last night and played games on Saturday. Having truly close friendships, especially with coworkers, is incredibly valuable. Work can often be just a means to an end – you go, do your job, and provide for your family. But those deeper connections, like the one I have with Mike, are what really matter. I’ve told him I’d be there for him anytime, and that’s how I believe life should be lived – surrounded by genuine, supportive friends.

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2026-01-04 19:20