Mike Flanagan is adapting the Stephen King story The Life of Chuck, which is good news for fans of both creators. Flanagan is the writer and director behind some of the most beloved Netflix horror series, from Midnight Mass to The Midnight Club and The Haunting of Hill House. He has also brought some of the best horror movies to life, including Hush and Before I Wake. His sensibility is perfect for the genre as he crafts compelling characters while indulging in plenty of scares.
While The Life of Chuck won't come out for a while, there are some plot and casting details that fans of Flanagan and King will want to know about. What is the movie going to be about and what can fans expect?
What Is The Life Of Chuck Based On?
The Life Of Chuck is based on Stephen King's novella collection called If It Bleeds. There are four stories in it called "Rat," "If It Bleeds," "The Life of Chuck," and "Mr. Harrigan's Phone." The latter story was adapted for Netflix and released in 2022.
In "The Life of Chuck" short story, there are three parts of the same story. "Act 1: I Contain Multitudes" follows Chuck as he becomes a fan of dancing while living with his grandparents when his parents have passed away. Chuck has a vision that when he turns 39, he will die from a brain tumor. In "Act 2: Buskers," Chuck has a headache and feels terrible after he dances with a love interest. In "Act 3: Thanks, Chuck," Chuck finds himself in a world that doesn't seem like it's going to last much longer. He dies in the hospital.
While there are many Stephen King stories that don't have movie adaptations, "The Life of Chuck" seems like a good choice. It's more poetic than some of King's usual work. It definitely has its scary moments, but it's more of a character study than some of his stories. It will be fascinating to see how this is adapted for film.
There's also the fact that Mike Flanagan has written and directed some incredible work over the years. Flanagan's many Netflix horror TV shows are all equally scary and fascinating, and he excels in crafting smart and likable characters who audiences care deeply about. He's definitely the right filmmaker to take on "The Life of Chuck."
Flanagan also wrote and directed the 2016 film Before I Wake, which is one of the most underrated movies of the 2010s. It features a main character played by Jacob Tremblay who has terrible nightmares and is grieving the death of his mother. Given that sad subject matter, it's clear that Mike Flanagan can adapt "The Life of Chuck" and delve into its heartbreaking and serious themes.
Who Is Starring In The Life of Chuck?
According to Deadline, Mark Hamill and Tom Hiddleston are starring in The Life of Chuck. No other actors seem to be attached to the project, and they are the only two stars on the film's IMDb page. Mike Flanagan is producing, directing, and writing, which is exciting for fans who love the trademarks in Flanagan's work.
It will be great to see such talented and acclaimed actors in The Life of Chuck. Mark Hamill, of course, is beloved for playing Luke Skywalker in Star Wars and also appeared in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. He is also starring in The Fall of the House of Usher, which is Flanagan's next horror series for Netflix.
Tom Hiddleston is known for playing Loki in the MCU and also the lead role in the Disney+ series. Hiddleston has other work on his resume, like playing F. Scott Fitzgerald in Midnight In Paris and Sir Thomas Sharpe in Crimson Peak, and it will be great to see him in such an emotional movie.
What Other Stephen King Stories Has Mike Flanagan Directed?
Mike Flanagan is no stranger to Stephen King's work, which makes it even more exciting that he's working on The Life Of Chuck. Flanagan directed the Stephen King movie Gerald's Game which was released in 2017. He also directed the 2019 film Doctor Sleep, which was the sequel to the beloved classic horror movie The Shining.
In an interview with Men's Health in 2022 before the release of his Netflix horror TV series The Midnight Club, Mike Flanagan shared that he wanted to adapt The Dark Tower. He said, "My dream project of all dream projects will always be Stephen King's The Dark Tower. That is the thing I want to make more than any other thing. And I will hope every day that there's a chance to do that."
The Dark Tower has been tough to adapt and Mike Flanagan is currently working on it. However, there isn't any recent news, and fans remain hopeful that the writer and director will be able to bring it to life. In the meantime, fans of both Mike Flanagan and Stephen King are excited to check out The Life of Chuck.