Why Mike Flanagan MUST Adapt Joe Hill’s Heart Shaped Box NOW!

Summary

Mike Flanagan is known for optimistic horror storytelling, like The Haunting of Hill House.
Flanagan has adapted several works by Stephen King and could turn his eye to Joe Hill’s material.
A film adaptation of Joe Hill’s debut novel, Heart-Shaped Box, has been stuck in development hell for years.

Over the last ten years or so, Mike Flanagan has earned a reputation as one of the most prominent figures in the field of horror storytelling. His projects such as “The Haunting of Hill House”, “Midnight Mass”, “Hush”, “Oculus”, and “The Fall of the House of Usher” have established him as a sought-after writer/director within the genre. Unlike many other horror creators, Flanagan’s work tends to be more optimistic than typical, setting him apart from his peers in the industry.

One notable feature of Flanagan’s career involves his frequent adaptations of Stephen King’s literary works. This pattern started with the 2017 movie “Gerald’s Game,” which was based on King’s 1992 novel of the same title. Following this, in 2019, Flanagan released “Doctor Sleep,” an adaptation of King’s 2013 novel with the same name. Flanagan’s affinity for adapting King’s work persists, as evidenced by his recent release, “The Life of Chuck,” and his current projects, which include adaptations of both “Carrie” and “The Dark Tower” for Amazon. Considering this trajectory, it’s intriguing to contemplate if Flanagan might shift from adapting King’s works to adapting the work of Stephen King’s son, Joe Hill.

Joe Hill, AKA Joseph Hillström King, Is Stephen King’s Son And A Prolific Writer Himself

Like Father, Like Son

Joe Hill, who is actually Joseph Hillström King, the second child of Stephen King, has adopted the pen name ‘Hill’. Throughout his career, he’s penned various novels, short stories, screenplays, and comic books. His upcoming novel, titled “King Sorrow“, is slated for release in October 2025.

While Hill’s novels have garnered significant recognition, he is arguably most famed for his work in horror comics. In fact, the enduring and award-winning “Locke & Key” series was adapted into a Netflix television show as recently as 2019. The acclaim that “Locke & Key” received paved the way for Hill to pen other successful comic book series such as “The Cape”, “Basketful of Heads”, and “Plunge”.

Heart-Shaped Box Is Joe Hill’s Debut Novel That Was Released In 2007

Wonder If He Likes Nirvana?

Following the successful publication of Joe Hill’s short story collection “20th Century Ghosts” in 2005, his novel “Heart-Shaped Box” was released in 2007. This novel centers around an aging rock star with a fascination for macabre artifacts. His interest leads him to a purportedly haunted funeral suit found online. Unable to resist, the waning celebrity buys the suit, which is said to be haunted by the spirit of the deceased man.

Upon reaching his doorstep, the long-awaited suit is nestled within – surprise, surprise – a heart-shaped container. However, things take a turn for the ominous when it’s revealed that this suit is cursed, leading to a cascade of events delving into some sinister territories. In essence, it’s exactly the kind of narrative you’d associate with a Stephen King progeny. Notably, the novel is divided into four distinct sections, each named after songs by Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Nine Inch Nails, and Pearl Jam. The title of the book itself is borrowed from a song by Nirvana (of course).

Mike Flanagan Would Be The Perfect Person To Adapt Heart-Shaped Box

Even If He Is A Little Busy At The Moment

Interestingly enough, the book “Heart-Shaped Box” has been planned for adaptation ever since it was first published. Warner Bros. obtained the rights to the novel as early as 2007, with Avika Goldsman, known for her work on “A Beautiful Mind,” “Fringe,” and “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,” set to produce. Neil Jordan, who directed successful films such as “The Crying Game” and “Interview with the Vampire” in the ’90s, was initially chosen to write and direct the project. However, it’s reasonable to assume that the financial disappointments of “The Brave One” (2007) and “Ondine” (2009) may have led Warner Bros. to reconsider their decision.

The movie version of “Heart-Shaped Box” has been stalled in pre-production for quite some time now, despite several other works by the same author being successfully adapted for both TV and film. For instance, “Locke & Ley” and “NOS4A2” became TV series, while “Horns”, “In the Tall Grass”, and “The Black Phone” were turned into movies. However, “Heart-Shaped Box” remains entangled in a creative quagmire.

In my perspective, I believe Flanagan would be ideal for bringing this tale to life on the silver screen, provided he could fit it into his busy schedule. A glimpse at works like “The Haunting of Hill House” demonstrates this aptitude, as both “Hill House ” and “Heart-Shaped Box ” delve deeply into how past familial traumas take on supernatural forms. Flanagan’s 2007 debut novel, while not strictly a horror narrative, offers a unique blend of paranormal elements and human stories – a skill set that this story seems to require.

Mike Flanagan seems perfectly suited to bring the movie “Heart-Shaped Box” out of development limbo. Fingers crossed that he has the opportunity to make it a reality.

2025-07-06 23:06