Read update
Legendary authorStephen Kingconfirms that he will be writing new material for Mike Flanagan’sDark Tower.The Dark Towerhas been adapted once before in a 2017 movie that flopped in theaters and failed to connect with audiences. King’s magnum opus follows Roland Deschain and his companions across eight novels and one short story on their quest for the Dark Tower. Flanagan has previously directed King adaptations ofGerald’s GameandDoctor Sleep.He is currently working on translating other King stories including aCarrieTV series and theupcomingLife of Chuck.
In a roundtable interview atIGNFan Fest 2025,King confirms he is writing new material forThe Dark Towerseries. King responds to a question asking if he would be writing anything similar to how he wrote the finale forThe Standseries in 2020. While King is careful not to share too much information, he does state that he is writing, but does not detail what extent his involvement in the adaptation will be. Check out his quote below:
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.
UPDATE: 2025-06-05 18:09 EST BY RACHEL LABONTE
Stephen King & Mike Flanagan Walk Back Initial Reports
Since the publication of this story,Kingtook to Bluesky to debunk the notion that he is writing new material for theDark Towerseries. “Contrary to the Internet (which usually is never wrong), I am NOT writing for Mike Flanagan’s DARK TOWER,” he wrote.Flanaganthen responded to the post and added, “However, it’s no exaggeration to say that you provided the ultimate blueprint for success (in fact, it’s the understatement of the century). Thankee, sai.”
King Is A Thrilling Addition
King has never strayed far from The Tower. The main series ran for decades, beginning in 1978 and concluding in 2004.The Dark Toweracts as a nexus pointfor King’s works,connecting many of his worlds under one umbrella. During the years he was actively writing the novels and beyond, he has sprinkled references to Mid-World and The Tower across his bibliography. A prominent recent example came inGwendy’s Final Taskin 2022, which contained overt references to The Tower.
UnlikeThe Stand, King is probably not writing a new ending to The Dark Toweryet, although as readers know, it would be a fascinating prospect.
Flanagan’sDark Toweris already an exciting proposal. The writer/director has already proven himself to have a deep reverence for King’s work, and continues to do so with his upcoming projects. King has plenty of experience writing for film and television throughout his career, but his work onThe Standis particularly interesting ashe was able to write a new finale for his novel. It remains to be seen what his additions toThe Dark Towerwill be, but they may offer King a chance to add new parts to the journey.
Our Take On King’s Addition
This Only Adds To The Anticipation
At this point, unlikeThe Stand, King is probably not writing a new ending toThe Dark Toweryet, although as readers know, it would be a fascinating prospect. Since Flanagan’s proposed show would last for multiple seasons, and potentially movies as well, King is likely not writing a new ending to the series this early into production. However, King writing his first new material forThe Dark Towersince 2012’sThe Wind Through the Keyholeis incredibly exciting. Although updates have been slow to come out, this addition only adds to the anticipation for the series.
The Dark Tower
The Dark Toweris a multimedia franchise based on Stephen King’s epic series of eight novels. The story follows Roland Deschain, the last of the Gunslingers, as he embarks on a quest to reach the Dark Tower, a mystical structure that stands at the center of all worlds and realities. The series blends elements of dark fantasy, horror, science fiction, and Western genres. Over the years, the franchise has expanded beyond the original books to include a film, comic books, and upcoming TV adaptations, making it one of King’s most ambitious and interconnected works.
