Did The Shining’s Young Danny Torrance Actor Know It Was A Scary Movie? Danny Lloyd Clarifies The Legend About The Kubrick Film

Did The Shining's Young Danny Torrance Actor Know It Was A Scary Movie? Danny Lloyd Clarifies The Legend About The Kubrick Film

As a lifelong fan of Stephen King’s work, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation whenever new adaptations or news surrounding his stories emerge. This week, we’ve had the pleasure of delving into some fascinating insights from Danny Lloyd, who portrayed Danny Torrance in Stanley Kubrick’s iconic film adaptation of “The Shining.”


As a long-time fan of Stephen King’s works, I’m thrilled to share some exciting updates from the past week. Glen Powell recently spoke about his role in the upcoming adaptation of “The Running Man,” a classic King novel that has left me eagerly anticipating the release. Furthermore, the anthology series “Nightmares & Dreamscapes” turned 18, marking another milestone in the vast Stephen King universe.

As a longtime fan of Stephen King’s works and a film enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share some exciting news that has recently surfaced in the literary and cinematic world. Not only do we have Danny Lloyd, the child actor from Stanley Kubrick’s classic horror masterpiece “The Shining,” clarifying his experiences on set, but we also have a new documentary about the iconic film scheduled to premiere later this month!

Did The Shining's Young Danny Torrance Actor Know It Was A Scary Movie? Danny Lloyd Clarifies The Legend About The Kubrick Film

Danny Lloyd Explains How Protected He Was From The Horror On The Set Of Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining

It may surprise you that not all tales behind the scenes of Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining” hold water. Contrary to popular belief, Robin Williams was never a contender for the role of Jack Torrance, and it’s highly unlikely that Kubrick used this film as an admission to orchestrating the Apollo 11 moon landing. However, some stories surrounding the contemporary classic do hold truth – such as Kubrick and the production team taking steps to protect child actor Danny Lloyd from encountering frightening elements during filming.

When Lloyd was just five years old, his family took a trip to London for him to star as Danny Torrance in Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining.” Looking back, Lloyd realizes he was shielded from the film’s disturbing aspects during production. On this week’s episode of Fangoria’s The Kingcast, guest-cohosted by Mike Flanagan, the actor (now a biology teacher) discusses the rumor that he was kept oblivious to the fact he was making a “scary movie.” Lloyd confirmed this was true.

As a child, I was safely shielded from anything that could have frightened me while watching the movie. We followed instructions, which seemed ordinary to us. The suspense grew as the movie unfolded, leaving me wondering what was happening. At five years old, I needed my mom to explain the story in simple terms.

As a devoted fan of “The Shining,” I’ve observed closely that Danny Lloyd is never shown in scenes involving gore or the hotel’s spectral apparitions. It’s not far-fetched to think this was deliberately planned – and Lloyd himself admitted he had little knowledge of the horror genre when he was a child.

Growing up, we used to call them “scary movies” when my friends and I would huddle together on the couch, hearts pounding with fear as we watched the latest horror flick on TV. We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into, blindly following the allure of the unknown. Fast forward to making a movie myself, and it became crystal clear that this was not going to be a Disney production. The intensity and darkness of the film’s themes and visuals were far beyond anything I had experienced as a child. It was both a thrilling and humbling reminder of how much our understanding and appreciation for horror films evolves as we grow older.

According to Eric Vespe and Mike Flanagan’s analysis, Danny Lloyd’s role in “The Shining” was significantly impacted by the film’s scary nature. In fact, some of the most chilling moments in the movie capture Lloyd’s wide-eyed, terrified expression as he gazes directly into the camera lens. Lloyd himself acknowledged this connection with a chuckle.

“I see what you mean. Why did I need to work on that intimidating expression so frequently?” There was a valid explanation behind it. [Chuckles]

Apart from sharing his insights about the terror portrayed in “The Shining,” Danny Lloyd talks to The Kingcast about the captivating audition experience for the film, his connection with Stephen King’s novels, working alongside Jack Nicholson on set, and other intriguing behind-the-scenes stories. His perspective offers a fresh and engaging take on the movie that is definitely worth exploring in detail by listening to the entire podcast episode.

Did The Shining's Young Danny Torrance Actor Know It Was A Scary Movie? Danny Lloyd Clarifies The Legend About The Kubrick Film

A Surprise Documentary About The Shining Will Be Release On July 26

Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining” is an intriguing movie that has sparked extensive analysis. With countless perspectives on offer, this film continues to fascinate audiences. For devoted fans of Stephen King’s adaptation, there are already resources like Lee Unkrich and J.W. Rinzler’s “Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining” and Rodney Ascher’s “Room 237.” Soon, another investigation into this masterpiece will be available as the official Stanley Kubrick YouTube channel is releasing a new documentary later this month.

