The Shining prequel, The Overlook Hotel, could have explained Jack Torrance's mysterious photo origin. Adapted from Stephen King’s acclaimed novel, Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 horror film starred Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Scatman Crothers, and Danny Lloyd. Inspired by the purportedly true hauntings within Colorado’s Stanley Hotel, The Shining follows Jack Torrance (Nicholson), who’s hired as an off-season caretaker of the ominous hotel. A recovering alcoholic and aspiring writer, Jack moves his wife Wendy (Duvall) and son Danny (Lloyd) into the building with him. Danny has psychic abilities, labeled “the shining,” enabling him to see into the hotel’s gruesome past.

Hailed as one of the most influential thrillers of all time, The Shining spawned iconic quotes, complex characters, and intense visuals. One of the most ambiguous components of the film is a photograph from 1921 that shows Jack with other guests in the Overlook hotel’s ballroom. Theories as to why Jack appears in the black-and-white photo include that Jack is a reincarnation of an earlier official at the hotel and that the Overlook hotel is now the owner of Jack’s soul. However, Kubrick has never explained. Following the film’s success, concepts for films emerged that would round out The Shining’s story, including a prequel called The Overlook Hotel and the sequel Doctor Sleep. Now, it appears The Overlook Hotel could have explained the titular photograph.

Related: The Shining Ending Explained: Why Jack Is In The Photo 

Speaking with Bloody Disgusting, Glen Mazzara, the screenwriter for The Overlook Hotel, reveals his concept could have explained the origin of Jack’s photo. The Overlook Hotel was to be based on King’s original prologue Before The Play, which was eliminated from his 1977 novel. Set at the beginning of the 20th century, the prequel would center on Bob T. Watson, a robber who traverses through the mountainside to build the Overlook hotel. Following the Overlook’s inaugural ball, a gala is hosted in the Gold Room. Per Mazzara’s script, a photographer snaps a photo of the wealthy, well-dressed partygoers - the same photo that would later adorn the halls of the Overlook, and the very same photo revealed in the third act of The Shining. Reportedly, Mazzara aspired to have the scene framed in a way that one would be unable to see whether or not The Shining’s Jack is front and center.

As it stands, Brad Pitt was in consideration for the lead role, and Mark Romanek (One Hour Photo) was attached to direct. Mazzara revealed that Warner Bros could only commit to funding one film, and selected Doctor Sleep. According to Mazzara, his screenplay for The Overlook Hotel is fleshed out. It includes the film’s first big scare, camera angles for the opening of “the grandest hotel the world has ever seen,” and compelling storylines for the first family of the Overlook. As it stands, the producers of Castle Rock are mulling over ideas to bring an Overlook Hotel adaptation to TV, but it wouldn’t involve Mazzara’s concepts.

Overall, it appears that Mazzara’s screenplay of The Overlook Hotel would have left viewers wondering about Jack’s appearance in the iconic photo. Jack’s unexplained appearance in the picture ended The Shining on a high note of uncertainty, mystery, and ambiguity, which made the film more memorable. For now, the exact origin of Jack's photo remains in the shadows, but Mazzara certainly structured a great way to nod to one of the most talked-about moments of The Shining.

Next: The Shining Theory: What Jack Was Actually Writing 

Source: Bloody Disgusting