Back in October, Scott Tobias wrote a condemning case against cinematic universes, arguing that the films conform to a specific template, include scenes that are otherwise useless, and eventually add up to a confusing viewing. He’s not wrong. For all its past glories, Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe has become an intricate web of cursed narratives and curious mythologies that will only get more complicated as the waves continue to pummel theaters. But really, the stories beg for that medium, and the universe allows them to get away with an Avengers film that doesn’t feel too over or under-wrought.
The problem is that everyone’s doing it. DC Films tipped off theirs in 2013 with Man of Steel, Fox continues to stretch out their X-Men franchise, and Sony’s doing something with Spider-man – we think. The difference lies in execution; whereas Marvel has spent the better half of a decade, or maybe even more, planning theirs, the others seem to have juggled their own licenses around because, well, that’s what is expected of comic book movies these days, right? Hell, even Star Wars is getting in on the fun, what with all the spin-off films and TV shows.
That’s why we thought it’d be interesting to flirt with Stephen King. In the past few months, development for Josh Boone’s adaptation of The Stand has picked up speed over at Warner Bros., shifting from a three-hour film to a four-part event starring Matthew McConaughey as Randall Flagg. That’s big news for fans of the Maine demigod, but it’s also perilous. This is a chance to aptly capture King’s work and impress it upon a younger generation who might be looking for something to grasp and obsess over amidst a post-Hunger Games and post-Potter culture.
But what a canon of work to enjoy. So far, King has published over 55 novels and nearly 200 short stories with a great majority of them linked together. His magnum opus, The Dark Tower, spans seven novels with correlating comic books, short stories, and one novella tossed in for added weight. It’s a very complicated and incredibly diverse culture King has devised, which is why a proper film or television adaptation of the saga has yet to get off the ground — despite repeated attempts by J.J. Abrams and Ron Howard.
For this installment of the Producer’s Chair, we opted to do all the legwork for the studios and pieced together a proper cinematic universe of King’s bibliography, all based around Boone’s upcoming production of The Stand. We parsed out the release dates, cast its characters, and targeted 19 essential films and/or television properties that would do justice to the man’s reign in modern literature.
Sadly, this probably won’t happen, but this was far more enjoyable than it was taxing.
So, come come commala and enjoy the trek.
1. The Stand, Part I
Early Summer 2017 – Film
Synposis: A weaponized strain of influenza, nicknamed “Captain Trips”, is accidentally released from an American government facility, killing over 99% of the world’s population. Those who survive the plague begin to experience visions from either the benevolent Mother Abagail Freemantle or the terrifying Randall Flagg, two paths that will spawn a post-apocalyptic war between good and evil.
Cast of Characters: Randall Flagg (Mathew McConaughey), Mother Abagail Freemantle (Cicely Tyson), Stu Redman (Scoot McNairy), Frannie Goldsmith (Anna Kendrick), Larry Underwood (Oscar Isaac), Nick Andros (Michael B. Jordan), Nadine Cross (Rooney Mara), Lloyd Henreid (Walt Goggins), Harold Lauder (Miles Teller), Trashcan Man (Sharlto Copley), and General William Starkey (Michael Shannon)
The Walk-Ins (Previously Seen Characters): Well, we’re starting from scratch here, right? Rest assured, you’ll want to keep your eyes on McConaughey’s Flagg. He’ll not only be a major figure in The Stand series but also The Dark Tower and beyond.
Soundtrack Options: ABC’s 1994 mini-series shined for their musical choices, from Blue Öyster Cult’s “Don’t Fear the Reaper” to Crowded House’s “Don’t Dream It’s Over” (both tracks are directly referenced in the books). These films, however, could benefit from taking a more Dogme 95 approach; in other words, use the environment to inject some song selections. Considering this series will take place in modern times, we’ll want to work with some fresh sounds. The National comes to mind, specifically songs like “Slipped”, “Afraid of Everyone”, or “Green Gloves”.
The Circle Opens: Ideally, the first of the four films will be able to establish its primary characters — Stu Redman, Frannie Goldsmith, Larry Underwood, and Nick Andros — as it pertains to the widespread infection of “Captain Trips.” This should also introduce several through-lines specific to this film, such as Shannon’s General William Starkey, whose attempts to contain the virus fail horrifically.
But How Does This All Break Down? The mini-series was brilliantly cut into four parts — “The Plague”, “The Dreams”, “The Betrayal”, and “The Stand”. That’s a pretty agreeable structure, and given that director Josh Boone has already been commissioned to draft four installments, it’s very likely the theatrical films will be slightly similar. However, not only are there aspects of the book that should be expanded upon (e.g., Trashcan Man), but those four sections, especially the first two, could benefit from bleeding details into one another. However, the cliffhangers that the mini-series employed would do wonders on the silver screen, especially the ending of “The Plague”, which sees Stu escape a desolate and corpse-laden CDC facility into the night. There’s no way that doesn’t guarantee sales for the sequel.
Pivotal Scene: When Larry and Nadine enter the Lincoln Tunnel alone, it’s one of the creepiest sequences that King has ever put to paper. The mini-series attempted to capture that horror but only scratched the surface. Odds are Boone recognizes this and has something clever up his sleeve; however, one suggestion would be to film this with zero light. Start taking notes from The Descent, too, in terms of capturing feelings of claustrophobia on the silver screen. Sheesh.
From Page to Screen (Changes From the Book): There’s another great, short scene in the book when Larry goes to see the new Nightmare on Elm Street film, and the narrator implies that, given the world’s impending end, Freddy would not be coming back. That scene would certainly be spooky for theatergoers IRL who will also be anticipating a follow-up by the film’s end. Perhaps they shift Larry’s screening from Nightmare to Star Wars? Or even The Avengers?
The Bridge (Relation to the CU): The events of The Stand factor into a setting that surfaces earlier in the fourth Dark Tower book, Wizard and Glass. Flagg is also the main antagonist throughout most of that series. From here, however, the story for Stu and co. is just about to begin.
