Brandon Fletcher
If you’re curious about the unique approach Mike Flanagan plans for his long-awaited Dark Tower television series, it appears he will stick closely to the source material.
In a recent episode of the Process Unlocked series, Flanagan discussed his intentions for the adaptation, stating, “You do the books.” This might strike some as humorous, especially considering his Carrie series has shown that not all adaptations strictly adhere to their original texts. The 2017 film adaptation of Dark Tower, directed by Nicolaj Arcel, famously took significant liberties that disappointed many fans.
For this new series, Flanagan aims to faithfully convey the story by producing five seasons of television and two standalone films, adhering to the chronological order of the books. Although he enjoys the creative process of remixing and reinterpreting stories, he finds Dark Tower to be an “incredibly daunting” endeavor. His goal is to remain true to Stephen King’s narrative, which begins with “two people in a landscape without detail,” setting the stage for an expansive, intricate world.
“‘The man in black fled across the desert and the gunslinger followed,’” he quoted, referencing the iconic opening line of the first Dark Tower book. This line introduces two characters with a clear motive: one is fleeing, while the other is in pursuit across a desert landscape. Flanagan acknowledges that King crafted this narrative effectively. He recognizes that any “minor adjustments” he makes will be guided by this foundational setup, noting that “70%” of his work has already been accomplished by King.
Currently, Dark Tower enthusiasts will need to exercise patience as Flanagan balances his busy schedule before diving into the adaptation process. He has other projects on his plate, including the future of Carrie, the upcoming release of The Exorcist: Martyrs in theaters next year, and his collaboration with Henry Cavill on bringing Warhammer 40K to Prime Video.
Interested in more io9 updates? Discover the top movies and TV shows to stream this month, along with the latest sci-fi, fantasy, and horror books that should be on your radar.
Daniel Mercer
