Stanley Kubrick is a director that established his legacy in Hollywood, while Stephen King is one of the best horror fiction writers ever. When the two are brought together, one can expect nothing short of phenomenal deliveries. That is exactly what The Shining was. Released in 1980, this particular film is still talked about and still remains one of the best horror films ever made. In fact, The Shining has influenced so many filmmakers and went on to define the horror genre.

With all the remakes that are taking place, it would not be a shocker if this particular film gets its own remake. Of course, it will never be equated with the original, as one can never replicate Kubrick’s attention to meticulous details. Also, the remake will have a different take on the characters, as the actors of the original film had their own contributions when it comes to carving out the characters. Nonetheless, there are several actors who might be able to bring in a whole new delivery of The Shining.

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Jack Torrance - Joaquin Phoenix

     Warner Bros. Pictures

Originally played by Jack Nicholson, this character gave nightmares to many viewers. The capturing of Torrance’s deteriorating mental state cannot be performed by any actor. However, Joaquin Phoenix might be one that will be able to do justice to the role. The extreme lengths that Phoenix went to while portraying Arthur Fleck in Joker are evident enough to show how he is able to convert the mental trauma and deterioration into a performance. Moreover, there is a certain level of similarity between Arthur Fleck and Jack Torrance, as both enter psychotic outbreaks and go on a murdering rampage.

Wendy Torrance - Florence Pugh

     A24, Nordisk Film

There are some controversies in relation to the film’s impact on Shelley Duvall as it has had a negative impact on the actor’s mental health. Duvall played Wendy, “the tough but naive cheerleader-esque wife and mother… whose mental health in the book is twisted by terror”. Playing Wendy is as hard as playing Jack, as both portrayals require mental strength, as it can take a toll on it. One actor who might be able to take on this challenge might be Florence Pugh. Her portrayal of Dani in Midsommar shows how she is able to tackle the task of converting mental terror into physical gestures. Moreover, her upcoming role in Don’t Worry Darling, which is yet another psychological thriller, clearly indicates she might be one of the best actors to take over Wendy Torrance.

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Danny Torrance - McKenna Grace

     Neon, 30West

Originally portrayed by Danny Lloyd, Danny is Jack and Wendy’s son who has supernatural psychic abilities. In the film, Danny seems to be a shy, withdrawn child with an imaginary friend. Having someone like McKenna Grace portray this character would be a brilliant new take on the original character of Danny. Grace has become a rising star who does not fail to surprise the audience. She has portrayed diverse characters and therefore, might be ideal to take over Danny’s role.

Dick Hallorann - Daniel Kaluuya

     Universal Pictures

Hallorann, played by Scatman Crothers, is portrayed as somewhat of a savior. What makes this character so likable is his approachable and kind nature. Interestingly, Daniel Kaluuya is one actor that might be able to take over this role. His performance in Nope is one good example of his ability in taking over characters who go head-on to save others.

Lloyd the Bartender - Timothee Chalamet

The creepy bartender who seems to be haunting the Overlook hotel. Lloyd’s brief encounter with Jack is enough to show his invisible presence as he is portrayed as a listener as opposed to an active participant in conversations. Timothee Chalamet might be one actor that can take on Lloyd. Chalamet has a diverse range and the addition of a creepy bartender might just be what is missing.

Grady Twins - Dafne Keen

     20th Century Fox

The twins that haunt almost every viewer. One might even encounter them during the Halloween season. The Grady twins are ghosts that Danny runs into. They barely have any dialogue, but their mere presence and emotionless faces can leave a lasting impression. Dafne Keen, who is known for her role in Logan, might be an ideal choice. The reasoning is that her character of Laura is someone who has moments of being emotionless and expressionless, and Keen perfectly captures this.

Delbert Grady - Christian Bale

      Lions Gate Films (United States) & Columbia TriStar Film Distributors International (International)

The former caretaker of the hotel, a murderer, and the one who urges Jack Torrance to “finish his duty”, Grady is undeniably the scariest ghost in the film. Given that Christian Bale is already known for portraying a psychotic murderer in American Psycho, he might be able to bring in his experience into creating an even scarier Delbert Grady.

Stuart Ullman - George Clooney

     Warner Bros. Pictures (North America) & Summit Entertainment (International)

This specific character has very limited screen time and is only seen at the beginning of the film, when everything seems “normal”. George Clooney might be the perfect actor to bring in the much-needed normalcy to the film, in order to balance the menace and insanity. Clooney’s calm-looking demeanor would be an additional point.