A crucial question regarding about Mike Flanagan's film adaptation of Doctor Sleep, Stephen KIng's sequel to The Shining, has been answered. It will, in some form, acknowledge Stanley Kubrick's 1980 horror classic.

Flanagan confirmed to Bloody Disgusting that his movie, which is a sequel to King's novel than Kubrick's film, will make reference to the adaptation, however minor. In fact, he believes it's incumbent that he do so.

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“Yeah, I think you do,” Flanagan said. “I think you do have to acknowledge that. There is no version of the world where I am trying not to acknowledge one of the greatest films ever made. There’s no upside in shying away from that reality.”

But, he asserted Doctor Sleep will be unique and not a mere retread of old material, saying, "this is not The Shining."

“It’s its own story and in a very specific way," Flanagan said. "If you’ve read the book, you know exactly why it’s so different but it’s quite a tightrope that we’re walking I think."

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Kubrick notoriously had creative differences with King, and changed many details for his film, including the ending. Decades later, The Shining was remade as a TV miniseries that was closer to King's vision.

Doctor Sleep, which centers on the adult Danny Torrence, years after the traumatic events at the Overlook Hotel, stars Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Ferguson, Carl Lumbly, Alex Essoe and Zarn McClarnon. It's scheduled for release on Jan. 24, 2020.