As a die-hard Stephen King enthusiast who’s been following Mike Flanagan‘s adaptations since the days of “Absentia,” I can’t help but feel a pang of sorrow when I hear about projects like “Revival” that almost were, but never came to be. The tale of Charles Jacobs and Jamie Morton is one that could have been a chilling masterpiece in Flanagan’s hands, with its dark ending reminiscent of King’s most haunting works, including the infamous “Pet Sematary.”
Despite an abundance of upcoming Stephen King adaptations on the horizon, a significant number of enticing projects regrettably failed to materialize onto our screens. One such book-to-screen adaptation I eagerly awaited was Revival, with horror mastermind Mike Flanagan originally slated to direct. Unfortunately, it didn’t pan out, and the creator of The Haunting of Hill House has recently shared his thoughts on this project that eluded him.
The narrative of “Revival” unfolds around the character of Charles Jacobs, a preacher who develops an intense fascination with electrical healing methods, and Jamie Morton, a curious young lad captivated by Jacobs’ uncommon abilities. Multiple endeavors to transform “Revival” into a film have been undertaken, with Josh Boone (director of “New Mutants”) initially attempting it, followed by Mike Flanagan expressing interest in the project around early 2020.
At FAN EXPO Canada’s Echoes From Hill House: A Haunting Panel, as reported by Screen Rant, the director of “The Fall of the House of Usher” entertained fans with intriguing behind-the-scenes insights. He expressed his regret for what could have been if the film’s production hadn’t encountered issues, expressing his enthusiasm for the potential outcomes.
I penned a script inspired by the novel “Revival,” which I adore. Let me tell you, it’s a real dark ride. We wrapped up the ending, and if you’ve read it, you know it’s one of the most haunting and grim finales Stephen King has ever crafted – even compared to Pet Sematary. It’s gloomy, but I couldn’t help but appreciate that script. Whenever someone asks me about unfinished business or my ghost limb in a creative sense, I’ll always think of Revival.
It was clear that Flanagan held high regard for the project, and his fervor as a Stephen King enthusiast, shown by his previous adaptations, might have made this subsequent statement carry a sharper impact than other explanations for the studio’s decision to step back. In his own words:
After wrapping up Doctor Sleep with Warner Brothers, my script for it was completed. Unfortunately, Doctor Sleep underperformed at the box office. Despite my immense pride in the film, and hearing from fans that it’s gaining traction over time, it didn’t meet the studio’s expectations. Consequently, many projects we had in development with Warner Brothers were shelved, and Revival was among them.
Even though there’s this temporary halt, fans need not give up completely. The movie Ouija: Origin of Evil has given us a hint that the project could potentially be reborn, or as it were, experience a resurgence if all goes well. In simpler terms, he suggested a possible comeback for the project in the future.
1. I’ve been pained by its loss since then, as I don’t possess the rights to it; it disappeared. Steve is careful not to burden a filmmaker with too much work, as something might stall in progress. There are other Stephen King properties I’m connected to that were given priority over this one, and we opted to advance those instead of trying to find another home for Revival. We relinquished it, but my longing for that film will always linger. Perhaps it returns someday; you never know with such projects.
Although director Mike Flanagan expresses regret that the project “Revival” did not get made, his comments hint that the story may still unfold. With numerous adaptations of Stephen King’s novels and short stories underway, there is hope that Flanagan will realize his vision. If it doesn’t happen in film format, whispers suggest “Revival” could become a television series, which, considering the book’s richness, seems quite feasible.
Mike Flanagan consistently demonstrates a knack for bringing Stephen King’s stories to life on screen, with standout adaptations like “Gerald’s Game” and “Doctor Sleep.” Despite box office performance, his work remains noteworthy. Upcoming projects include “The Life of Chuck,” slated for release in 2024 on September 6, and Flanagan has also secured the rights to adapt King’s “The Dark Tower” series, promising continued collaborations between the two in the future.
Explore our updated calendar for the newest theatric presentations, as well as a preview of the 2025 movie calendar, to keep yourself informed about all the forthcoming horror films.
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2024-08-28 01:37