Mike Flanagan Explains How He Got Stephen King’s Approval for ‘Carrie’ TV Show Despite Making Major Changes

As a seasoned gamer who’s spent countless hours immersed in various virtual worlds, I can confidently say that Mike Flanagan‘s latest venture into the realm of Stephen King’s Carrie is not just another level on the difficulty setting. It’s a whole new game with fresh challenges and intriguing twists.


Lately, it’s been revealed that Mike Flanagan is creating a TV show adaptation of Stephen King’s novel “Carrie” for Amazon MGM Studios. This series offers a new perspective on the life of Carrie White, a timid high school girl who endures her overbearing mother. Following the death of her father, Carrie encounters torment at school, a town-shocking scandal, and the realization of her formidable telekinetic powers.

Flanagan takes on the roles of writer, executive producer, and showrunner for the television series. Additionally, Trevor Macy is involved as an executive producer. Melinda Nishioka handles the project for Intrepid Pictures.

In a recent chat with MovieWeb, Flanagan discussed how he managed to secure the rights for the series even though significant alterations were made to the original content.

When initially approached by Amazon regarding the adaptation of Carrie, Flanagan expressed curiosity as to why another version was necessary, given that earlier adaptations had already proven successful.

What’s the reason for another iteration? The narrative of Carrie White revolves around high school violence and bullying, a subject that resonates powerfully in today’s context, regrettably, with an uncanny contemporary relevance that might have been less pronounced when it was first penned. This situation seems to present an opportunity for genuine updating, transcending mere temporal shifts, and utilizing the story as a platform to discuss the pressing issues that American high school students face today.

As a gamer, I’ve always found the character Carrie White intriguing, and I can’t help but wonder what her social media presence would be like. You know, the iconic locker room scene from the movie takes on a whole new dimension when you consider everyone glued to their phones instead of just gazing at each other. This thought sparked an idea: there’s a lot that could be explored about Carrie White in today’s digital age that would be incredibly relevant and engaging.

Flanagan shared that he altered the initial Carrie tale substantially in order to make it resonate more with our contemporary society. Prior to starting on this venture, he sought and received approval from Stephen King, as he was unwilling to proceed without King’s consent.

Initially, King had some reservations, questioning whether retelling the tale was necessary. However, after appreciating Flanagan’s unique approach, he believed it could indeed be both meaningful and engaging.

We’ve made significant alterations to the original story in order to make it feel compelling and worth telling. However, these changes were quite substantial. When I presented it to Stephen King, since his approval is crucial (as if he refuses, the project won’t move forward), we wouldn’t proceed with it.

Initially, when I brought up the idea to him by saying, “What are your thoughts on Carrie for television?”, he responded skeptically, saying, “Why? Let her be. She’s accomplished enough; I prefer we explore other topics instead.” However, once I shared a rough concept of how it could play out, his perspective changed. He later agreed, stating, “Actually, I find this intriguing. I believe it has potential to be highly relevant and exciting.

That’s when I enthusiastically proposed, “Let’s make this happen!” I can’t reveal much more than that we’ve gathered in the writers’ room, but let me tell you, it’s been an exhilarating experience so far. I have a feeling we’re going to craft a narrative that will captivate and resonate with our contemporary society, addressing issues that matter deeply within our nation. It promises to be thought-provoking and relevant, a story that will undoubtedly make an impact.

As I craft this tale, I often glance at my eldest, who’s fourteen, and believe it’s significant for his era. There are elements within it that I fervently hope will prove helpful to him in navigating our world. Indeed, I’m incredibly content with the endeavor. It’s a joyous ride!

Flanagan expressed his surprise when Carrie turned out to be something he felt strongly about, much like he had originally been uncertain about adapting The Turn of the Screw for The Haunting of Bly Manor. Initially, he questioned whether he should tackle these widely recognized tales, but once he discovered a fresh perspective, he understood that they still held value and deserved to be told.

He shares the same enthusiasm towards Carrie, as he’s thrilled since the novel strategy promises a refreshing and unexpected experience for viewers.

The topic has been revisited numerous times, but it seems tired. Yet, we discovered a unique angle that resonated with us: “Definitely, this is a tale worth sharing.” Therefore, I believe the exploration will captivate many, and I anticipate it to be quite unexpected.

Source: MovieWeb

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2024-11-10 12:44