Ewan McGregor is set to star in Stephen King’s The Shining sequel, Doctor Sleep.
According to Variety, the Scottish actor, 47, will be taking on the role of Dan Torrance, who is know all grown up following his horrifying ordeal at the Overhook Hotel 38 years ago.
Cementing its place as a horror classic, 1980’s The Shining, which was directed by Stanley Kubrick, starred Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance with six-year-old Danny Lloyd as his young son.
He’s back: Ewan McGregor, 47, is set to star as a grown-up Dan Torrance (originally played by Danny Lloyd- R) in Stephen King’s The Shining sequel, Doctor Sleep
The original movie was based on the best-selling horror story published in 1977 by Stephen King.
In The Shining, Jack Torrance went on a murderous rampage after being holed up with his wife (Shelley Duvall) and his son, who had psychic powers, in a haunted and remote hotel.
It has been thrilling audiences to this very day with its famously terrifying scenes – including the creepy twins and Wendy Torrance’s piercing screams as Jack hacked away at the door she was hiding behind.
The movie’s only peaceful solace happened to be adorable youngster Dan, whose story will now be continued by Ewan in the eagerly anticipated sequel.
Iconic: 1980’s The Shining, which was directed by Stanley Kubrick, starred Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance with six-year-old Danny Lloyd as his young son
Plot: In The Shining, Jack Torrance went on a murderous rampage after being holed up with his wife (Shelley Duvall) and his son, who had psychic powers, in a haunted and remote hotel
Horror role: In the sequel, Ewan will play adult Danny (now going by Dan) as he meets a little girl Abra Stone with psychic powers similar to his own
Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree: Doctor Sleep will reportedly see Ewan’s character Dan taking up his father’s legacy of anger and alcoholism
In the sequel, the adult Dan Torrance is working in a hospice, helping dying patients and earning the nickname Dr. Sleep.
He meets a little girl Abra Stone who also has psychic powers similar to his own and he gets caught up in a plot to kidnap her to gain control of her essence.
The story culminates with a fight on the site of the Overlook Hotel, the historic hotel that was the setting for The Shining.
According to Variety, Warner Bros. had been developing Doctor Sleep as well as The Shining’s prequel Overlook Hotel for years but struggled to secure financing for either project.
Dramatic: The story culminates with a fight on the site of the Overlook Hotel, the historic hotel that was the setting for The Shining
Horror writer: Stephen King, 70, published The Shining in 1977 and its sequel Doctor Sleep in 2013
But with the horror flick It earning more than $700 million worldwide for New Line last year, Doctor Sleep is now being fast-tracked into pre-production.
Doctor Sleep will be directed by Mike Flanagan, who helmed the horror movies Oculus, Absentia and Ouija: Origin of Evil.
Stephen first touted the idea for The Shining sequel on his website, back in 2009, asking if they would prefer a sequel to his eponymous 1977 tome or another book in his Dark Tower franchise.
Well known: Although the original flick initially had a slow start at the box office, it has since achieved cult status and is often rated in several ‘Best Horror Film’ lists
Fans gave the idea of a new Shining instalment a resounding thumbs up – leading to the popular 2013 follow-up book.
Although the original flick initially had a slow start at the box office, it has since achieved cult status and is often rated in several ‘Best Horror Film’ lists.
The movie is also famous for its catchphrase ‘Heeere’s Johnny,’ said by Nicholson’s character who famously chops down a door and sticks his head through it manically towards the end of the film.
Famous scene: The movie is also famous for its catchphrase ‘Heeere’s Johnny,’ said by Nicholson’s character who famously chops down a door and sticks his head through it manically towards the end of the film