As a long-time Constant Reader and someone who has eagerly waited for the right adaptation to bring Stephen King’s magnum opus, The Dark Tower, to life, I find myself both intrigued and apprehensive about Glen Mazzara’s pilot script. On one hand, it’s a testament to the love and passion that Mazzara has for King’s work, as evidenced by the faithful take on Wizard And Glass and the inclusion of beloved characters like Taheen and billybumbler. On the other hand, focusing solely on a young Roland Deschain means we may miss out on the camaraderie and relationships that make up the heart of the series.
Recently, I began a segment called The King Beat with an interesting tale regarding William Sadler‘s improvised line in the production of “The Shawshank Redemption.” More recently, my article featured details shared by the actor about his work on Gary Dauberman’s “Salem’s Lot.” Yet, there is still more to share from Sadler’s time working on Stephen King movies. This week, I delve into his recollections of collaborating once again with writer/director Frank Darabont during the filming of “The Green Mile” in 1999.
That story is joined in this week’s feature by not only a fresh Recommendation Of The Week but also a cool revelation from screenwriter Glen Mazzara: the script for his Dark Tower pilot that was shot but never aired. Let’s dig in!
The Green Mile’s William Sadler Recalls His Tough Experience Making The Stephen King Movie
During my conversation with William Sadler towards the end of last month, it became clear that he held a deep affection for his experience working on The Shawshank Redemption. He relished the camaraderie among his fellow actors while filming, found delight in portraying the amusing dim-witted character Heywood, and appreciated the lasting impact the movie has had on contemporary cinema.
His experience making The Green Mile was quite different, however.
The film brought Tim Robbins (Sadler) together with Frank Darabont once more, only a few years since their work on Shawshank. In this project, his role turned out to be significantly smaller, yet it proved to be an emotionally and physically draining ordeal. As he put it, there was a striking resemblance between the script’s content and his personal experiences that he couldn’t help but connect with. To quote Tim Robbins (Sadler), “There was something deeply resonant about this material that mirrored my own life.”
Frank Darabont requested that I take on the part, and I see his reasoning behind it, however, it turned out to be one of the smallest roles I’ve ever had. Interestingly enough, our child was roughly the same age as the two deceased girls in the story.
As I delved into The Green Mile, I stepped into the shoes of William Sadler, portraying Klaus Detterick, father of two innocent girls whose lives were tragically cut short. The bodies of my children, held by the gentle giant John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan), remained undiscovered until it was too late. This role demanded not just a deep dive into intense emotions, but also forced me to confront an all-too-real terror. And as I continued in this journey, I found myself standing eye-to-eye with that fear.
As an actor, I found myself needing to delve into that scenario. I needed to ponder, ‘What emotions would surge through me if I stepped out onto the porch to find blood, a damaged door, and my children missing?’ To put it simply, for me, nothing quite compares to the sheer terror of losing a child – even imagining the sight of blood, a broken door, and their absence, triggers an overwhelming feeling of panic. No matter how many fearsome creatures, predators, or sharks you present, this dread is something I can’t help but empathize with deeply.
Venturing into that frightening mental realm was tough, but things only got harder. Not only did viewers watch Klaus grapple with intense emotions, they also saw him relentlessly searching for his missing children. This pursuit often left William Sadler breathless whenever director Frank Darabont shouted, “Action.” Sadler commented that the challenging terrain and his costume made the task even more difficult.
In simpler terms, he pursued something vigorously, and the pursuit proved challenging for him. [Smile] The final stretch of the pursuit was particularly tough as he’s not a long-distance runner. He doesn’t have long legs, is older, and was wearing work boots, among other things. Frank designed a track around a hundred yards in length, and he started running with a shotgun, only to drop it and scramble up the hill where he attempted to fight [Michael Clarke Duncan’s John Coffey]. However, that period of time spent pursuing and fighting was some of the most demanding tasks he’s ever encountered.
William Sadler recalls the intense physical discomfort he experienced during his role in The Green Mile, yet it’s the emotional toll that he found most challenging. As a seasoned actor, he felt a sense of duty to deliver a heartfelt and sincere performance. However, he admitted later that neither the recognition nor the monetary compensation could adequately repay him for his experience. Additionally, Sadler mentioned, was quoted saying, “The role demanded a lot from me emotionally, and I didn’t get fully reimbursed for that.”
As a devoted admirer, just being in that area… It was an amalgamation. The physical aspect was challenging, but the emotional turmoil was indescribable. Leaving the entire experience behind, I couldn’t help but reflect that they were underpaying me to step foot in such a place, to experience those feelings. It seemed too expensive to remain there, contemplating the loss of my child – a reality I knew I had to face. I felt compelled to do so, for the camera, because it’s something you can’t feign or make light-hearted with the crew.