2. The Gunslinger
Early Fall 2017 – Six-Episode Season
Synopsis: “The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed.” This cryptic opening line, as short as it is, could also double as a plot summary for the entire novella. Despite the Dark Tower series’ eventual status as King’s magnum opus, the first installment is a singular-minded prologue, a surreal Western where the title character pursues his nemesis, and thus, the Dark Tower as a whole. We’re not sure at this point why the tower serves as Roland’s Holy Grail (frankly, neither is he), but we get small clues that prove to be significant in later novels. The most prominent of these is Jake Chambers, a kid who was killed in a place called Manhattan before waking up in Roland’s Old-West environment of Mid-World.
Cast of Characters: Roland Deschain (Viggo Mortensen), Jake Chambers (Nolan Lyons), Cort (Michael Rooker), Brown (Ray McKinnon), Allie (Esmé Bianco), Young Roland Deschain (Tye Sheridan), Cuthbert Allgood (Michael Zegen), Alain Johns (John Robinson), and The Man in Black (Matthew McConaughey)
The Walk-Ins: In a telling flashback of Roland’s days as a young Gunslinger — think a member of The Magnificent Seven meets one of the Knights of the Round Table — we meet three seemingly minor characters: his hardened mentor Cort and his two peers, Cuthbert Allgood and Alain Johns. All three play significant parts in the fourth Dark Tower entry/prequel, Wizard and Glass. And of course, we’ll see lots more of Jake, even though he plummets to his second death from a broken cart track in a mine shaft. “There are other worlds than these,” he assures Roland, sacrificing himself (and echoing Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings!) so the Gunslinger can catch up to The Man in Black.
Soundtrack Options: Anachronisms run amok in Mid-World, foreshadowing its connection to our own realm. In fact, a honky-tonk version of “Hey Jude” becomes a sort of motif in the novel, even though Roland can’t remember who wrote it. If whatever network produces this puppy could secure the rights to one of The Beatles’ most famous songs, it could easily be a theme — if not the theme — for the mini-series. Slow it down, add a dash of atonality, weave in some fingerpicking, and you’ve got the Stephen King equivalent to Morricone’s “The Ecstasy of Gold” from The Good, The Bad & The Ugly.
Time Is a Flat Circle and Ka Is a Wheel: Matthew McConaughey returns to play The Man in Black, meaning that Black, Walter O’Dim, Marten Broadcloak, a sorcerer named “Flagg” that we’ll meet later in The Eyes of the Dragon, and, of course, Randall Flagg, are all the same person. King’s readers didn’t get this confirmed until the third Dark Tower novel, (even though many had their suspicions), but our viewers would discover The Man in Black’s true identity during the season finale of The Gunslinger. While Roland and Flagg’s final encounter is more philosophical than action-packed — with Flagg merely setting the stage for The Drawing of the Three with tarot cards — the twist ending would hopefully be a shock to anyone not familiar with the books. Think of it as our Nick Fury moment.
That’s One Scary Second Banana: As frightening as Flagg is, keep in mind he’s only a servant to a larger enemy, something he points out to Roland during their last conversation on the Western Sea. Still, we never actually see the Crimson King until much, much later on, thus giving Flagg more agency and making him King’s ultimate baddie.
From Page to Screen: The Gunslinger, while great, doesn’t make a whole lot of sense when you read it. King didn’t know it would be the start of a series that literally connects all of his work when he wrote it, so there’s more of an emphasis on desolate tone than linear storytelling. The show’s network would be wise to front-load some of the action sequences (the shootout at Tull where Roland’s forced to kill his possessed lover, Allie, the escape from the Slow Mutants, etc.), so their viewers can feel like they’re watching a fantastical take on Unforgiven and not a more realistic version of El Topo.
The Bridge: Besides sharing the main villain of The Stand, and many other King novels, The Gunslinger is the first cell of connective tissue to the entire Stephen King universe. Even the savviest audience member won’t recognize this right away (unless they’ve read the books), making repeat viewings all the more rewarding. We also get to see the more ancient world Roland hazily recalls here in our next film…
3. The Eyes of the Dragon
Spring 2018 – Film
Synopsis: A young prince is framed for the murder of his father, the King of Delain. He gets locked in a high tower and must figure out a way to escape and stop the evil sorcerer Flagg (sound familiar?) from carrying out further destruction.
Cast of Characters: Flagg (Matthew McConaughey) and King Roland (Brendan Gleeson). For our two younger protagonists, Peter and Thomas, we prefer to use lesser-known actors because a) it works better that way and b) anyone who would be the right age to play them in 2018 probably hasn’t been in anything yet. This “unknowns” casting approach will become a frequent tool of ours for later films as well, at least for younger roles.
The Walk-Ins: The Walking Dude himself. McConaughey will make his first full appearance as The Man in Black after struttin’ about in blue jeans for The Stand, Part I and only popping up for a cameo at the end of The Gunslinger.
Soundtrack Options: Because this is the most straight-up fantasy tale without a hint of science fiction, alternate dimensions, etc., the score will be light and as minstrel as one can get without entering into Monty Python “Brave, Brave Sir Robin” territory. Euros Childs (Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci) would be up for the challenge.
Swords and … Napkins?: The Eyes of the Dragon‘s toughest sell is explaining to people that an important part of the plot surrounds sturdy napkins. That’s right. Napkins. Not swords or spells. Not even dragons. No, Prince Peter must escape from his imprisonment by foraging together enough napkins to tie together and create a rope both long and strong enough to escape. It sounds boring, but it really isn’t. Not when there’s so much at stake.
Brothers From the Same Mother: Peter and Thomas are your typical siblings in tales of this fare. The older is responsible and level-headed, while the former is impatient and jealous. This causes problems when the former is accused of murder, leaving the younger to suddenly ascend to the unexpected role of king. Things turn out … okay for them in the end, but as an older brother, I can tell you I believe my younger brothers would kill me if they had the chance. Anyways…
From Page to Screen: Flagg’s role will be beefed up considerably. He’s very present in the book, but the film will be tailored to give him more screen time as the devil on young Thomas’ shoulder. Given that the roles of Peter and Thomas (who won’t appear again in this universe of ours) will be played by unknowns, it’s important to have a draw in McConaughey and a veteran in Gleeson to anchor the ship. Speaking of Gleeson, his name is King Roland in the book, but will be changed to King Robert for the film to avoid any confusion.
