Ewan McGregor Says ‘Shining’ Sequel Is a ‘Faithful’ Adaptation, So Stephen King Might Like It More Than Kubrick’s Film
Zack Sharf
Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining” is quite different from the Stephen King novel it is based on, which is the primary reason the legendary horror author disliked the film adaptation. King famously called Kubrick’s movie a “poor adaptation” and one of the only movie adaptations of his work that he actively didn’t enjoy. Fortuantely, King should be able to rest easy with the upcoming “Doctor Sleep” movie, based on his “Shining” sequel novel.
Ewan McGregor, who is playing an adult Danny Torrance in the horror film, recently spoke with USA Today (via CinemaBlend) about his role in Disney’s “Christopher Robin,” but the actor couldn’t help bust tease “Doctor Sleep” when asked whether or not he thought King would like the film. “Doctor Sleep” is being directed by Mike Flanagan, a horror favorite after genre efforts like “Oculus” and “Hush.”
“I think he felt ‘The Shining’ wasn’t a faithful adaptation of his book,” McGregor said. “Our script is faithful to his novel. But for one thing. And I’m not going to give anything away.”
King’s love of the “Doctor Sleep” film could depend on what exactly that one change is McGregor teases, although the actor assures the sequel film is more faithful than Kubrick’s take on King’s first novel. “Doctor Sleep” catches up with with Danny Torrance years after the events of “The Shining.” The character is now an alcoholic whose “shining” powers return when he begins to embrace sobriety. Torrence starts using his gift to communicate with the dying at a local hospice center, and his story takes a turn after he meets a young girl who also has “shining” powers.
“I’m reading Stephen King’s novel every day and I’m really enjoying it,” McGregor said about the prep for the role. “There are points where Stephen has written a bit, and I’m going, ‘Oh, that’s not right. I don’t think that’s quite [Danny]. Like, now I’m already thinking I know the character more than Stephen King.”
“Doctor Sleep” is set to co-star Rebecca Ferguson, Carl Lumbly, and Alex Essoe. The film is tentatively scheduled for a January 24, 2020 release via Warner Bros.
