It’s hard to deny that the horror genre is having a good year. Already we’ve had numerous new stories, remakes and even some long awaited sequels. This November, one of those long awaited sequels will finally come to the big screen. Constant readers of Stephen King waited thirty-six years to get a sequel to the hit book The Shining. But horror fans have had to wait thirty-nine years to get a sequel to Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 classic adaptation. Finally fans of both will be getting the rated R sequel they deserve with Mike Flanagan’s Doctor Sleep.
Last night director Mike Flanagan revealed via Twitter, that the film was officially given an R rating by the MPAA. The reason: “disturbing and violent content, some bloody images, language, nudity and drug use.”
The film stars Ewan McGregor as the adult Danny Torrance. But Danny isn’t the only character we are seeing again. Carl Lumbly will play Dick Hallorann and Alex Essoe will be taking on the role of Wendy Torrance. Kyliegh Curran will play role of Abra Stone, a girl who also has the “shine.” Also joining the cast is Rebecca Ferguson, Bruce Greenwood, Alyn Lind, Jocelin Donahue and Jacob Tremblay. The film follows Dan Torrance as he struggles with alcoholism, and trauma from the Overlook Hotel. He hopes to put all of it behind him but that dream shatters when he meets Abra, a teen who shares his gift.
[Related] Director Mike Flanagan Says Season Two of ‘The Haunting’ is “Unbelievably Scary”
When the trailer was first released fans were stunned to see so much of Kubrick’s film reworked for the sequel. Even the original Danny Torrance, actor Danny Lloyd told THR that he approved. “It looked really good. I was curious since there is a fine line they have to walk with Stephen King and Stanley Kubrick. It looks like they found a way to pay tribute to both.”
King has also given the film his stamp of approval. Although he famously was not a fan of Kubrick’s interpretation.
You can check out the trailer for Doctor Sleep below. The world will shine again when this film comes to theaters on November 8th. What are you most excited to see in Doctor Sleep? Leave a comment below and let us know! Be sure to follow ScaryNerd for more of all things horror!