The Bridge: Because we only see Flagg, a.k.a. The Man in Black, sparingly throughout the rest of The Dark Tower series, it’s important to show how evil he is not only in our world (The Stand) but Roland’s world. This story is but one example of how bad a man (Spirit? Demon?) Flagg is and what he’s capable of, setting the events of the remaining Dark Tower tales in motion.
4. The Stand, Part II
Early Summer 2018 – Film
Synopsis: Seeing as most of the planet is dead, and those left behind (see what I did there?) are scattered, the second Stand film would be a bit slower than the first, focusing on where the survivors end up. In King’s world, there are really only two options: with Mother Abagail in wholesome ol’ Boulder, Colorado, or Randall Flag in sinful Las Vegas. All kidding aside, the restrained pace would make room for some serious spiritual exploration among the characters. King’s God and Devil don’t embody these terms in the traditional religious sense, but more of a cosmic sense — what about each figure is tempting to someone like Stu? Or Larry? Or Harold? Or Nadine, who feels a draw to both? Discuss.
Cast of Characters: As previously seen, Randall Flagg (Mathew McConaughey), Mother Abagail Freemantle, (Cicely Tyson), Stu Redman (Scoot McNairy), Frannie Goldsmith (Anna Kendrick), Larry Underwood (Oscar Isaac), Nick Andros (Michael B. Jordan), Nadine Cross (Rooney Mara), Lloyd Henreid (Walt Goggins), Harold Lauder (Miles Teller), and Trashcan Man (Sharlto Copley); new characters include Glen Bateman (Richard Jenkins), The Kid (Anton Yelchin), Tom Cullen (Leo Fitzpatrick), Susan Stern (Melissa McBride), Dayna Jurgens (Lauren Ambrose), Lucy Swann (Alexis Biedel), Judge Farris (Harvey Keitel), Ralph Brentner (Chris Cooper), Julie Lawry (Zosia Mamet), and Barry Dorgan (Clarke Peters)
The Walk-Ins: Other than Flagg, whom we’ve covered exhaustively, there aren’t any characters pulled directly from other novels. However, King has confirmed that rockabilly psychopath The Kid is indeed a reincarnation of 1950s serial killer Charles Starkweather, the same maniac who inspired the title track of Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska. Seriously, The Kid is bad news. Even The Dark Man frowns upon gun sodomy!
Soundtrack Options: In keeping with our emphasis on naturalistic sound, there probably wouldn’t be a whole lot of music going on. In the aftermath of Captain Tripps, radio stations are nonexistent, and people (save for Larry Underwood) probably aren’t too concerned with having a soundtrack to their grueling hike across the country. Hell, even if they are, there’s nothing to power their phones, computers, etc. Maybe they could lug around battery-operated boomboxes? It would actually be really creepy if the only music we hear (other than Larry playing “Baby, Can You Dig Your Man?” on his guitar for the 40th time) is in The Kid’s car. He exists on a whole other supernatural plane, and some tinny rockabilly leaking from his vehicle’s speakers would go a long way in terms of atmosphere, especially when he’s abusing Trashy.
Vegas, Baby! Vegas!: Something the mini-series never got right was the novel’s complex portrayal of Las Vegas. Yes, there are terrible, violent people there, but King also emphasizes how this isn’t immediately apparent, and after all, wouldn’t Flagg’s plan appeal to many rationally minded citizens? Take Barry Dorgan, for instance — a character who’s more or less depicted as a bullish police chief in the mini-series. In the book, he’s actually calm and somewhat kind, having sided with Flagg because he believes his organization and quick decision-making are the best chances for humanity to regain some of its law and order. The idealistic people in Boulder, on the other hand, actually take a long time to get their shit together. But by the time Dorgan and everyone else realize Flagg’s true nature, it’s too late to escape. A more nuanced Stand adaptation would recognize that the monsters we become are much scarier than the monsters we already are.
The Stand: Borneo: Does anyone find it weird that we never see how Captain Trips affected the rest of the world? I mean, there have to be other survivors all around the globe, right? Does Malaysia have its own version of Randall Flagg and Mother Abagail, or do they not have to worry about picking sides? Maybe the film version could address this with some kind of montage.
From Page to Screen: Even with all the room four three-hour films would provide for exploring the characters’ faiths and adding more layers to the villains, the screenwriter would still have to trim the fat somewhere. The best solution? Composite characters. Barry Dorgan and Whitney Horgan essentially fill the same roles (their last names even rhyme!), and the ABC mini-series was right to combine Nadine Cross and Rita Blakemoor back in ’94. It’s a shame because the characters are so different (and show different sides of Larry), but there just isn’t time for him to meet up with that many people on his way to Boulder.
The Bridge: The Stand‘s quietest entry would end on a relatively optimistic note, with droves of wanderers arriving at Mother Abagail’s doorstep in Boulder or Flagg’s casino palace in Vegas. Remember, no matter which side a character chooses, they’re still just looking for a home in a world that’s gone out with a whimper. Such a low-key ending gives us a nice break in the action, prepping us for another trip to Mid-World.
5. The Drawing of the Three
Late Fall 2018 – 13-Episode Season
Synopsis: Roland awakens startled on a beach along the Western Sea following his Tarot Card reading with the Man in Black. The confused and injured Gunslinger limps down the shore and encounters a series of three doors that open to different periods of time and reality in New York City. Each of these portals bears a name from the Tarot deck: The Prisoner, The Lady of Shadows, and The Pusher, respectively. Behind these doors are the new members of Roland’s ka-tet, whose common destiny will lead the Gunslinger to the Dark Tower at the center of the universe.
