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

Mike Flanagan, renowned for his faithful adaptations of Stephen King's works such as Doctor Sleep and Gerald's Game, has promised that his upcoming adaptation of The Dark Tower will stay true to the expansive narrative of the novels. This commitment to authenticity is bolstered by the involvement of Stephen King himself, who has joined Flanagan's creative team, or Ka-tet, to ensure the project remains loyal to his vision.

In an exclusive interview with IGN, King confirmed his active participation in the project, 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." This revelation adds an exciting layer of anticipation for fans eager to see how King's new contributions will enhance the adaptation.

The Essentials: Stephen King's Dark Tower Multiverse

20 ImagesThe Dark Tower is one of King's most cherished and personal projects, with the first novel, The Gunslinger, beginning in 1970. King's involvement in Flanagan's adaptation is a testament to the significance of the series, which intertwines with nearly all of his fiction. His previous contribution to the Paramount+ series The Stand—an epilogue that better concluded Frannie Goldsmith's story—hints at the potential depth he could bring to The Dark Tower.

Given the expansive mythology of The Dark Tower, King's new material is expected to seamlessly integrate into Flanagan's vision, especially since Flanagan has vowed to adhere closely to the books. In a 2022 interview with IGN, Flanagan emphasized his approach, saying, "it would look like the books" and that "the way not to do The Dark Tower is to try to turn it into something else, to try to make it Star Wars or make it Lord of the Rings." He further elaborated, "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 promise is particularly reassuring following the 2017 Dark Tower film, which was criticized for its deviation from the source material. While details about Flanagan's adaptation remain scarce, including its release date and format, fans can look forward to other Stephen King projects from Flanagan, such as the upcoming theatrical release of The Life of Chuck in May and a Carrie series for Amazon based on King's 1974 novel.