The Dark Tower Movie Flopped, But One Element Could Save Mike Flanagan’s Series!

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The following contains SPOILERS for Stephen King’s The Dark Tower books.

Once upon a time, not so long ago, people thought it impossible to adapt “The Lord of the Rings” into a movie. Many believed the story was too expansive and intricate for film, yet Peter Jackson proved them wrong. His work opened up the possibility for other grand stories to be adapted as well, such as Stephen King’s “The Dark Tower.

The Dark Tower, often regarded as Stephen King’s masterpiece, is a seven-part series that draws on themes from most of his other works. Reading it thoroughly demands the same dedication we witnessed in the Harry Potter films. Previously, an attempt was made to adapt it, but it ended poorly. Now, they are giving it another go.

As a dedicated cinephile, I’m thrilled to see Mike Flanagan diving headfirst into the expansive world of “The Dark Tower” for a TV series adaptation. Given his successful track record with Stephen King adaptations, it’s evident that he aims to steer clear of the pitfalls that marred the 2017 film featuring Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey. Yet, there’s one aspect from that movie that I sincerely hope the upcoming series wholeheartedly adopts.

Ron Howard Once Tried What Mike Flanagan Is Doing Now

In the first part of the 2010s, Ron Howard and his producing partner Brian Grazer endeavored to create an adaptation of The Dark Tower. This was a highly ambitious undertaking, and at one stage, they envisioned it as both a film for the big screen and a television series. These two elements would collaborate to tell the entire story, with each segment choosing the medium that seemed most fitting to convey it effectively.

Occasionally, it seemed as though the project had come to an end. However, over time, the enthusiasm for it dwindled and what we ultimately received in 2017 was simply “The Dark Tower,” a standalone film that aimed to set the stage for potential sequels if the initial movie proved successful.

The movie fell flat. It was disorganized and struggled to stand alone due to its excessive reliance on complex backstory, leaving it feeling overloaded. Fans of “The Dark Tower” criticized the way it deviated from the original story, while new viewers found themselves overwhelmed by too much lore, making it difficult for them to engage with the film.

As a devotee of “The Dark Tower,” I shared the same disillusionment as many others when the film turned out to be a jumble. Despite its talented actors, they were largely underutilized. However, my dissatisfaction ran particularly deep due to the film’s shortcomings because just a year prior to its release, Stephen King himself had ignited my anticipation for the movie with an image that redefined my expectations entirely.

How Stephen King’s The Dark Tower Ends Is Important To The Film

In a new take, “The Dark Tower” narrative centers around Roland, a gunslinger hailing from Gilead, who embarks on a quest to locate the mystical tower. However, at the climax of the tale, an astounding revelation unfolds: Roland has visited this very building before in the story’s conclusion.

It’s revealed that Roland frequently travels to the Dark Tower, only to find himself back at the start of his journey each time. His relentless pursuit of the Tower, however, seems to have disqualified him from attaining what he seeks.

In contrast to his previous journeys towards the Tower, this time something shifted in Roland. Unlike before where people were merely means to reach his destination, on this trip, he formed genuine friendships. Unlike his past cycles, Roland wasn’t keen on sacrificing others for the sake of reaching the Tower. As a result, as Roland embarks on his next desert trek, he is in possession of the Horn of Eld, an artifact he had abandoned earlier and is now compelled to blow from atop the Dark Tower.

It seems that Roland’s latest visit to the Tower could bring him one step nearer to achieving redemption. Given the numerous times he’s been there before in King’s books, this might be his second-to-last trip. Only by completing this final journey can he truly attain his objective.

The Failed Dark Tower Movie Was Meant To Be A Sequel To The Books

With this information in mind, a tweet from Stephen King in May 2016 significantly affected me. It contained an image of the Horn of Eld with the words “Last Time Around” written on it. Alongside a comment from King, it appeared that the Dark Tower movie wasn’t an adaptation of the books, but rather a sequel.

It appears that the interpretation was that the film adaptation of “The Dark Tower” would narrate the tale of Roland’s next journey, where he bears the Horn of Eld and ultimately hands it over to the Tower. If there is any redeeming quality from the otherwise disorganized movie, it’s this premise.

Making The New Dark Tower Series A Sequel Is An Opportunity

Transforming “The Dark Tower” into a sequel instead of a direct adaptation opens up a wealth of possibilities and creative freedom. Primarily, while fans undeniably anticipate Mike Flanagan’s series to closely follow the original books, no adaptation is flawless. The non-strict adherence to the source material can be integrated seamlessly into the narrative itself.

There’s a possibility of discovering novel experiences, encountering unique individuals, and visiting uncharted locations. If Roland had experienced his past somewhat differently, if he wasn’t exactly the person he is now, then it makes sense that the subsequent events wouldn’t unfold identically. This uniqueness adds value to both the books and the series, as readers would have a motivation to explore each instalment thoroughly, as they collectively narrate one continuous tale.

Additionally, there’s also the joy that comes from a tale that wraps up neatly. Some readers found the ending of the last Dark Tower book disappointing due to its incomplete resolution, despite its logical consistency. For those who cherish Roland, it leaves room for hope that he might achieve success.

Stephen King himself is actively participating in Mike Flanagan’s adaptation project. Although the specifics remain vague, the collaboration between these two talented individuals might lead to an adaptation of “The Dark Tower” that not only follows the original story but also brings it to a satisfying conclusion.

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2025-03-01 03:41