Cast of Characters: As previously seen, Roland Deschain (Viggo Mortensen), Randall Flagg (Matthew McConaughey), and Jake Chambers (Nolan Lyons); new characters include Eddie Dean (Dane DeHaan), Henry Dean (Emile Hirsch), Jack Andolini (Vincent Piazza), Rico Balazar (Frank Vincent), Odetta Holmes (Lupita Nyong’o), and Jack Mort (Paul Schulze)
The Walk-Ins: Roland reminiscences about crossing paths with Thomas and Dennis, the two lads from Eyes of the Dragon who left the in-world realm of Delain in pursuit of Flagg. Eddie Dean’s drug dealer, Rico Balazar, is also rumored to be in cahoots with Mafia enforcer Ginelli, who appears as a character of note in Thinner.
Three Doors Down: This chapter of the series is important because it establishes that Roland is no Superman. He is a hero sure, but he’s also cranky, impatient, and disdainful of others. His interactions with Eddie, a lackadaisical but golden-hearted heroin addict, stand as a foil to Roland’s unflinching adherence to rules and customs. The two men have a lot to learn from one another, making it one of the most interesting relationships in the story.
The fact that the next two members of Roland’s crew are a wheelchair-bound amputee and an 11-year-old boy also warns the begrudging Gunslinger that he will need to learn to compromise if he’s to be successful on his quest. Roland will also need to humble himself so that he’s not afraid to lean on his new compatriots for strength in his own times of weakness.
Soundtrack Options: A number of songs from different eras are referenced or heard throughout the text as Roland travels between his own reality and alternate New York realities that fall during the years 1964, 1977, 1987, respectively. Eddie Dean, channeling his inner Stephen King, is a big a fan of Creedence Clearwater Revival. “Lookin’ Out My Backdoor” and “Down on the Corner” both make an appearance in scenes featuring Eddie, as do The Ramones, another personal fave of Mr. King’s. Odetta’s reality is soundtracked by Duke Ellington, Dodie Stephens, and the soulful Billie Holiday, while Jake’s timeframe is peppered with cuts from Van Halen, George Harrison, and ZZ Top. A number of seemingly random but culturally important acts, like Bob Dylan, John Lennon, and Barbara Streisand, also start to crop up more often as the fabric of time and space springs holes like a leaking dam, exposing more of our own reality to Mid-World.
Pivotal Scene: Roland faces down murderous thug and all around sociopath Jack Mort, affording the Gunslinger a chance for redemption after his selfish actions in book one.
Mother Nature Stirs the Pot: A pod of vicious ‘lobstrosities’ alter the course of Roland’s travels early into the story. This freak accident humbles the Gunslinger, reminding him he can only get by with a little help from his friends.
From Page to Screen: The special effects and location scouting teams will certainly earn their keep during this entry to the series. While book one occurs in a mostly sparse and dark western landscape, The Drawing of the Three bounces between an alien beach full of monsters and three distinct New York eras. This can get tricky, especially as budgets go. The legacy of Mayor Giuliani’s broken window policy has whitewashed so much of Manhattan that Travis Bickle would hardly have anything left to complain about. Seedier parts of the five boroughs must exist somewhere, though. A combination of weathered store facades, old signage, and era-appropriate automobiles used in conjunction with CGI enhancements can help make New York look like a city that time forgot. As long as the ka-tet avoids Times Square and doesn’t hold a pavlar atop the High Line, we should be fine.
The Bridge: The Gunslinger forged his new ka-tet by intervening in each member’s life at a crucial moment. Eddie, Jake, and Odetta/Detta/Susanah have all earned their spot by overcoming major personal obstacles and by learning how to trust again. Roland is still weary about the newcomers, knowing he may need to sacrifice them on his quest to the Dark Tower. But for now, it’s Roland who is at death’s door. The injuries he suffered at the start of the film have finally brought him down. Eddie, who just kicked the habit, must find the necessary drugs in order to save his new leader. Ka truly is a wheel, one that even connects the creators of both Mid-World and our world, as we’ll find out in the next, seemingly unrelated film.
6. It
Early Summer 2019 – Film
Synopsis: After defeating a monster in their childhood, a group grows up only to discover “It” has re-emerged from the sewers. They must reunite to take “It” down once and for all.
Cast of Characters: The kids would be unknowns, but for the adults: Bill Denbrough (Jake Gyllenhaal), Ben Hanscom (Ethan Embry), Bev Marsh (Jessica Chastain), Richie Tozier (Bill Hader), Eddie Kaspbrak (Charlie Day), Mike Hanlon (Anthony Mackie), and Stan Uris (David Krumholtz); and, of course, Pennywise the Dancing Clown (Crispin Glover)
The Walk-Ins: Maturin the Turtle. If you’re only familiar with the It mini-series, you’re probably wondering what the hell I’m talking about. However, Maturin is a powerful being that plays a major part in It the book and will play a part in this movie adaptation. Most importantly, Maturin represents a part of the beam from The Dark Tower.
Soundtrack Options: Because Cary Fukunaga is on tap to direct the film, it’s only right that composer Dario Marianelli (who composed Fukunaga’s Jane Eyre adaptation) re-team with the director for It. Marianelli is also a three-time Oscar nominee, winning for 2007’s Atonement. And of course, the movie wouldn’t be complete without being chock-full of early ‘90s pop music for the flashbacks (remember this movie comes out in 2019, so the kids’ scenes are in the early ‘90s).
How Do You Replace Tim Curry?: You don’t. All you can do is press ahead. The 1991 adaptation had its flaws, to be sure, but Tim Curry was perfectly cast as the clown Pennywise. His interpretation was as scary to see from across a swamp as he was up close with fangs drawn in the Derry sewers. It’s hard to imagine anyone else saying, “They all float…” with that same detached menace, but I will be mighty curious to see what Crispin Glover could do with that material.
Make It R, But Not a Gore Fest: An R allows for more language, kids’ smoking, and, yes, violence, but Fukunaga doesn’t need to knock us over the head with it. The scariest parts of It are knowing Pennywise or whatever It uses is just around the corner or even in plain sight. Biting armpits and ripping arms off can remove the tension, so the violence will be treated with equal respect. Jesus, I’m pretentious when talkin’ ’bout Sai King!
