Mike Flanagan’s Adaptation of Stephen King’s Revival is Dead Due To Budget Issues

Doctor Sleep ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½

Lump of coal in stocking for this one, but too bad that Mike Flanagan could not see his adaptation of the Stephen King novel Revival to completion.

Discussing his own time trying to adapt the book, Josh Boone mentioned that he had stars interested in being a part of the production, but while figuring out the logistics he discovered that the project would require too big a budget to be made properly in modern Hollywood. As it turns out, this was the exact same issue that Mike Flanagan discovered during his own behind-the-scenes journey with the material.

One Upcoming Stephen King Movie Adaptation Isn’t Happening Anymore, And I’m So Bummed Now – CINEMABLEND

The article doesn’t say, but I’m kind of curious how much Flanagan needed total if the budget he asked for required “$25 million more” … was it going to cost more than $100 million? That probably is too much unless the word “It” is in the title. Also, it’s stupid, anyway (see: $100+ Million Movie Budgets Are Stupid).

Filmmakers, listen up: if you can’t make your movies on a lower budget, especially in these times, maybe it’s time to rethink what viewers are most concerned about: not flashy CGI, exotic locations, de-aging tech and blowing up a zillion things.

(OK, maybe for a tentpole action film, maybe)

Instead, focus on the story, characters, heck, you don’t even need a lot of flashy sets if the story is great.

Speaking of King’s It, I’ve read rumors that King might be at least toying with the idea of an It sequel? I read lots of rumors and most of them don’t come true, so wouldn’t put much stock into this unless we hear it from an official source or perhaps King himself.

The bright side is there are a ton of King’s adaptations available to watch and more coming. Maybe someday Revival will be made. — perhaps on a reasonable budget too. $25 million more seems like a silly request to me in these times, despite how much I like and respect Mike Flanagan’s work.