Steven Weber has had a long and successful career in TV and movies, recently garnering attention for his role as Dr. Dean Archer in “Chicago Med” on NBC. However, for many fans, one of Weber’s most iconic roles was portraying Jack Torrance in the overlooked TV miniseries remake of “The Shining.” This adaptation, true to Stephen King‘s original vision, allowed Weber the daunting opportunity to step into a role immortalized by Jack Nicholson in Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 film.
In a discussion with MovieWeb’s George Edelman, Weber reflected on his experience with what he considers one of the most faithful adaptations of a Stephen King novel. He shared insights into the origins of the three-part series on ABC, emphasizing the motivations behind its creation:
“The reason why it was made was because the Stephen King faithful, including Stephen King himself, were, while very cognizant of the, you know, of how powerful and arguably wonderful the Kubrick film was with Jack Nicholson, it was not faithful to the book, and Kubrick, however great, he was really deviate and bowdlerized a lot of the story. Famously, Stephen King didn’t like that, so he set about writing those perceived wrongs. And, you know, I think it succeeded on a lot of levels. Again, it was a TV version in so far that that it wasn’t, you know, there was no gore, but there was a fantastic amount of fidelity to the book. And that meant there were plenty of scares provided by the great director, Mick Garris and Rebecca de Mornay.”
Taking on the role of Jack Torrance was a challenge that could intimidate even the most seasoned performer, especially given Nicholson’s legendary portrayal. Surprisingly, Weber explained that he initially paid little mind to the inevitable comparisons, driven by a desire to remain true to the character rather than echoing past performances. Reflecting on the role, he added:
“What we tried to do was, again, be faithful to the characters. I either stupidly or brilliantly, just didn’t even think of myself in Jack Nicholson’s shoes. I just approached it as a character and didn’t really give too much thought to it. Now, in retrospect, I wish I had given more thought to certain aspects of the role, because I didn’t quite grasp that really ‘The Shining’ isn’t about monsters in a scary house. It’s about alcoholism, you know. And now that I’ve lived some life, I think, Oh, God, f*ck, I could go back and really kind of redo a bunch of those scenes, because I have an awareness of what that means now, you know.”
Although the miniseries might not eclipse Kubrick’s film for some, its extended runtime allowed for a deeper and more faithful adaptation of Stephen King’s narrative, providing enjoyment for die-hard fans. Reflecting on the impact and reception, Weber noted:
“I think, was it was a job well done and worth viewing. People love it. I go to conventions, and people are all over that show. You know they love ‘The Shining.’ And you know this Mick Garris Shining, and Stephen King Shining can live in the same universe as Kubrick Shining.”
The adaptation’s significance lies in its commitment to authenticity and the broader appreciation of Stephen King’s work. It embraces a version of “The Shining” that aligns more closely with King’s narrative, offering an alternative yet parallel delight for audiences. Going forward, the existence of multiple adaptations only enriches the tapestry of storytelling, ensuring that Stephen King’s legendary tale continues to captivate new generations of viewers.