From Page to Screen: The change from the book actually stays in line with the mini-series: the film opens with everyone receiving calls that It is back, followed by the childhood scenes, and closing with the present-day nightmare. The back-and-forth between childhood and adulthood events works on the written page, but wouldn’t translate to the screen. Oh, and no orgy between the kids. They find their way out of the sewers sans this uncomfortable moment from the novel.
The Bridge: It isn’t strong and sturdy, but definitely slow and steady. Yes, Maturin’s role in The Dark Tower Universe will be revealed near the beginning of…
7. The Wastelands
Fall 2019 – Full 13-Episode Season
Synopsis: We begin at a Beam, one of six that intersects with the Dark Tower. To follow it, however, Roland, Eddie, and Susannah must dispatch its guardian, a giant bear named Shardik (the aforementioned Maturin resides on the opposite end of this Beam). They’ll also need to complete their ka-tet, which they do by saving Jake from his world and recruiting Oy, an adorable billy-bumbler they find on the road. After reaching the post-apocalyptic city of Lud — and encountering a whole host of unsavory characters — they hop aboard Blaine the Mono, a sentient train that will ferry them across the poisoned wastelands … if they can solve its riddles.
Cast of Characters: As previously seen, Roland Deschain (Viggo Mortensen), Randall Flagg (Matthew McConaughey), Eddie Dean (Dane DeHaan), Susannah Dean (Lupita Nyong’o), and Jake Chambers (Nolan Lyons); new characters include Oy (voiced by Frank Welker), Blaine the Mono (Kevin Spacey), Tick-Tock Man (Dwayne Johnson), Calvin Tower (Paul Giamatti), and Aaron Deepneau (Kevin Nealon)
The Walk-Ins: Dressed as a gunslinger and forgoing his Marten Broadcloak alias for the name Richard Fannin, Flagg makes an appearance in the final moments, recruiting the wounded Tick-Tock Man as his servant.
Soundtrack Options: Z.Z. Top, baby. The Bearded Ones are referenced no less than four times during The Wastelands. Odd, sure, but King’s no stranger to classic (cock) rock: Anthrax, Megadeth, Zeppelin, and even the Rolling Stones (“I see a red door and I want to paint it black…” Apropos, yes?) will all have a spin on this LP that is ka.
Now That’s a Premiere! A gunfight with a giant, bloodthirsty bear. Seriously, that’s how this shit starts. If that doesn’t hook viewers, what in ka’s name will? (Boobs, probably.)
Take in the Scenery: Free from those dusty “Old West” towns and The Drawing of the Three’s endless beaches and skyscrapers, The Wastelands allows for some of the most stunning visual effects yet: the Beam’s magnetic pull, the sprawling, crumbling metropolis of Lud, and Blaine the Mono, which I’ve been itchin’ to see onscreen for years now.
From Page to Screen: Spending even more time in Jake’s New York could help us understand the boy as simply that: a boy. His travails as a member of Roland’s ka-tet will resonate all the more should we see him in our world—at home, with friends, in a routine. Think of The Neverending Story, those moments when the fantasy world begins clashing with Sebastian’s world; we needed the normalcy to heighten the fantastical. Those were indelible moments for adults and children, and Jake’s journey from New York to Mid-World could have all the same resonance.
The Bridge: The Wastelands marks the first time we see Flagg adopt one of his RF aliases in the world of The Dark Tower, which should whet appetites for the next chapter in The Stand…
8. The Stand, Part III
Thanksgiving 2019 – Film
Synopsis: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” Peter 5:8. The Boulder Free Zone is up and running, but Mother Abagail has seen better days. To make matters worse, The Walking Dude and his lowly followers are entrenched in Las Vegas. He’s also arranged for some explosive chaos in the Free Zone. It’s here when the survivors face up to the fact that they must take their titular stand against the demon in the city of sin. Four crucial members of The Free Zone’s leadership committee set off on this odyssey, warned that one of them will fall along the way.
Cast of Characters: Randall Flagg (Mathew McConaughey), Mother Abagail Freemantle (Cicely Tyson), Stu Redman (Scoot McNairy), Frannie Goldsmith (Anna Kendrick), Larry Underwood (Oscar Isaac), Glen Bateman (Richard Jenkins), Nick Andros (Michael B. Jordan), Nadine Cross (Rooney Mara), Lloyd Henreid (Walt Goggins), Harold Lauder (Miles Teller), Trashcan Man (Sharlto Copley), Tom Cullen (Leo Fitzpatrick), Susan Stern (Melissa McBride), Dayna Jurgens (Lauren Ambrose), Lucy Swann (Alexis Biedel), Judge Farris (Harvey Keitel), Ralph Brentner (Chris Cooper), Julie Lawry (Zosia Mamet), and Barry Dorgan (Clarke Peters)
The Quiet Before the Storm: The sides have been drawn, the set pieces are in place, and things are finally ready to start boiling over. Like The Dark Knight and the Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers before it, this penultimate installment is going to be full of depressing and troublesome moments as the climactic tensions build to a head.
Sid and Nancy: One pair to keep an eye on is Harold and Nadine, who never fit in quite right at the Free Zone, nor anywhere for that matter. The heavy toll of jealousy, hate, and unbridled lust has hollowed them past the point of redemption. And Flagg, always on the hunt for idle hands to do his dirty work, fills their empty hearts with his own sinister purpose.
Don’t Get Too Attached: The combination of Randall Flagg, Captain Tripps, and the demented mind of Stephen King is a poisonous cocktail. Anyone can die. And often they do. This section of the story carries on that legacy with a number of violent and tragic deaths that should have a tremendous impact on the audience. Somewhere, George R.R. Martin tips his hat in approval.
From Page to Screen: As peaceful as Vegas initially seems in the second film, Flagg’s true nature would start to become apparent in the third, allowing the filmmakers to start highlighting Biblical connections between Sodom, Gomorrah, and Vegas. This comparison was made in the 1994 mini-series, which included public executions and a lot of kooky decadence. But much of the fear was lost to camp. It also occurred in the pre-9/11 world, meaning that the dated evil no longer holds up as a terrifying version of dystopia. This reboot will be a chance to show the place for what it is: Flagg’s playground! Imagine a real life Hell on Earth replete with torturous mayhem, sexual violence (but no drugs!), and a sick sense of enjoyment. This is a horror movie after all. Let’s ramp things up and make it hard to show sympathy for the devil.
