For decades now, people have been adapting Stephen King novels and stories to use as films and TV series. Some are good. A couple are great. And a bunch are terrible. But filmmaker Mike Flanagan might be the guy who has King figured out, having adapted the author successfully with films such as “Gerald’s Game” and “Doctor Sleep.” And not only that, he’s also developing a film based on the King story, “Revival.” But none of those three films are the pinnacle of Stephen King projects, according to the filmmaker.
Speaking at Fantasia Fest (via SyfyWire), Flanagan was asked if there’s another King story that he’s dying to adapt for the big screen. And his response is both surprising and completely obvious, at the same time.
“I’ve got the answer that most Stephen King fans are going to have,” Flanagan said. “‘The Dark Tower’ is forever going to be the story I wish I could tell. That would be the Holy Grail. I mean, talk about an adaptation challenge… So many very talented people have poured so much time and heart and soul and blood, sweat and tears trying to crack that.”
He added, “That for me would be the one. I don’t know how that would happen, or if it could happen. That property, it’s daunting. Just to think about even taking first steps toward it.”
As mentioned, it’s obvious that he would love to adapt ‘Dark Tower.’ It’s a fan favorite and the project that seems to be the most expansive and epic of all the author’s stories. But it’s surprising he says that because we’ve seen people try (and fail) to bring “The Dark Tower” to life. Most recently, there was a film starring Idris Elba and Matthew McConnaughey. That feature had the budget and star power that fans were hoping it would, but the film just didn’t deliver and was ultimately a major bust. There has also been tons of talk about TV series that would be made to attempt to tell the story of “The Dark Tower,” but just when things seem to be moving in the right direction, the project dies.
All that being said, Flanagan does seem like (on paper, at least) the type of filmmaker that might be able to make “Dark Tower” work as a franchise. I mean, this is the guy that somehow made a pseudo-sequel to “The Shining” (last year’s “Doctor Sleep”) not suck, so anything’s possible, right?
So, as much as it pains me to say this, how about we give this “Dark Tower” thing another go with Flanagan attached? It might actually work. Maybe. Possibly. Okay, it’s not likely, so maybe it’s best left alone.
