Ewan McGregor has been cast as the lead character in the forthcoming cinematic sequel to The Shining.

The Trainspotting actor will play Danny Torrance – son of The Shining‘s Jack – in the upcoming adaptation of Stephen King’s novel Doctor Sleep (published in 2013), which was written as the follow-up to The Shining.

McGregor will play adult Danny in the new film – Variety reports that King has given his “blessing” to the casting – with the character having been a child during the events depicted in The Shining.

The synopsis for Doctor Sleep reads: “Danny Torrance carries the trauma of the Overlook Hotel into adulthood. He’s become a reflection of his murderous father, with lingering rage and a drinking problem that dulls his pain as well as his ‘shining’ powers.

“Those powers return when he embraces sobriety and uses his gift to help the dying at a hospice. He establishes a psychic connection with a young girl who shares his extreme abilities, and who is being targeted by a group with similar abilities.

“They’ve found that their powers grow if they inhale the ‘steam’ that comes off others with the power to shine, when they are suffering painful deaths.” 

Doctor Sleep will be directed by Mike Flanagan, which is being developed by Warner. Bros. The film is currently set for release on January 24, 2020.

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