The Bridge: Mother Abagail’s prophecies have come true as one of the members has fallen during their long walk to Vegas. But the rest continue to march, still unaware of the horror that lies in wait. But they carry on in the name of God. And baby, he’s a righteous God, a God that anyone hoping to survive in our next film will need on their side.
9. ‘Salem’s Lot
Late Spring 2020 – Film
Synopsis: In what may be one of the simplest King premises, an outbreak of vampirism overtakes the small Maine town of Jerusalem’s Lot. Ben Mears, a novelist who grew up in the Lot, returns to his former stomping ground to work on his latest book, but ends up uncovering the village’s dark secret, which, let’s face it, is an unsettling metaphor for the dark secrets of any small town. Along with his love interest Susan Norton, teacher Matt Burke, local doctor Jimmy Cody, high-schooler Mark Petrie, and alcoholic priest Father Donald Callahan, Mears attempts to vanquish this new yet ancient evil.
Cast of Characters: Ben Mears (Michael Fassbender), Susan Norton (Stacy Martin), Jimmy Cody (Jon Michael Hill), Matt Burke (William H. Macy), Mark Petrie (unknown), Father Donald Callahan (Keith Carradine), William Straker (Terry O’Quinn), and Kurt Barlow (Doug Jones)
The Walk-Ins: While ‘Salem’s Lot doesn’t feature any previously seen King characters (not even Randall Flagg!), Father Callahan and the race of vampires as a whole go on to play a huge part in all subsequent Dark Tower entries. He may flee ‘Salem’s Lot after being forced to drink the blood of head vampire Kurt Barlow, but let’s just say his dealings with bloodsuckers are far from over.
Soundtrack Options: Since Callahan mentions traveling across time when we see him next in The Dark Tower V: Wolves of the Calla, we’d keep the film version of Salem’s Lot in its original 1975 setting. That means lots of classic rock and AM pop used to score horrific events. Remember how brilliantly Halloween II used “Mr. Sandman” for its opening and closing? Or the shootout in Manhunter set to “In-A-Godda-Da-Vida”? Here, we could maybe have “Cortez the Killer” play under the final attack on Barlow and Straker’s gothic mansion. King’s always been a huge Neil Young fan.
Third Time’s a Charm: There have already been two mini-series adaptations of ‘Salem’s Lot. Tobe Hooper’s 1979 version was high on atmosphere but low on character development, and Mikael Salomon’s 2004 take was just okay, with both making confusingly significant departures from the novel. We’d play our cards close to the chest, focusing solely on the complicated relationships in the town for the first half of the film, and not showing a single visual hint of a vampire until the deceased Danny Glick scratches at his brother’s window. Horror only becomes horror when you care about the people involved.
Nosferipoff: One thing Hooper did nail was his depiction of Barlow. In the book, he’s more of a suave Old-Europe type (Rutger Hauer played him in the 2004 series), but Hooper smartly made him more of an invincible parasite in the vein (pun intended!) of Count Orlok — all bald head, pointy ears, and minimal dialogue. His debonair lackey, William Straker, is the brains, and he’s the brawn. We’d take a similar route, going as far to amplify Barlow’s grotesqueness with a performance by Doug Jones, whose experience playing creatures such as Hellboy‘s Abe Sapien and that thing with eyes in its hands in Pan’s Labyrinth will no doubt make for some chilling, otherworldly movement work.
From Page to Screen: No doubt, many of ‘Salem’s Lot‘s subplots concerning the townsfolk will have to be cut, if only for length. For example, Reggie Sawyer and his cheating wife, Bonnie, while interesting, aren’t exactly essential to the story. One could argue that the McDougall family is equally disposable, but we’d opt to keep them in, if only for the creepy image of an infant vampire sleeping underneath a trailer home.
The Bridge: The last time we see Father Callahan is on a bus out of town, his destination revealed in the fifth Dark Tower season, But first, let’s finish the tale that started this whole thing in the first place.
10. The Stand, Part IV
Late Summer 2020 – Film
Synopsis: “When the night has come/ And the land is dark/ And the moon is the only light we’ll see/ I won’t be afraid/ Just as long as you stand by me.” — Ben E. King. When we last saw our fateful travelers — Stu Redman, Larry Underwood, Glen Bateman, and Ralph Brentner — they were departing Boulder, CO, on their way to Las Vegas by foot. The fourth and final entry in The Stand will pick up soon after as they experience some major challenges on the road. We’ll also discover how important Trashcan Man has been all along as the battle of good against evil comes to an epic conclusion in the most sinful of cities.
Cast of Characters: Randall Flagg (Mathew McConaughey), Mother Abagail Freemantle (Cicely Tyson), Stu Redman (Scoot McNairy), Frannie Goldsmith (Anna Kendrick), Larry Underwood (Oscar Isaac), Glen Bateman (Richard Jenkins), Nadine Cross (Rooney Mara), Lloyd Henreid (Walt Goggins), Harold Lauder (Miles Teller), Trashcan Man (Sharlto Copley), Tom Cullen (Leo Fitzpatrick), Dayna Jurgens (Lauren Ambrose), Lucy Swann (Alexis Biedel), Judge Farris (Harvey Keitel), Ralph Brentner (Chris Cooper), Julie Lawry (Zosia Mamet), and Barry Dorgan (Clarke Peters)
Soundtrack Options: While I’d love to see Harold Lauder skid off his bike as he’s listening to Arctic Monkeys, I think the majority of the film’s dire scenes would do best with a traditional score. That being said, Vegas should be an enviable location — and not the obvious wasteland as it was in the mini-series — so perhaps there could be an appearance of several high-end DJs or various rock shows at the city’s clubs, which could afford appearances by anyone from Diplo to Queens of the Stone Age (if they’re still alive, that is). Just an idea.
