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

Mike Flanagan's highly anticipated adaptation of Stephen King's The Dark Tower promises unwavering fidelity to the source material. Flanagan's proven track record with King adaptations, including Doctor Sleep and Gerald's Game, already instills confidence. However, the project's authenticity is further solidified by an exclusive revelation from IGN: Stephen King himself is actively collaborating.

In an interview promoting The Monkey, King confirmed his involvement, 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."

Exploring the Dark Tower Multiverse

20 Images

The Dark Tower, a cornerstone of King's oeuvre, began its journey in 1970 with The Gunslinger. King's participation in Flanagan's adaptation opens exciting possibilities. His previous contribution of an epilogue to Paramount+'s The Stand demonstrated his ability to enhance existing narratives. Given The Dark Tower's vast scope, encompassing much of King's fictional universe, the potential for enriching the story is immense.

Flanagan's commitment to faithfulness aligns perfectly with King's involvement. In a 2022 IGN interview, Flanagan emphasized his intent to stay true to the books, stating it "would look like the books" and rejecting deviations that would transform it into something like Star Wars or Lord of the Rings. He stressed the inherent power of the original story: "It is what it is, what it is is perfect. It's just as exciting as all of those things and just as immersive. It's a story about a tiny group of people, all the odds in the whole world are against them, and they come together. As long as it's that, it'll be fine and there won't be a dry eye in the house."

This approach stands in stark contrast to the 2017 film starring Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey, which received criticism for its disjointed approach to the source material.

While the release date and format of Flanagan's adaptation remain undisclosed, Flanagan has several other King projects underway. The Life of Chuck is slated for a May theatrical release, and a Carrie series for Amazon is currently in development.