Norwegian horror maestro André Øvredal is set to release his latest fright flick, "Passenger," this upcoming long weekend, May 22nd. The film stars Jacob Scipio and Lou Llobell as Tyler and Maddie, a young couple embarking on a van life adventure. Their journey takes a horrific turn a few weeks in when they witness a fatal car accident. This traumatic event is soon overshadowed by the relentless pursuit of a gruesome specter, simply known as the Passenger, which haunts them. The cast also features Oscar-winner Melissa Leo, and the script was penned by Zachary Donohue and T.W. Burgess.

Øvredal has a distinguished track record in the horror genre, having broken out with the Norwegian mockumentary "Trollhunter" in 2010. His subsequent directorial credits include acclaimed films such as "The Autopsy of Jane Doe," "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark," and "The Last Voyage of the Demeter." His new film, "Passenger," continues his contribution to the horror landscape.

Despite his busy schedule, Øvredal recently revealed a "brilliant" horror movie script he wrote years ago that he believes will never see the light of day. This unrealized dream project, titled "The Overlook Hotel," is a prequel to Stephen King's iconic horror classic, "The Shining." Øvredal expressed his excitement for the concept, noting it "would be amazing," but acknowledged the slim chances of it ever making it to the screen.

Stephen King's 1978 novel, "The Shining," delves into the descent into madness of novelist Jack Torrance during his tenure as the winter caretaker of the isolated Overlook Hotel. The novel expands on the hotel's horrific past through flashbacks, as its malevolent spirits drive Torrance to turn against his loved ones. The story famously received a 1980 film adaptation by director Stanley Kubrick, starring Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall. Although now considered a horror classic, King himself famously disliked Kubrick's film due to its significant deviations from his original novel. King later championed a 1997 miniseries that adhered more closely to his book and penned a sequel, "Doctor Sleep," which was also adapted for film by Mike Flanagan.

Looking ahead, Øvredal is also slated to direct "Bendy and the Ink Machine," an adaptation of the popular survival horror video game. He shared his enthusiasm for the project, describing it as "a very cool video game that I'm very excited about."