Mike Flanagan has a clear mission with The Dark Tower: make it right. After the 2017 movie with Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey drew criticism for cramming decades of story into a single film, Flanagan doesn’t want fans to think that’s the definitive version. 'We can’t let that be the final word. We really can’t,' he told Empire Magazine in a recent interview.
The filmmaker has been slowly building his adaptation, describing it as an “oil tanker” — big, complex, and slow to get moving, but steady once it’s underway. He and producing partner Trevor Macy have already written multiple scripts, and Flanagan said the project is his top priority at Intrepid Pictures.
The 2017 version of The Dark Tower faced an uphill battle from the start. Several studios and directors had been attached over the years, including J.J. Abrams and Ron Howard, before Nikolaj Arcel directed the final film. It tried to condense the sprawling series of novels, which were released between 1982 and 2012, into a 95-minute runtime, and critics were not kind. Rotten Tomatoesgives it a 16% critics rating and 44% from audiences. Box office returns were modest, with the film grossing just over $113 million worldwide against a $66 million budget. Many reviewers noted that compressing so much material into a single film left characters underdeveloped and key plotlines feeling rushed, which contributed to the movie’s lukewarm reception.
Related: Why Rob Reiner Was Nervous to Show 'Stand by Me' to Stephen King
Flanagan’s approach is deliberately different. By structuring the story as a five-season TV series on Prime Video, followed by two standalone movies, he’s giving the world of Roland Deschain room to breathe. The goal is to capture the complexity and emotional weight of King’s story in a way a single film never could.
Even Stephen King has been encouraging. Though progress has been slow, he told fans he was impressed with the scripts, praising the way Flanagan hits the key beats of the story. For King fans, that’s a reassuring sign that this isn’t just another Hollywood reboot.
Flanagan’s track record with King’s work adds confidence, too. From Gerald’s Game to Doctor Sleep and The Life of Chuck, he’s shown he can honor the spirit of the books while bringing his own vision. He’s also adapting Carrie as a limited series, with a cast that includes several frequent collaborators like Kate Siegel, Michael Trucco, and Heather Graham.
There’s no release date yet for The Dark Tower, but Flanagan’s approach feels patient and intentional. I've read the books, and for a story as sprawling as King’s epic, that seems like exactly what it needs.
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