In the movie, William Sadler’s part may seem modest, but his performance is truly exceptional. When you rewatch “The Green Mile,” pay attention to the scene where Klaus Detterick meets John Coffey for the first time – you’ll see that every ounce of the character’s pain in those eyes is heartbreakingly genuine.
On Amazon Prime Video, you can now rent or buy the digital version of “The Green Mile.” Additionally, they’re currently streaming William Sadler’s latest film, “A Stage Of Twilight,” which was written and directed by Sarah T. Schwab and features Karen Allen as a co-star.
As Mike Flanagan’s The Dark Tower Moves Through Development, Glen Mazzara Has Shared The Script For His Never-Released Amazon Pilot
Simultaneously engaged in his work for the Exorcist series franchise, Mike Flanagan has zealously pursued bringing his long-cherished idea to life: a loyal adaptation of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower. In late 2022, he secured the rights to the source material, and he has expressed his plan for it as a series that will span “at least five seasons.” There is much anticipation that this project will come to fruition – yet, as a King devotee, one can’t help but recall past efforts at creating a Dark Tower television show.
Following the disappointing release of the Dark Tower film in 2017, a streaming series based on Stephen King’s extensive novels was being developed by the executive producer and showrunner of The Walking Dead. Although the pilot was scripted, cast, and filmed, the project ultimately got cancelled. Unfortunately, the completed work has yet to be released. However, fans can now envision what the series might have looked like as Mazzara, the creator, has made his script available online for all to read.
Having spent years in the fast-paced world of television production, I can certainly appreciate Glen Mazzara’s excitement about writing for The Stunt List. It brings back memories of my own days crafting stories and dialogue for shows, always striving to create something entertaining and engaging for audiences. His recent tweet reminded me of the thrill that comes with seeing one’s work come to life, especially when it resonates with others as much as his appears to have done.
On the given site, you can download the “Dark Tower” script in PDF format. It’s not specified whether this online version will be temporary, but considering that, it might be prudent to save it right away, just in case.
The pilot script spans 61 pages, and what immediately catches the eye is that it’s not a direct adaptation of “The Gunslinger,” the first book in Stephen King’s Dark Tower series. Although there are nods to this iconic novel in the screenplay, its main focus is on adapting the significant flashback from “Wizard and Glass” – the fourth book. The story centers around a younger Roland Deschain (portrayed by Sam Strike) who is both chasing after the villainous magician Marten Broadcloak (Jasper Pääkkönen) and encountering the love of his life, Susan Delgado (Joana Ribeiro), in the town of Mejis.
Following the script’s read, I’m left with a blend of emotions regarding the adaptation. Firstly, I appreciate why they didn’t entirely base the Dark Tower pilot on The Gunslinger, given that it’s considered the weakest book in an otherwise exceptional series. Yet, simultaneously, I find myself critical of the extended perspective they’ve chosen. If the show were to delve exclusively into the story of a young Roland Deschain, it would inevitably take a considerable amount of time before reaching the core – the bonds that Roland forges with Eddie Dean, Susannah Dean, Jake Chambers, and Oy during their joint journey towards the Tower.
There is clearly a lot of love for Stephen King’s books apparent on the page of Glen Mazzara’s script (I particularly enjoyed the appearances of a bird-headed Taheen and a billybumbler), and for what it’s worth, it’s a faithful take on Wizard And Glass. But as someone who wants to someday see the full scope of The Dark Tower play out on screen, I can’t say it’s my favorite take, and my fingers remain tightly crossed that Mike Flanagan’s vision will be the adaptation for which Constant Readers have long been waiting.
Recommendation Of The Week: “The Fifth Step”
Over the last few months, I’ve primarily used this space to highlight each of the dozen titles featured in Stephen King’s latest collection, You Like It Darker, and I bring that particular run to an end this week with “The Fifth Step” – which was first published in the March 2020 issue of Harper’s Magazine before being included in the new omnibus. It’s the second spooky tale in the 2024 book after “Two Talented Bastids,” and utilizes one of the major themes in King’s bibliography: addiction.
Main character Harold Jamieson, a senior citizen, finds himself leisurely perusing a newspaper in Central Park when he encounters a suspicious-looking individual who identifies himself as Jack. In a trembling voice, Jack discloses that he is enrolled in Alcoholics Anonymous and has advanced to the fifth of the 12 steps – a stage where one must confess their misdeeds to another person. Reluctantly, Harold consents to listen to the man’s account, but gradually discerns that there is more sinister depth to Jack than just his drinking habits.
In summary, we’ve concluded this special one-year edition of The King Beat. Don’t forget to join me again right here on TopMob next Thursday, where I’ll share an exciting new segment brimming with recent updates about Stephen King’s latest happenings.
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2024-08-22 19:43