A first-look image has been revealed for The Institute's main cast have been revealed, which include Mary-Louise Parker, Ben Barnes, Robert Joy, Julian Richings, Martin Roach, and Joe Freeman.

At a at Content London (attended by Variety), MGM+ has revealed the first-look image for The Institute. The image shows the main character, Luke, sitting in a medical facility with wires attached to him. Along with the image, MGM+ revealed a trailer for The Institute at this . The source reveals that the trailer included a look at the Institute, which was described as "a cement, brutalist-style building where kids with telekinetic powers are taken after being mysteriously abducted." King was also revealed to be an executive producer on the series. Check out the image below:

What This Update Means For The Institute

The Main Character Is Changed From The Book

The Institute image gives a first look at Freeman in the main role. The young actor is a newcomer to the scene, and will be an entirely new talent for audiences to take in. This image also confirms that Freeman is several years older than Luke Ellis is in the novel. Director Jack Bender mentioned that this character change was a very conscious choice, noting that the team was "not wanting this to be as awful as it can be." They were looking to avoid a "sadistic experience," in a statement realized below:

We were very aware of not wanting this to be as awful as it can be, what these kids go through. We didn’t want it to be a sadistic experience. There’s a fine line and, god knows, as storytellers we didn’t want to go there.

The tests that are enacted upon these slightly older kids will still be extensive, if this first image for The Institute is any indication. Creator Benjamin Cavell also spoke about how The Institute would connect to King's story universe more broadly. According to Cavell, the kids who go to The Institute will possess a form of The Shine, which refers to the psychic abilities that Danny Torrance has in The Shining. Cavell's full statement on the connection between The Institute and The Shining can be found below:

“Kids with ‘The Shine’ are being kidnapped by some shadowy organization that we don’t fully understand. But the kids ultimately are able to find a way to rescue themselves. There isn’t some external force that comes and saves them, the kids have to band together and through their own ingenuity and ability, find their way out.”

Our Take On The Institute's Updates

Stephen King's Involvement Is A Good Sign

In all the updates revealed at this , I find the most hopeful to be King's involvement as an executive producer. Especially with The Institute making an age change to the main character, it will be important for the novelist to have some kind of creative role to oversee how the changes play out in the adaptation. Furthermore, he can help facilitate the connection between The Institute and The Shining. Hopefully, King's EP role will enhance The Institute enough to make it a great King adaptation.

Source: Variety