Mike Flanagan Confirms He Is Writing ‘The Mist’ and Promises a Unique Take

Director Mike Flanagan has established himself as a prominent figure in the realm of Stephen King adaptations, gaining recognition for his meticulous approach to translating the author’s unsettling narratives to the screen. His impressive portfolio includes works like ‘Gerald’s Game,’ ‘Doctor Sleep,’ and ‘The Life of Chuck,’ showcasing his ability to engage fans with King’s most chilling concepts.

Flanagan’s latest venture into King’s universe comes with significant expectations, as he takes on a story already associated with a highly acclaimed film. Frank Darabont’s 2007 adaptation of ‘The Mist’ is considered a modern horror classic, particularly known for its heart-wrenching conclusion that resonates deeply with genre enthusiasts.

This legacy has led to a mix of excitement and skepticism among fans regarding Flanagan’s new interpretation. Recently, during an interview with Collider at the Toronto International Film Festival, where he was promoting his Prime Video adaptation of ‘Carrie,’ Flanagan revealed that he is actively working on the screenplay for ‘The Mist,’ even dedicating time to it during his flight to the festival.

Originally published in the 1980 anthology Dark Forces and later included in the 1985 collection Skeleton Crew, King’s novella tells the story of a small town in Maine enveloped by a mysterious fog. Within this fog lurk deadly creatures, forcing a group of survivors to seek refuge in a local grocery store as they attempt to endure the peril.

The true horror of the narrative extends beyond the monsters lurking outside. As supplies run low and panic escalates, the trapped townspeople begin to fracture into factions, with mob mentality taking over and empowering extremists who become just as perilous as the creatures stalking them in the mist.

Flanagan mentioned to Collider that he aims to have the script ready around Halloween, although he was cautious about committing to a strict deadline, emphasizing that completing the screenplay does not immediately lead to production or casting announcements.

What Flanagan has made clear is his intention to forge a distinct path with this adaptation, rather than retracing Darabont’s steps. He has previously described the 2007 film as “wonderful” and “vicious,” indicating that he respects the original while seeking to create something new.

Flanagan envisions his version as a fresh creative direction inspired by the same source material, asserting that there is no need to remake something that already resonates. He has assured fans that his script will diverge from Darabont’s adaptation from the very first page. This reassurance is something he has had to provide before, facing similar inquiries regarding projects like ‘The Haunting of Hill House,’ ‘The Fall of the House of Usher,’ and his recent ‘Carrie’ series.

In addition to writing and directing ‘The Mist,’ Flanagan is producing the film through his Red Room Pictures alongside Tyler Thompson, with Spyglass’s Gary Barber and Chris Stone also on board as producers, and Alexandra Magistro serving as executive producer for Red Room.

Warner Bros. confirmed the project earlier this year, marking the third adaptation of King’s story following Darabont’s film and a short-lived television series in 2017. The original movie not only garnered critical acclaim but also achieved a worldwide gross of $57 million, maintaining a solid IMDb rating of 7.1 from over 371,000 voters, setting a high bar for Flanagan’s adaptation.

‘The Mist’ is just one of several projects on Flanagan’s plate, as he is also preparing for a new installment in “The Exorcist” franchise for Blumhouse and Universal Pictures, reportedly featuring Scarlett Johansson, which is expected to be his next film to enter production.

With this project and his ongoing adaptations of King’s works, Flanagan shows no signs of slowing down his exploration of horror’s most iconic narratives. Whether ‘The Mist’ will establish its own identity alongside Darabont’s version remains to be seen, but the screenplay is officially in progress.

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