Stephen King’s ‘Carrie’ Star Reveals Shocking Doubts About Her Audition With Brian De Palma

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In the role of Sissy Spacek, the esteemed actor who initially showcased her horror prowess in Brian De Palma’s 1976 adaptation of Stephen King’s novel Carrie, admitted she had doubts about securing the part following her audition. Given the indelible impression Spacek left as the ostracized high schooler, it’s hard to envision anyone else in the role. Nevertheless, the actress initially thought she hadn’t performed well during the screen test. Fortunately for us, De Palma recognized Spacek as the ideal choice.

At the yearly live broadcast of the Awards Chatter podcast, hosted by The Hollywood Reporter, Spacek was the invited guest. During their conversation about her professional journey, Spacek opened up about the movie ‘Carrie’ and revealed that the night before her audition, she experienced intense distress. The following day, she applied Vaseline to her hair and completely embraced the timid character of Carrie White. Nevertheless, upon exiting, she felt uncertain about her chances of success.

I thought, ‘He hates me. He’ll never want me in his film, and I’m not going to get this.’

Among many talented contenders, it was Brian De Palma who believed that Sissy Spacek was the ideal fit for the role in the film “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” penned by Lawrence D. Cohen. And oh boy, did she deliver a near-flawless portrayal of the character that stands tall among the greatest performances in Stephen King adaptations. Piper Laurie, as Carrie’s overbearing religious mother Margaret White, also gave an impressive performance that earned her a well-deserved nomination, just like Spacek. Both these extraordinary actresses were recognized by the Academy.

The consensus among critics is the same, and today, the film boasts a high rating of 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s often hailed as a groundbreaking masterpiece in the horror genre. Among Stephen King’s many adaptations, Carrie ranks very near the top.

Stephen King’s ‘Carrie’ Is Among His Most Frequently Adapted Works

The film version of Carrie by De Palma is one of several interpretations based on Stephen King’s book. Although the original will always be unmatched, numerous efforts have been made to retell the story for contemporary audiences. In 1999 and 2002, a sequel and a TV movie were launched, but they received mostly negative feedback. In 2013, Cohen returned as a writer to create a fresh adaptation alongside Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, yet the response from critics was merely lukewarm at best.

2024 saw the exciting news that a new take on “Carrie” was underway. This time, it’ll grace our TV screens as a mini-series, and who better to bring it to life than Mike Flanagan? After all, the man behind “The Haunting of Hill House” and “Midnight Mass” has shown he’s more than capable of doing justice to Stephen King’s stories. His impressive portfolio within the King universe includes “Gerald’s Game,” “Doctor Sleep,” and 2025’s “The Life of Chuck.” I, for one, can’t wait to see what he does with this iconic tale!

Filming is now commencing, and we’re optimistic that Summer H. Howell, who has been cast as Carrie White, will meet the challenge. The lead role in Resident Evil actress Siena Agudong is set to join the production as Sue Snell, while Matthew Lillard, known for his work on Scream, has been cast in an unspecified part. This modern take on Carrie will stick closely to the original plot but with some tweaks to keep it contemporary. Keep an eye out for further announcements.

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2025-05-19 04:06