Mike Flanagan Sets Sights on Dark Tower Redemption
Mike Flanagan is determined to give The Dark Tower a proper adaptation, with scripts ready and Amazon Prime Video on board, aiming to move past the 2017 film's missteps.
Stephen King's stories have seen their fair share of ups and downs on screen, and not every adaptation has hit the mark. One that really missed the boat was the 2017 film version of The Dark Tower, directed by Nikolaj Arcel. With Idris Elba taking on the role of Roland Deschain and Matthew McConaughey as Randall Flagg, the film didn't exactly win over critics or punters, leaving the gunslinger's journey dead in the water.
Now, Mike Flanagan—who's already had a crack at King's work with Doctor Sleep and The Life of Chuck, and is gearing up for a telly version of Carrie—is keen to have another go at the tower. This time, he's teaming up with Amazon Prime Video, hoping to finally do justice to the sprawling saga.
Flanagan's Fresh Approach
Chatting with Empire, Flanagan shared that things are well underway for the new series.
“We’ve got a lot of scripts done for it. It’s the first priority.”
He’s not mucking about—getting this right is at the top of his list. Adapting a story that stretches across eight main books and a couple of short stories is no small feat, but Flanagan seems up for the challenge.
He’s determined to avoid the pitfalls of the previous film, focusing on capturing the heart of King’s epic. For Flanagan, the main thing is to bring the tower to life in a way that fans have been hanging out for.
“We can’t let that be the final word. We really can’t.”
Learning from Past Missteps
The earlier film adaptation left a lot to be desired, with many feeling it didn’t do the source material any favours. The characters and the world King created just didn’t translate well to the big screen, and the story’s depth was lost in the shuffle. Flanagan’s track record with King’s work gives fans hope that this time, things might be different.
With scripts already in the bag and a clear vision for the series, Flanagan is set on making sure the gunslinger’s quest gets the treatment it deserves. He’s not just looking to fix what went wrong before—he wants to set a new standard for how King’s stories are brought to life.
Looking Ahead
As development moves forward, all eyes are on how Flanagan and his team will tackle the massive task of adapting such a beloved and complex tale. With Amazon Prime Video backing the project, there’s plenty of reason to be optimistic. Fans of The Dark Tower are no doubt hoping this new series will finally capture the magic and mystery that’s made the books a favourite for decades.