Mike Flanagan’s Carrie star Matthew Lillard reveals why this new adaptation will be different 

Carrie, the Prime Video series, is under development and will start production in summer 2025. Mike Flanagan is adapting Stephen King's 1974 novel of the same name for television. However, this isn't the first time the novel has been adapted.

The novel Carrie has been adapted into four films already, and one might agree that a retelling of the horror story would be refreshing. Matthew Lillard, who is playing Principal Grayle in the upcoming TV series adaptation, said in an interview with The Kingcast that Mike Flanagan is retelling the story in his own way and also shared the reason why.

Mathew Lillard on Mike Flanagan's retelling of Carrie

In 1976, the Carrie novel was adapted into a film of the same name, which was directed by Brian De Palma. In 1999, Katt Shea directed a sequel to the 1976 film called The Rage: Carrie 2. Two more films adapting the same novel were made in 2002 and 2013 by David Carson and Kimberly Pierce, respectively.

The story has been told enough times for audiences to know that the novel and films are about a shy girl, Carrie, who is heavily bullied and suddenly gains telekinetic powers. She was raised by a highly religious mother, who thinks her daughter's powers come from Satan, and thus treats her terribly. Carrie finally takes revenge on her bullies while having to battle her mother and her orthodox opinions.

Matthew Lillard, who is playing Principal Grayle in the upcoming series adaptation, said in an interview with The Kingcast that Mike Flanagan is not going to retell the story as it has been done before. What Lillard says about Mike Flanagan's vision makes sense because after four adaptations, another identical one will not make much sense. We already know the story. Thus, changes in the story while keeping the core the same will fare better for the director.

Matthew Lillard said to The Kingcast about Mike Flanagan's retelling of King's 1974 novel, saying,

I read all eight episodes, which never happened. You never get to read everything upfront, but it's all written. And I think that what Mike's done again is taken the core of what Steve has written when he wrote Carrie, and adapted it in a way that honors what Stephen was going for early, and now he's making it relevant for kids today.

I don't that he would have done it if Mike didn't have a really clear, concise, direct refocus of what Carrie is. And nobody needs to see Carrie again. Mike sort of cracked the code, how its relevant now. The shot for shot Psycho [remake]...why would you do that? Just watch the original.

Till the time we get to see the core of King's novel get represented on screen, viewers will most likely not mind a refreshing retelling of the story. Since four films have already been made on the novel, a new perspective will be highly appreciated.

Another point to be noted is that in 1974 and when the first two films came out, the idea of telekinesis was fairly new in media. However, now audiences are more or less familiar with it. Thus, in 2025, while the themes of bullying and an orthodox mother are still relevant, a retelling is required when it comes to technology.

We don't know what exact changes Mike Flanagan has made in the story, but from Matthew Lillard's words, we can tell there will be some bold changes, hopefully for the better.

Production for the Carrie TV series starts this summer, the release date is yet to be announced.

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