Mike Flanagan Admits He ‘Ripped Off’ Stephen King for This 2013 Horror Hit

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As a lifelong gamer and Stephen King fan, I can’t help but be excited about Mike Flanagan‘s latest confession. His newest revelation during Fantasia Fest that he “ripped off” King’s short story ‘1408’ for his hit movie ‘Oculus’ is just the cherry on top of an already impressive resume.

Mike Flanagan, the acclaimed filmmaker behind “Gerald’s Game” and “Doctor Sleep,” openly acknowledges his deep admiration for Stephen King. In an intriguing confession, he disclosed that his successful movie “Oculus” (released in 2013) was heavily influenced by King’s short story “1408.” Originally published in the audiobook collection “Blood and Smoke” in 1999, this chilling tale was later included in the 2002 compilation “Everything’s Eventual.” Despite being overlooked, it received a film adaptation in 2007 under Mikael Håfström’s direction, with John Cusack portraying Mike Enslin – a paranormal investigator who unwillingly spends a fateful night in a haunted hotel room.

During an interview with Fangoria editor Michael Gingold at Fantasia Fest (as reported by IndieWire), Flanagan discussed various topics including his 2013 film “Oculus” starring Karen Gillan and Brenton Thwaites. This project started as a short film in 2006, a year before Håfström’s adaptation of “1408” was released in theaters. When asked about the origins of his movie, Flanagan openly admitted that he drew heavily from King’s short story for its concept. In simpler terms, Flanagan acknowledged that he borrowed significantly from this paranormal tale when creating his film.

In plain terms: I genuinely wished to be a part of making “1408.” However, due to my insignificance in the industry and the fact that they had already started filming, it wasn’t an option for me. But if we swap out the hotel room for a mirror, you have the essence of Oculus. What intrigued me most about “1408” was its extensive backstory. That monologue was truly chilling to hear.

As a seasoned writer with a passion for crafting suspenseful stories, I’ve always been intrigued by tales that explore the supernatural. Having read and admired Stephen King’s “1408,” I found myself drawn to its captivating structure while working on my own short piece, titled “Oculus.”

Mike Flanagan Doesn’t Have to ‘Rip Off’ King Anymore

As a gamer and an avid fan of Stephen King’s stories, I’ve always dreamed of seeing some of his works brought to life on the big screen. And while Mike Flanagan acknowledged drawing inspiration from the master of horror for “Oculus,” he didn’t let that deter him from making those dreams a reality. He managed to transform some of my favorite King tales into official feature films, releasing three critically acclaimed movies in 2016 – “Hush,” “Before I Wake,” and “Ouija: Origin of Evil.”

Flanagan not only silenced his critics but did so impressively enough for “The Shining” (2017) to receive rave reviews, paving the way for him to direct “Doctor Sleep” in 2019, another adaptation of King’s work. Likewise, “Doctor Sleep” was praised by critics, showcasing Flanagan’s exceptional ability to bring King’s profound themes to the big screen since Reiner and Darabont’s tenures.

As a huge fan of Flanagan’s work, I’m thrilled to hear that he isn’t finished bringing Stephen King’s stories to life on the big screen just yet. This year at TIFF, we’ll get to see his latest adaptation, “The Life of Chuck.” But that’s not all – there’s still “The Dark Tower” project in the works. Contrary to some rumors suggesting development issues, Flanagan assures us that progress is being made and things are moving forward at a steady pace he had anticipated when he acquired the rights to King’s masterpiece back in 2022.

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2024-07-29 18:32