Director Mike Flanagan, the creative force behind titles such as The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass, and Doctor Sleep, has revealed his interest in taking the helm of a new Jaws film, the saga Steven Spielberg launched in 1975. The filmmaker is well aware that no sequel has yet managed to equal the original, but he believes there is still room to tell a great horror story featuring cinema's most famous shark.
The statement comes shortly after the release of his adaptation of Carrie for Prime Video on October 7, and at a time when Flanagan has established himself as one of the most influential names in modern horror, which gives weight to any project he mentions publicly.
A Q&A session that revealed his dream franchises
During a Reddit Q&A session organized by Prime Video to promote Carrie, Flanagan spoke about the sagas he would like to get involved with. The director admitted that for much of his career, he deliberately avoided sequels and major franchises, which contrasts with his recent trajectory, increasingly linked to recognizable horror properties.
It was in that context that he mentioned Jaws as one of his dream projects. As he explained, he would love to work in a universe he deeply admires, contributing his own vision without pretending to equal Spielberg's original, which he considers practically impossible. In his own words, there is plenty of room to improve upon the sequels that followed the first film.
The filmmaker did not stop there. He also expressed his desire to transform Jurassic Park into a genuine horror experience, moving away from the adventure and spectacle tone that has predominated in the latest installments of the dinosaur saga.
Why might Flanagan be the right person for Jaws?
The proposal makes sense if one analyzes the director's style. Flanagan has built his career on the idea that the most effective fear does not always need to be shown. His work often relies on psychological tension and complex characters rather than constant jump scares.
That philosophy actually coincides with one of the great virtues of the original Jaws. Spielberg turned the technical limitations of the mechanical shark into a narrative tool, keeping the threat hidden underwater for much of the runtime and thus enhancing the sense of danger.
The historical problem of sequels
Following the release of the original film, the franchise continued with Jaws 2 (1978), Jaws 3-D (1983), and Jaws: The Revenge (1987). None of these installments managed to recapture the tension or narrative strength of the first, and the last of them is especially remembered for taking the plot toward implausible premises, such as a shark that seems to deliberately pursue members of the same family.
A new installment directed by Flanagan could focus on a small coastal community, progressive disappearances, and a threat that is barely shown on screen, an approach that would fit his usual way of building suspense.
Jurassic Park, another franchise that could be scary again
Recovering the original terror of the dinosaurs
The other idea proposed by the director makes equal sense within his filmography. Although Jurassic Park has always contained moments of genuine terror, especially in the sequences featuring velociraptors, the saga has drifted over time toward a format more focused on action and visual spectacle.
Flanagan proposes a different path: a story with few characters, closed spaces, and predators lurking in the dark, where it would not be necessary to resort to large creatures to generate tension. According to his approach, a single velociraptor would be enough to sustain a truly terrifying sequence.
Confirmed projects for Mike Flanagan
For the moment, both Jaws and Jurassic Park remain personal wishes of the director, with no official announcement confirming his involvement in either franchise.
His current schedule does include confirmed projects. Flanagan is set to release The Exorcist: Martyrs on March 12, 2027, in addition to continuing work on new adaptations of Stephen King's works, including The Dark Tower and The Mist.
The director has already demonstrated previously, with films like Gerald's Game and Doctor Sleep, that he is capable of tackling material beloved by the public without simply repeating previous formulas.
It remains to be seen if any studio decides to entrust him with the keys to a franchise like Jaws, which has gone nearly four decades without a new theatrical installment. The possibility of recapturing the original fear of going into the water is, at the very least, tempting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mike Flanagan going to direct a Jaws sequel?No. For now, it is a desire expressed publicly by the director, with no official announcement from a studio confirming his participation in the franchise.
What exactly did Flanagan say about Jaws?During a Reddit Q&A session organized by Prime Video, he stated that he would love to direct a Jaws film, acknowledging that no one will surpass Spielberg's original, but that there is a lot of room to improve upon the subsequent sequels.
Does Flanagan also want to work on Jurassic Park?Yes. The director expressed interest in turning Jurassic Park into a true horror film, with few characters and an atmosphere of tension similar to his previous work.
What are the previous Jaws sequels?After the original 1975 film, Jaws 2 (1978), Jaws 3-D (1983), and Jaws: The Revenge (1987) were released, none of which were well-regarded in comparison to the first installment.
What projects does Mike Flanagan currently have confirmed?He is scheduled to release The Exorcist: Martyrs on March 12, 2027, and continues to work on adaptations of Stephen King's works, such as The Dark Tower and The Mist.
Which films stand out in Mike Flanagan's career?Among his most recognized works are The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass, Doctor Sleep, Gerald's Game, and his recent adaptation of Carrie for Prime Video, released on October 7.