Mike Flanagan’s inventive Stephen King spin-off idea, focused on Dick Hallorann, might get renewed attention in light of HBO’s recent hit horror series. The concept, which remains unproduced, underscores the enduring appeal of Stephen King’s storytelling universe and the high demand for interconnected horror tales.
Over the past two decades, Flanagan has cemented his reputation as one of today’s most skillful and creative horror directors. His signature style lies in transforming timeless themes from classic fiction, such as those penned by Stephen King, into deeply contemporary and unsettling stories. Even adaptations like Doctor Sleep have reflected his knack for respecting the source material while presenting it in a freshly compelling way.
Flanagan’s Ambitious Plan for a Shining Universe Spin-Off
Flanagan’s film Doctor Sleep, acting as a sequel to The Shining, earned praise from both moviegoers and critics for its faithfulness and innovation. However, despite strong reviews, the film underperformed at the box office. This result ended studio interest in a planned spin-off centered on Dick Hallorann, a pivotal character that links multiple Stephen King works, including The Shining, Doctor Sleep, and elements of IT.
Hallorann’s narrative potential intrigued Flanagan, who devised a story opening at the Overlook Hotel with Hallorann preparing for the winter caretaker’s arrival. Flanagan’s story would send Hallorann on a disturbing journey into Room 237, triggering memories of his traumatic past in Derry and his confrontations with the supernatural entity Pennywise.
The twist, as envisioned by Flanagan, involved Hallorann meeting not the Torrance family, as viewers would expect, but Delbert Grady along with his wife and twin daughters. This shift would offer the foundation for further spin-offs or sequels, threading yet more of King’s vast universe together.
Despite the creative promise, the spin-off was abruptly cancelled in the aftermath of Doctor Sleep’s disappointing box office returns. Reflecting on the outcome, Flanagan shared:
“On Monday they evaluated the box office performance and by Tuesday those (spinoffs) were dead. I understood why they they couldn’t proceed on those with with the box office that we did. It made sense. It was heartbreaking. It made sense. But yeah, that’s all kind of gone.”
— Mike Flanagan, Director
Flanagan’s comments express both his understanding of the commercial reality and his disappointment at the missed creative opportunity. The end of his envisioned Hallorann story suggests that new Stephen King spin-offs were put on indefinite hold, shelving what could have been notable additions to the genre.
HBO’s Welcome to Derry Demonstrates the Enduring Appeal
The strong debut of IT: Welcome to Derry on HBO has reignited conversations about expanded Stephen King adaptations. The show, highlighting a formative chapter in Dick Hallorann’s life, drew 5.7 million viewers within just three days, making it one of the network’s highest-rated premieres in recent years. The series not only traces Hallorann’s history in Derry, but also his chilling encounters with Pennywise, further emphasizing his significance in the wider King universe.
Through its focus on Hallorann, Welcome to Derry succeeds where other adaptations, such as Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, missed the opportunity to explore his deeper backstory or showcase his full heroism. Hallorann’s layered narrative proves compelling for both new and established fans of King’s work and highlights how fertile the horror master’s interconnected world remains for fresh explorations.
Flanagan’s proposed spin-off could benefit from the momentum generated by HBO’s series, demonstrating how intertwined stories can capture viewers’ imaginations decades after their initial publication or adaptation. While there are no concrete plans for Flanagan’s Hallorann film to move forward, the show’s success keeps hope alive that unproduced concepts like this Stephen King spin-off idea could find a new audience—and possibly a path to the screen—in the near future.
