Mike Flanagan Confirms He’s Writing His New ‘The Mist’ and Promises “The Differences Start Page 1”

Stephen King adaptations have become something of a specialty for one particular filmmaker over the past decade, and fans have learned to trust his judgment even when he announces a new project that initially raises eyebrows. That trust gets tested every time he takes on material that already has a beloved, critically acclaimed version attached to it, and his latest undertaking is no exception.

News broke back in February that Mike Flanagan would be writing and directing a fresh adaptation of King’s 1980 novella ‘The Mist’ for Warner Bros. Pictures, reuniting him once again with the author whose work he’s adapted more consistently than perhaps any other filmmaker working today, following credits on ‘Gerald’s Game,’ ‘Doctor Sleep,’ ‘The Life of Chuck,’ and his upcoming ‘Carrie’ series. That announcement immediately stirred debate among horror fans given the story’s history.

Now Flanagan has confirmed he’s actively writing the screenplay himself, and he’s making clear this won’t simply be a retread of Frank Darabont’s acclaimed 2007 film. Speaking with Collider, Flanagan reiterated his stance on the new version, stating plainly: “This isn’t a retread. The differences start on page 1.”

Darabont’s 2007 adaptation, starring Thomas Jane and Marcia Gay Harden, has become a genuine cult favorite over the years, particularly remembered for its devastating, controversial ending that remains one of the most debated conclusions in modern horror cinema. That legacy is exactly what Flanagan has had to reckon with publicly since his own version was first announced.

Flanagan has been candid about his admiration for the original film while explaining his reasoning for approaching the material differently. Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, he called Darabont’s film “one of the most brutal movies I’ve ever seen,” specifically praising its “jaw-dropping” ending, before explaining that his own path into the story is fundamentally different. He described discussing the project directly with Stephen King, who also loves Darabont’s film, saying the key question they had to answer was simply: “Why are we doing this? What are we gonna do that justifies itself?”

Mike Flanagan says he is currently writing ‘THE MIST’, and his take will head in a very different direction from the start “This isn’t a retread. The differences start Page 1.” (@Collider) https://t.co/PV8n3KQ7xq

— Geek Vibes Nation (@GeekVibesNation) September 16, 2026

That reasoning echoes comments Flanagan made earlier via Bluesky, where he pointed out that he’s faced similar “but why” skepticism before taking on projects like ‘The Haunting of Hill House,’ ‘Bly Manor,’ ‘The Fall of the House of Usher,’ ‘Carrie,’ and even his ‘Exorcist’ installment, adding that he’s been fortunate throughout his career to only pursue projects he’s genuinely excited about.

The plot follows a small Maine town enveloped by a mysterious, otherworldly mist filled with deadly creatures, forcing a group of survivors to take shelter inside a local grocery store. As the situation outside grows increasingly dire, the story explores how the group’s own internal fear and paranoia can become just as dangerous as whatever’s lurking in the fog itself.

Early reporting suggests Flanagan’s version may lean further into cosmic horror elements and the emotional toll on those trapped inside, rather than treating the claustrophobic supermarket setting purely as a stage for societal breakdown the way Darabont’s film did. That shift in focus tracks with Flanagan’s broader tendency to use horror as a vehicle for deeper emotional and psychological exploration across his filmography.

With King having publicly praised Flanagan as his favorite director for adapting his work, and Flanagan now confirming the screenplay is actively in progress, this new ‘Mist’ appears to be moving forward with the same level of thoughtful reinvention that’s defined his previous King collaborations. Whether skeptical fans come around once the finished film arrives remains to be seen, but Flanagan’s track record suggests he’s earned at least the benefit of the doubt.

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