Key Takeaways:
– Director Mike Flanagan borrowed inspiration from Stephen King's short story 1408.
– His fascination with 1408 led to the creation of his 2013 movie Oculus.
– Flanagan admits to “ripping off” 1408 to develop Oculus.
– In turn, Oculus became inspiration for Flanagan's TV adaptation of The Haunting of Hill House.
Famed genre filmmaker Mike Flanagan has risen to impressive heights in bringing Stephen King's literary masterpieces to life on screen for audiences worldwide. With successful adaptations of Gerald's Game and Doctor Sleep under his belt, Flanagan recently completed a feature of King's short story The Life of Chuck. Additionally, his production company, Intrepid Pictures, is developing a TV series based on King's massive saga The Dark Tower, set to air on Amazon's Prime Video.
But there's one Stephen King tale Flanagan desired to adapt but never got the opportunity – the short story 1408. This gripping tale was turned into a noteworthy 2007 film featuring Hollywood biggies, John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson. However, Flanagan didn't let the missing opportunity dim his creativity. He went on to use the core idea of 1408 while crafting his hit 2013 film, Oculus.
Mike Flanagan Speaks on Inspiration
In a candid Q&A with Fangoria's editor Michael Gingold at Fantasia Fest, Flanagan expressed his admiration for the storyline of 1408 and confessed how it influenced his creation of Oculus. The Skeptic protagonist of 1408 who gets trapped in the haunted room was transitioned into an eager believer protagonist trying to validate his theories in Flanagan's movie.
In Oculus, adult siblings Kaylie and Tim, who have endured the heartache of tragically losing their parents ten years prior, are attempting to mend ties. Kaylie is firm in her belief that the Lasser Glass, their antique mirror, is the reason behind their tragedy. Unbeknownst to the siblings, the seemingly harmless reflection of the mirror is a manifestation of a malevolent, supernatural force capable of infecting the mind.
The Haunting of Hill House – A Nod to Oculus
Interestingly, Flanagan's creative adaptations didn't end with the similarity between 1408 and Oculus. His filming experience with Oculus prepared him for his next venture, The Haunting of Hill House TV series. His idea was to expand the 90-minute haunting novel into a 10-hour TV series, essentially using the format of Oculus but involving five siblings instead of two.
Flanagan's creative journey from drawing inspiration from Stephen King's 1408, to masterfully crafting Oculus, and his ability to further extend the concept in The Haunting of Hill House, proves his prowess in the realm of genre filmmaking.
To readers, what are your thoughts on Flanagan using 1408 as a groundwork for Oculus, and subsequently as a base for The Haunting of Hill House? Let us know your viewpoints in the comments below.
In conclusion, the intriguing journey that began with the fascination of 1408 has spiraled into a web of popular TV shows and movie adaptations, cementing Mike Flanagan as a deft creative mind in the industry. His passion for storytelling and the art of filmmaking clearly reflect in his works, building anticipation for what he may conjure next in his creative realm.