In God’s Hands: Prior to Boone’s involvement, word leaked about an ending that screenwriter David Kajganich had conceived, which departed heavily from the book. Apparently, the Free Zone Four get an army together, march into Vegas, and fight Flagg in an “Akira-like battle.” Stu has God-like powers and duels one-on-one with Flagg in a citywide tussle akin to The Avengers, Man of Steel, Transformers, and basically every other blockbuster of the past few years.
While the studios will undoubtedly want a grand finale, it would serve the story best to find a strong middle ground between that over-the-top catastrophe and the book’s “hand of God” conclusion that might prove underwhelming on-screen. One idea of Kajganich’s that could be worth keeping involves Trashcan Man destroying a dam in Boulder — not a bad move with regards to upping the stakes. Regardless, Boone has his work cut out for him.
From Page to Screen: Keep the ambiguity! When Stu and Frannie are holding the newborn baby, wondering if humanity will learn anything from the battle, the whole “I don’t know” bit is great and classic King. On screen, it works like a charm. Think about No Country for Old Men, specifically how the film fades into darkness. Let the fade amplify the feelings.
The Bridge/The Circle Closes: The “wheel of ka” coda that appeared in King’s 1989 expanded edition should absolutely be a post-credits sequence for this film. Fans of The Dark Tower will appreciate this addition, and it’ll assist in letting casual viewers know there’s a CU to behold. If it’s framed a certain way, it can act as a bridge for that year’s season of Wizard and Glass. Speaking of which…
11. Wizard and Glass
Fall 2020 – Full 13-Episode Season
Synopsis: There’s a prologue (wherein Roland and his ka-tet outsmart Blaine the Mono) and an epilogue (an ambush by Randall Flagg and the Tick-Tock Man), but the real meat of Wizard and Glass is in the story of Roland’s lost love, which he divulges to the group. In it, he and his friends Cuthbert and Alain journey to Barony of Mejis, where they discover a rebellion faction, a trio of mercenaries, and Rhea of the Cöos, a witch who possesses the prophetic Maerlyn’s Rainbow. Then there’s Susan Delgado, Roland’s one true love who gets tragically burned at the stake for colluding with him.
Cast of Characters: As previously seen, Roland Deschain (Viggo Mortensen), Eddie Dean (Dane DeHaan), Susannah Dean (Lupita Nyong’o), Jake Chambers (Nolan Lyons), Oy (voiced by Frank Welker), Randall Flagg (Matthew McConaughey), Tick-Tock Man (Dwayne Johnson), Young Roland Deschain (Tye Sheridan), Cuthbert Allgood (Michael Zegen), and Alain Johns (John Robinson); new characters include Susan Delgado (Elle Fanning), Rhea of the Cöos (Patricia Clarkson), Sheemie (Paul Dano), and Eldred Jonas (Danny Trejo)
The Walk-Ins: The most notable character from King’s universe to appear in Wizard and Glass isn’t a character at all, but an event: Captain Tripps, the superflu that ravaged Earth in The Stand. After exiting, Blaine the Mono, Roland and co. find themselves in a version of Topeka, Kansas, that’s been, like so many cities in The Stand, all but decimated by the disease. “Watch out for the Walking Dude,” goes the graffiti on a highway exit, and by now we all know who that is. Hell, we’ll see him in the final chapter.
Soundtrack Options: Someone call T-Bone Burnett. Barony of Mejis’ bucolic surroundings and agricultural bent lend themselves to the minor keys and placid amble of the musician’s best scores.
Wait … A Flashback Season? I know. And were I a casual viewer, I’d hate it, too. But this Constant Reader can assure you: Wizard and Glass might be the best entry in the Dark Tower pantheon. By equal turns thrilling, romantic, and gory as hell, Wizard and Glass reels you in quick with a rich, diverse ensemble and the thrill that comes with seeing our hero as a wide-eyed, emotionally available teenager.
Love on the Rocks: As with the Marvel universe, the world of The Dark Tower isn’t one you’d necessarily deem, well, romantic. Wizard and Glass fixes that, giving weight and pathos to its love story without skimping on the action. If any entry in this CU is for couples, it’s this one.
From Page to Screen: Wizard and Glass is a bit, shall we say, unbalanced. It anchors itself with such an absorbing story that we’re hesitant to include the bombs King drops during its final pages, which include the explosive truths about what happened between Roland, his mother, and the evil sorcerer Marten Broadcloak (who, as we know by now, was actually Randall Flagg) . As you’ll see in our entry for The Wind Through the Keyhole, we’ve opted to save Roland’s concluding visions for that entry, where they’ll be given the weight they deserve.
The Bridge: Since Wind Through the Keyhole – an anthology of sorts that was released long after the series had ended as a bridge between Wizard and Glass and Wolves of the Calla – is simply a continuation of the events of Wizard and Glass, there is no real bridge. The next entry picks up right where this one left off.
12. The Wind Through the Keyhole
Early Summer 2021 – Anthology Film
Synopsis: More of a coda to the Dark Tower series (the novella was released in 2012), The Wind Through the Keyhole still fits in with the linear narrative of the story, taking place between books four and five. Roland and his ka-tet find themselves holed up during a cyclone-like storm called a starkblast. How do they pass the time? By spinning more yarns, of course. The main story-within-a-story concerns a young Roland and his cohort Jamie De Curry searching for a murderous shape-shifter (The Skin-Man). Along the way though, the young Roland tells another story of a another boy named Tim Ross and his battle of wits against a tax collector who goes by the name The Covenant Man. This tale also involves a starkblast, in addition to a dragon, a magical tiger, and a benevolent group of swamp people, making The Wind Through the Keyhole the most outright fantastical King work next to The Eyes of the Dragon. Anyway, all of the threads get resolved by the end: Roland’s story of Tim, Roland’s story of hunting The Skin Man, and King’s story of the ka-tet braving the starkblast for their continued journey toward the Tower.
