A Place for Thrill Seekers: The Shining Series
For all the horror fans out there, the world of fright and fantasy comes alive in ‘The Shining.’ Not just a famous Stephen King novel, but also a popular film by the genius Stanley Kubrick. The magnetic charm of ‘The Shining’ captivates all who dare to delve into it.
King’s Unhappy Tryst with Movie Casting
Stephen King, the genius behind the novel, didn’t really see eye-to-eye with Kubrick’s choice of the star cast. The character of Jack Torrance, at the heart of ‘The Shining’, was played rather aggressively by the legendary Jack Nicholson. King saw Torrance as an ordinary guy, a regular dad, who slowly turns into a terrifying creature. This was a vision not quite suited to Nicholson’s larger-than-life persona.
Enter Steven Weber: A More Relatable Jack Torrance
Steven Weber was then brought on board to play Jack Torrance in the TV mini-series. Known for his stint on the sitcom ‘Wings’ as Brian Hackett, Weber’s background in comedy brought a more human feel to the character, aligning more aptly with King’s original vision.
A Fun Interaction with Stephen King
Weber joined the ‘Inside of You’ podcast for a fun episode where he shared a delightful story about his interaction with King. Filming the mini-series gave Weber the unique opportunity to read the novel with King close at hand. So, Weber took the chance to seek King’s take on some of the more perplexing parts of the novel.
Interestingly, instead of a comprehensive or profound response, King’s straightforward answer left Weber both amused and somewhat let down. Nonetheless, Weber admired King’s approach, fondly calling him a ‘great guy’.
Bringing You the Blu-ray Experience
Great news for fans—’The Shining’ mini-series is now up for a Blu-ray release by Scream Factory. This fresh release provides a superior 2K restoration visual quality. It also features audio commentary by Stephen King himself, along with actors Steven Weber, Cynthia Garris and Director Mick Garris. Including 11 extra scenes and English subtitles, it’s a package worth not missing out on.
A Brief Overview of the Plot
The mini-series chronicles the story of Jack Torrance and his family as they move to the expansive, yet deserted Overlook Hotel. Torrance seeks to leave behind his tumultuous past marked by alcoholism and violent tendencies. But the unsettling hotel spirits do not plan to let the family live in peace. The spine-chilling narrative, spooky messages and mysterious happenings bring King’s imagination terrifyingly alive.
So, buckle up and step into the horrifyingly gripping world of ‘The Shining,’ and stay ready to quench your horror cravings. Regardless of whether you’re a Stephen King enthusiast or an avid horror lover, ‘The Shining’ mini-series, with its unique twist on the character of Jack Torrance and King’s hands-on involvement, is definitely a must-watch. So, grab your popcorn, get comfy and kickstart this thrill-packed adventure!
For more details, visit Project Casting Blog on https://www.projectcasting.com/blog/news/diving-into-the-shining-mini-series-with-actor-steven-weber/