Nicholson turns down comeback role in 'Doctor Sleep'
Legendary actor Jack Nicholson, known for his iconic role as Jack Torrance in Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining," turned down an offer to come out of retirement. Director of the film "Doctor Sleep," Mike Flanagan, was unsuccessful in persuading the star to return to the screen.
Jack Nicholson is one of the greatest actors in the history of cinema, remembered for films such as "Chinatown," "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," "Batman," and "The Departed." However, for horror enthusiasts, he will forever be Jack Torrance from the cult classic "The Shining" (1980). Although Stephen King criticised both Kubrick's adaptation and Nicholson's portrayal, this role became one of the most recognisable in the genre.
Jack Nicholson stopped acting in films
Nearly 40 years after the premiere of "The Shining," Mike Flanagan undertook the adaptation of another King novel—"Doctor Sleep," a continuation of the Torrance family saga. The film premiered in 2019. It featured performances by Ewan McGregor and Rebecca Ferguson. It's hard to say that it became a cult film. It made just over €68 million worldwide and faded into obscurity.
According to Collider, Warner Bros. offered Nicholson a role in the film. However, the actor declined, remaining committed to his decision to retire after 2010. Nicholson's last film remains "How Do You Know," where the leading roles were played by Reese Witherspoon and Paul Rudd. Nicholson played Charles.
In a conversation with "Vanity Fair," Flanagan admitted, "There were initial things where I had been curious about whether or not he wanted any participation in the film whatsoever, in a cameo, any capacity, but he declined. I think he's serious about his retirement. But he offered his support and wished us the best and was aware of everything we were doing."
Will we see Nicholson in any film again? Surely, a project will eventually come along that will attract the actor. Cameron Diaz returned to acting after a 10-year break, which she also referred to as retirement. Similarly, Jim Carrey, who also threatened to quit show business, is now promoting the third part of "Sonic." In one of his last conversations with "Vanity Fair," Nicholson commented that he was retired from constant flirting, not from acting.
