Karen Gillan, fresh off her success as Nebula in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, is gearing up for her next significant role in the Stephen King adaptation, “The Life of Chuck.”
Teaming up with director Mike Flanagan, with whom she previously worked on the underrated horror film “Oculus,” Gillan is part of an impressive ensemble cast for this much-anticipated project.
Discussing the film with MovieWeb while promoting her latest coming-of-age drama, “Late Bloomers,” Gillan revealed that “The Life of Chuck” is not a traditional horror movie. Instead, she described it as a beautiful and experimental masterpiece that left a profound impact on her.
The Life of Chuck (Stephen King)
She said, “What’s interesting is that it’s not really horror. If you know the short story, you’ll know that. But it’s beautiful. I feel like he’s created a masterpiece. I’ve just never seen anything like it before. It’s sort of experimental and just gives you an existential crisis.”
Based on Stephen King’s novella from the anthology “If It Bleeds,” “The Life of Chuck” tells the reverse-chronological story of Charles Krantz, who dies of a brain tumor at 39. The narrative journeys back through his life, culminating in his childhood experience in a haunted house. The film’s cast includes notable names like Tom Hiddleston, Mark Hamill, Jacob Tremblay, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Harvey Guillén.
Tom Hiddleston, who plays the lead role, has compared the adaptation to “The Shawshank Redemption,” raising expectations for its emotional depth and narrative strength. Flanagan, known for his adept handling of King’s works, as demonstrated in “Gerald’s Game” (2017) and “Doctor Sleep” (2019), is poised to deliver another compelling adaptation.
The Life of Chuck (Stephen King)
King’s stories are notoriously challenging to translate to the screen due to their complex character arcs and deep psychological elements. However, Flanagan has shown a keen understanding of King’s narratives, earning praise from the author himself.
“The Life of Chuck” does not yet have a release date, but Gillan’s insights, coupled with Hiddleston’s high praise, have set high expectations for the film.
With Flanagan’s proven track record and a stellar cast, this adaptation promises to be a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant piece that expands beyond the horror genre, exploring existential themes and human connections. As anticipation builds, fans of Stephen King and Gillan alike are eagerly awaiting what seems to be a unique and powerful cinematic experience.
