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Mike Flanagan is one of the most reliable names in modern horror, and his long love affair with the works of Stephen King isn’t ending soon. The arrival of the first teaser for his Carrie series is not a surprise and another chance for the director to bring a King story to life. So why does it feel like fans are rolling their eyes and asking the question of why we are getting another Carrie remake?
The first look at the TV series based on King’s first novel was released by Prime Video this week, delivering an explosive and bloody glimpse of what looks like a smart-looking but “been-there, done-that” new version of the story of Carrie White. Summer H. Howell takes the title role, following in the footsteps of the likes of Sissy Spacek and Chloë Grace Moretz, with Samantha Sloyan as her religious and overbearing mother Margaret and Matthew Lillard as Principal Grayle. King himself is on board as an executive producer.
The biggest frustration for many fans is that Flanagan could have adapted any number of King novels that have yet to make it to screen, but instead has re-tread the path that began with Brian De Palma’s 1976 movie, continued through a 2002 TV movie, and received a remake in 2013, as well some sequels. As one of King’s most-adapted stories, Flanagan questioned why Carrie needed another remake himself when beginning this journey with Prime Video.
Flanagan has made it clear that his version of the story is not simply remaking De Palma’s movie or any other adaptation that has followed it. Instead, he has avoided what he called a “pointless” faithful adaptation and instead made something that is a little bolder, reimagining the story for modern audiences. This is something King has given his full approval of on his own social media accounts, and if King is excited about it, then fans should be to.
Carrie Is Really Flanagan’s Stop-Gap While He Waits to Start The Dark Tower
There is another reason why Flanagan’s adaptation of Carrie exists. After making a move from Netflix, where he created several outstanding horror shows like The Haunting of Hill House, to Amazon with a huge new deal, Stephen King fan’s asked whether he be making his dream project of The Dark Tower his priority with the streamer.
In short, no he would not. The Dark Tower is not a project that could be put together within a couple of years. Carrie, by contrast, is exactly the kind of low-effects movie to be made with a quicker turnaround time. Carrie is essentially a way for Flanagan to produce his first project for Amazon in a reasonable time before they fully commit to his Dark Tower vision. Flanagan has confirmed that The Dark Tower scripts are being written, but the story covers so many characters, some of which have rights that are tied up with other studios, that there are “many hurdles to be cleared” before we see Roland Deschain’s saga begin.
Flanagan has also been busy with several non-King projects that have also been taking up his time. He worked on the script for DC movie Clayface, and is set to direct the next reboot of The Exorcist. This means he is certainly not focusing on just his work with Prime Video or Stephen King projects – which is really a pity.
King fans have been dining well in recent years. Several of his best adapations have been made in the last decade, including the two-part It, Tom Hiddleston-starring The Life of Chuck (also a Flanagan movie), and The Long Walk. Maybe Carrie will turn out to be another masterstroke from Flanagan. Carrie will arrive on Prime Video this Halloween, and perhaps it just needs to be embraced, because its success would certainly grease the wheels to get the Dark Tower vehicle moving.
(featured image: Prime Video)
