Mike Flanagan, renowned for redefining modern horror storytelling with projects like The Haunting of Hill House and Hush, has established a strong rapport with Stephen King through his successful adaptations of King’s works, notably Gerald’s Game and Doctor Sleep. These films showcased Flanagan’s ability to tackle challenging source material. However, during a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter about his forthcoming adaptation of King’s The Life of Chuck, he revealed a project that slipped through his fingers — his intended adaptation of King’s 2014 novel Revival.
Flanagan shared his regrets about the project, particularly highlighting his affection for the script he penned, calling it one of his greatest works. Yet, the project ultimately fizzled out, primarily due to his concurrent work on The Dark Tower series. King has a strict policy regarding the number of adaptations he allows an individual to pursue at once, which left Flanagan unable to hold onto both properties simultaneously.
Revival, a highly regarded title among King’s later novels, revolves around the life of Jamie Morton and his complex relationship with Charles Jacobs, a charismatic preacher. The narrative explores themes of tragedy, addiction, and the darker aspects of existence, making it a rich but potentially complex story to adapt for the screen. Flanagan previously secured the rights to bring Revival to life in 2020 with Warner Bros., but that endeavor fell apart, leading him to focus on other projects like The Fall of the House of Usher.
Now the question looms—could Flanagan revisit Revival in the future? As he wraps up The Life of Chuck, he finds himself in a position where he no longer has two King adaptations hanging in limbo. While The Dark Tower continues to evolve, the landscape remains open for potential projects, including Revival. It is worth noting that Flanagan is not alone in recognizing the potential of this material—Josh Boone, known for The New Mutants, also attempted to adapt it, even casting Russell Crowe in the lead role before that version stalled.
As Flanagan gears up for his upcoming Exorcist movie set for release in 2026 and progresses on The Dark Tower, the revival of his adaptation of Revival seems uncertain, at least in the short term. Nevertheless, the script is completed, and given the immense popularity of King adaptations in contemporary cinema, it is not beyond the realm of possibility that this project could resurface in the coming years. While the immediate future may not hold promises for Revival, the enthusiasm for the material remains, suggesting that the door could eventually reopen for Flanagan’s take on this haunting tale.
