Josh Hartnett Is Perfect For Mike Flanagan’s Stephen King Movie After New Netflix Series

Published Oct 10, 2026, 11:45 PM EDT

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Josh Hartnett serves as a compelling lead in Netflix's new 6-episode horror series, Below. In its opening moments, the show almost seems to be driven by Lovecraftian dread, where it walks through the terror faced by a small town after a mysterious creature emerges in the water surrounding them. As the show progresses, however, it experiences a radical shift in tone.

From being an exploration of humanity's "fear of the unknown," the show turns into an eco-thriller that highlights the impact of capitalism on global warming. It also dabbles with other serious themes surrounding the effects of resettlement on both humans and aquatic animals. Below on Netflix has its heart in the right place, but its sudden shift in tone holds it back from reaching its true potential.

Still, Josh Hartnett proves to be an incredible anchor for the show's storyline. In more ways than one, he single-handedly drives the Netflix sci-fi horror show's drama and ensures that viewers stick till the end. After seeing him in Below, it is hard not to notice how he would be the perfect lead in Mike Flanagan's upcoming Stephen King remake.

After Netflix’s Below, Josh Hartnett Should Lead Mike Flanagan’s Remake Of The Mist

Beyond its Lovecraftian elements and paranoia, The Mist, at its core, is the story of a father determined to protect his son from an unknowable threat. Especially in Frank Darabont's adaptation of Stephen King's The Mist, there is a heavy emphasis on David Drayton's relationship with his son, Billy. This is where Netflix's Below seems to parallel The Mist's storyline.

Below, too, portrays how humans react when they face an incomprehensible threat. However, the heart of its story lies in its portrayal of the main character Calvin's complex relationship with his son, Wade. He is portrayed as an over-protective father like David who ends up harming his son's well-being instead of protecting him.

The brilliance with which Josh Hartnett plays this role seems to establish that he would be the perfect lead in Mike Flanagan's The Mist. While it is still unknown how Mike Flanagan plans to approach the material, he might stick to directly adapting the core character beats from the original story and the Frank Darabont movie. If he does that, Hartnett should play David Drayton in the upcoming movie.

Josh Hartnett Has Already Played A Stephen King-esque Character In The Past

Custom image by Yeider Chacon

In his long acting career, Josh Hartnett has never starred in any direct Stephen King adaptations so far. However, the actor has also been growing from strength to strength as a horror staple and has played a Stephen King-esque role in the past. His character in Penny Dreadful, Ethan Chandler, perfectly fits the gunslinger archetype Stephen King captures in The Dark Tower books.

Chadler also carries generational guilt and trauma, reminding one of characters from Stephen King stories like IT, Doctor Sleep, and Pet Sematary. The character is also portrayed as a reluctant monster who is a good-natured but deeply flawed man, bound by a literal lycanthropic curse (a Werewolf).

Considering Josh Hartnett's history of playing myriad characters in the horror and thriller genres, it would be great to see him in Mike Flanagan adaptation of Stephen King's work. Hopefully, after Netflix's Below he will be considered for the leading role in The Mist's remake.

Below

5/10

A hard-bitten fisherman in a remote Newfoundland town faces off against a mysterious sea creature threatening his family and community.