EXCLUSIVE: Stephen King Confirms He's Writing for Mike Flanagan's Dark Tower Adaptation: 'It's Happening' - IGN Fan Fest 2025

Mike Flanagan, renowned for his successful adaptations of Stephen King's works such as *Doctor Sleep* and *Gerald's Game*, is set to bring the epic fantasy saga, *The Dark Tower*, to life with a promise of staying true to the novels. This commitment to authenticity is further solidified by the involvement of Stephen King himself, who has joined Flanagan's creative team, or Ka-tet, for this ambitious project. In an exclusive interview with IGN, King hinted at his active contribution to the adaptation, stating, "All I can say is it's happening. I am writing stuff now and I think that's all I want to say because the next thing you know, I'll stir up a bunch of stuff I don't necessarily want to stir up yet. I'm in process right now, and to say too much feels like a jinx."

The Essentials: Stephen King's Dark Tower Multiverse

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*The Dark Tower* series, which Stephen King began writing in 1970 with *The Gunslinger*, is one of his most celebrated and personal works. The involvement of King in Flanagan's adaptation offers numerous possibilities for expanding the already vast universe that interconnects nearly all of King’s fiction. King's previous contribution to the Paramount+ series *The Stand*—an epilogue that better concluded the story of Frannie Goldsmith—demonstrates his willingness to enrich his narratives. Given the extensive mythology of *The Dark Tower*, King's new material is poised to enhance Flanagan's adaptation seamlessly.

Flanagan has emphasized his intent to stay faithful to King's original text, stating in a 2022 interview with IGN, "it would look like the books" and warning against transforming the story into something like *Star Wars* or *Lord of the Rings*. He believes the essence of *The Dark Tower* lies in its story of a small group of people facing overwhelming odds, promising an emotionally powerful adaptation that will resonate deeply with audiences.

This approach stands in stark contrast to the 2017 *Dark Tower* film starring Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey, which was criticized for its disjointed handling of the source material. While the exact release and format of Flanagan's adaptation remain uncertain, his dedication to King's vision is a promising sign for fans.

In the meantime, Flanagan continues his exploration of King's works with upcoming projects. His adaptation of King's short story *The Life of Chuck* is scheduled for a theatrical release in May, and he is also developing a *Carrie* series for Amazon based on King's 1974 novel.