Next Friday, July 26, which is also Stanley Kubrick’s birthday, a documentary called “Shine On – The Untold Story of ‘Shining’s’ Filming Locations” will debut on YouTube at 11 a.m. Pacific Time or 2 p.m. Eastern Time. Narrated by actor Michael Sheen, this film offers an in-depth look at the location scouting and art direction that brought the legendary Overlook Hotel to life on the silver screen.

As a passionate gamer and documentary maker, I was thrilled to uncover hidden treasures at Elstree Studios in London during the production process. To my delight, we stumbled upon sets originally created for “The Shining”! In our film, we delve deep into the intriguing influences and pivotal decisions that shaped the creation of The Overlook. According to director/producer Paul King in a recent press statement, this exploration offers a unique glimpse into the artistic process behind one of horror’s most iconic locations.

Discovering the supposedly remaining sets from “The Shining” at Elstree Studios has long been a subject of intrigue due to numerous rumors. Yet, experiencing the thrill of locating them and exploring their grounds in person is akin to unearthing an elusive relic in the annals of cinematic history.

On July 19, Friday, the initial preview for “Shine On – Rediscovering the Hidden Sets of ‘The Shining'” will be unveiled, offering fans of “The Shining” an early peek into the making of the documentary.

Did The Shining's Young Danny Torrance Actor Know It Was A Scary Movie? Danny Lloyd Clarifies The Legend About The Kubrick Film

The Stand Miniseries’ 30th Anniversary Is Being Celebrated With A New Steelbook

As a enthusiast of physical media collections, I strongly prefer Steelbooks over regular DVD or Blu-ray cases. Their robust construction sets them apart from standard plastic containers, and they maintain their appeal despite format transitions, such as Blu-ray to 4K UHD. Moreover, Steelbooks frequently showcase exclusive artwork not found in other home video editions. I’ve amassed a collection of Steelbooks for each Stephen King adaptation released in this format, and I eagerly anticipate adding Mick Garris’ “The Stand” to my shelf soon.

Paramount Home Media Distribution is reportedly preparing to unveil a commemorative Steelbook for “The Stand” through Blu-ray.com in observance of its 30th anniversary (originally broadcast from May 8-12, 1994). The box art showcases the trippy journey of Stu, Larry, Glen, and Ralph to Las Vegas as portrayed in the third act, while the reverse side displays a crow perched atop a skull with a bolts-of-lightning backdrop. Inside, you’ll find the tagline “The End Of The World Is Just The Beginning,” along with an ominous representation of Randall Flagg shrouded in darkness.

I’m personally thrilled to acquire this latest collectible for my personal collection, which is an upgrade for me. However, potential buyers should be aware that the Blu-ray disc enclosed is identical to the one released in standard packaging in 2019. If you already own “The Stand” miniseries in high definition and don’t feel compelled to buy this new version solely for the Steelbook packaging, it’s reasonable. This marks the third Stephen King miniseries to come out in this format, with Tobe Hooper’s “Salem’s Lot” and Tommy Lee Wallace’s “IT” being the previous releases.

The special edition of “The Stand” Steelbook won’t hit the shelves at large retailers. Instead, it’s intended for sale as an exclusive item at Walmart. Pre-orders can’t be placed just yet, but mark your calendars for September 24, which is when it will become available in Walmart stores.

Did The Shining's Young Danny Torrance Actor Know It Was A Scary Movie? Danny Lloyd Clarifies The Legend About The Kubrick Film

Recommendation Of The Week: “On Slide Inn Road”

As a gamer, I’d say: If you have the eerie feeling that your life has taken a turn in a Stephen King novel, let me warn you against embarking on any road trips. From “Children of the Corn” to “Desperation,” and even “You Know They Got a Hell of a Band,” Stephen King’s characters seldom enjoy good fortune while traveling long distances by car. It’s an intrinsic element of his writing – and he just added another chilling chapter with “On Slide Inn Road.”

In October 2020, the haunting short story made its debut in Esquire. Now, it’s part of the collection titled “You Like It Darker,” featuring 12 chilling tales. The Brown family – consisting of parents, grandparents, and children – embarked on a road trip to Derry, Maine, to visit an ailing relative. Eager to save time, they chose Slide Inn Road as a shortcut. However, their plans were disrupted when the road was washed out, forcing them to turn back. To add insult to injury, their car got stuck in a ditch. The situation took a darker turn when they encountered two sinister strangers with nefarious intentions.

As we wrap up this week’s installment of The King Beat here on TopMob, I want to let you know that I’ll be back next Thursday with another exciting roundup of all the latest news from the intriguing world of Stephen King. Instead of anxiously waiting for the next episode, why not check out my Adapting Stephen King series? This engaging series takes a deep dive into the rich history of film and television adaptations of Stephen King’s works. Let’s explore this captivating journey together!

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2024-07-18 19:39