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Mark Romanek to Direct ‘The Shining’ Prequel

‘Never Let Me Go’ director is in talks to helm Warner Bros.’ ‘Overlook Hotel,’ a prequel to the Stanley Kubrick classic ‘The Shining.’

Mark Romanek is in negotiations to direct Warner Bros.’ Overlook Hotel, a prequel to the Stanley Kubrick classic The Shining, according to a report by Variety.

Former Walking Dead showrunner Glen Mazzara recently completed a draft for the original story, with Mythology’s Brad Fischer, James Vanderbilt and Laeta Kalogridis producing.

Based on Stephen King’s original prologue to The Shining, which was cut from the book prior to publication in 1977, the film will tell the origin story of the Overlook Hotel through the eyes of its first owner, Bob T. Watson. A robber baron at the turn of the 20th century, Watson scaled the remote peaks of the Colorado Rockies to build the grandest resort in America, and a place he and his family would also call home.

Starring Jack Nicholson, the original Shining revolved around a writer who takes his family to an isolated hotel for the winter where an evil presence influences him to commit violent acts, while his psychic son sees horrific visions of the past and future.

In 2013, King published a Shining sequel “Dr. Sleep,” which Warner Bros. is also reportedly trying to get off the ground.

Romanek is also attached to direct Boston Strangler for the studio starring Casey Affleck. His most recent project was directing the Fox Searchlight feature Never Let Me Go.

Jennifer Wolfe's picture

Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.