After three years of hosting the horror-heavy Stanley Film Festival, the hotel that inspired The Shining is aiming to transform itself into the world’s first year-round permanent horror museum! The Colorado hotel, which hosted a highly-suggestible Stephen King in 1974, has become a popular destination for horror fans over the years.
The Stanley Film Center has already gotten commitments for film screenings and exhibit materials from greats including Charlie Adlard, creator of The Walking Dead, effects legend Rick Baker, and Clive Barker. Plus, the Founding Board is incredibly impressive, and includes Elijah Wood, Simon Pegg, George A. Romero, Mick Garris, Josh Waller, and Daniel Noah. Elijah Wood is enthusiastic about the project, saying, “I would love to have a home for which we could constantly come year-round and celebrate with other fans from around the world. There’s really no better place for there to be a permanent home for the celebration of horror as an art form than the Stanley Hotel. It was practically built for it.” Hmmm…we notice Mr. Wood didn’t bother to discuss how it was also built for faking the moon landing. This conspiracy clearly goes all the way to the top.
“At 109-years-old, the story of the Stanley Hotel is just beginning,” said Stanley Hotel owner, John Cullen. “The Stanley Film Center is my chance to give back to the millions of horror fans around the world who have supported Estes Park and the hotel for so many years.”
You can learn more about the project here! Hopefully we’ll all be checking into The Stanley in the near future. Just, um, use the stairs. The elevator appears to be having some issues.
