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Mark Romanek to helm 'The Shining' prequel 'Overlook Hotel'

The plot is based on Stephen King's prologue to "The Shining," which was cut before publication.

By Annie Martin
Director Mark Romanek attends the premiere of the sci-fi romantic comedy motion picture drama "Her" at the Directors Guild of America (DGA) in Los Angeles on December 12, 2013. The Spike Jonze written and directed film tells the story of a lonely writer who develops an unlikely relationship with his newly purchased operating system to meet his every need. UPI/Jim Ruymen
Director Mark Romanek attends the premiere of the sci-fi romantic comedy motion picture drama "Her" at the Directors Guild of America (DGA) in Los Angeles on December 12, 2013. The Spike Jonze written and directed film tells the story of a lonely writer who develops an unlikely relationship with his newly purchased operating system to meet his every need. UPI/Jim Ruymen | License Photo

LOS ANGELES, July 18 (UPI) -- Mark Romanek is in negotiations to direct Overlook Hotel.

The movie is a prequel to The Shining (1980), and is based on Stephen King's original prologue for the book. The prelude was cut from the novel before its publication in 1977.

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The new film tells the origin story of the haunted hotel, and centers on its first owner, Bob T. Watson. The character was a robber baron at the turn of the 20th century.

Romanek is known for the creepy Robin Williams thriller One Hour Photo (2002), and more recently directed Keira Knightley, Carey Mulligan and Andrew Garfield in an adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro's novel Never Let Me Go (2010). Former Walking Dead showrunner Glen Mazzara penned the script for the prequel, and James Vanderbilt, Brad Fischer and Laeta Kalogridis will produce.

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