Cast of Characters: As previously seen, Roland Deschain (Viggo Mortensen), Randall Flagg (Matthew McConaughey), Eddie Dean (Dane DeHaan), Susannah Dean (Lupita Nyong’o), Jake Chambers (Nolan Lyons), Oy (voiced by Frank Welker), Young Roland Deschain (Tye Sheridan), Cuthbert Allgood (Michael Zegen), and Alain Johns (John Robinson); new characters include Jamie De Curry (unknown); Tim Ross (unknown), Steven Deschain (Josh Brolin), Gabrielle Deschain (Rachel Weisz), Maerlyn (Tim Roth), Bill (unknown), and The Skin Man (John Hawkes)
The Walk-Ins: We’ve seen most of the characters before in previous Dark Tower entries, and we finally get a look at Roland’s parents after hearing so much about them. Also, The Covenant Man turns out to be — surprise! — Randall Flagg. Betcha didn’t see that one coming!
Soundtrack Options: Seeing as The Wind Through the Keyhole combines the more Western elements of The Gunslinger with the outright fantasy of The Eyes of the Dragon, it would make sense to blend the scores of the two into some kind of Morricone-“Carmina Burmana” hybrid.
Wait, How Many Stories Are There? Since the movie takes place within a single narrative, we’re using the term “anthology film” loosely. Still, it would make sense for each tale to have a chapter title card a la Pulp Fiction so the viewer doesn’t get too confused.
I’m Still Confused. Can You Break It Down?: Sure. Here’s the structure of the film, as divided up by its title cards:
– Chapter One: “The Starkblast” – Our framing story where Roland and his ka-tet take shelter from the storm
– Chapter Two: “The Skin Man” – Our flashback story where Steven Deschain sends Roland and Jamie on their quest
– Chapter Three: “Treachery” – Our flashback within a flashback where Roland remembers killing his mother. Taking its name from the Marvel Comics Dark Tower arc of the same name, the story-within-a-story ignites when young Roland and Jamie stumble across his mother’s former community of Serenity.
– Chapter Four: “The Wind Through the Keyhole” – After going back to Roland and Jamie’s search for The Skin Man for a bit, Roland tells his tale of Tim Ross and The Covenant Man.
– Chapter Five: “The Skin Man Concluded” – After our second story-within-a-story, we go back to The Skin Man and resolve that story arc.
– Chapter Six: “Epilogue” – Now that the starkblast is over and our various stories are told, we go back to the framing story of Roland and his ka-tet. Which brings us to…
From Page to Screen: As stated above, we’d throw in an additional flashback story of Roland accidentally killing his mother. Granted, this vision happens in Wizard and Glass, but since Roland’s father sends him to find the Skin Man specifically so he can get away from Eld after his mother’s death, we figure it makes more sense to include it here, in a multi-spoke work (or multi-beamed, if you will) that’s purposely made up of tales that flesh out Mid-World. When young Roland and Jamie pass a covenant where Gabrielle Deschain lived after her mental breakdown, it’s only natural that his matricidal memory would come back to haunt him.
The Bridge: The gang continues their journey, with the film ending as they arrive at a tiny farming village known as Calla Bryn Sturgis. Phew!
13. Wolves of the Calla
Fall 2021 – Full 13-Episode Season
Synopsis: Inspired by Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai, or its Western remake The Magnificent Seven, the fifth entry in the Dark Tower saga finds Roland’s ka-tet helping the poor citizens of the small farming village, Calla Bryn Sturgis, in their fight against the deadly Wolves of Thunderclap. Each generation, the Wolves storm through the town, kidnapping one child from each pair of the town’s twins, only to return them mentally handicapped and doomed to a short life.
Cast of Characters: As previously seen, Roland Descain (Viggo Mortensen), Eddie Dean (Dane DeHaan), Susannah Dean (Lupita Nyong’o), Jake Chambers (Nolan Lyons), Oy (voiced by Frank Welker); Father Donald Callahan (Keith Carradine), Jack Andolini (Vincent Piazza), and Rico Balazar (Frank Vincent); new characters include Tian Jaffords (Jake Lacy), Zalia Jaffords (Jemima Kirke), Vaughn Eisenhart (Donal Logue), Margaret Eisenhart (Anna Gunn), Rosalita Munoz (Cara Buono), Ben Slightman, Sr. (Frank Whaley), Benny Slightman, Jr. (unknown), Rowan Magruder (Matthew Modine), The Hitler Brothers (Emory Cohen and Devon Sawa), and Andy the Robot (voiced by Stephan Merchant)
The Walk-Ins: Father Donald Callahan of Salem’s Lot fame becomes a major component of Roland’s ka-tet. Also say hello again to Calvin Tower, of The Manhattan Restaurant of the Mind bookstore, his pal, Aaron Deepneau, the salacious gang leader, Enrico Balazar, his pal, Jack Andolini, and yes, the mythical rose.
So, It’s a Sequel to Salem’s Lot? It’s the closest you’ll get to one. Through Callahan’s tales, you discover what actually happened to hero Ben Mears, in addition to the many leaderless vampires that left the Lot and scattered across the nation. The way King simultaneously weaves Callahan into the Dark Tower mythos and expands upon his original vampire novella just begs for an intricate CU. This explains why we’ve aligned the Salem’s Lot film to this particular season — they’re only a year apart.
Soundtrack Options: In Calla, most of the musical cues should stick strictly to the traditional scores. However, the todash trips and Callahan’s parables of New York warrant some great use of songs, from Lou Reed (“Walk on the Wild Side”) to The Rolling Stones (“19th Nervous Breakdown”) to Mungo Jerry (“In the Summertime”). One song that is mandatory, however, is Elton John’s “Someone Saved My Life Tonight”, which should prove quite emotional when it finally rings out. I’m getting chills just thinking about it.
No. 19, No. 19, No. 19: This installment is when the ka-tet grows increasingly obsessed with the ominous number, which comes to represent everything from Stephen King’s age when he conceived the idea of The Dark Tower to the day he was struck by an oncoming vehicle (ahem, June 19, 1999). It’s no mistake this particular CU of ours involves 19 separate entries. Thankee-sai.
From Page to Screen: The Dark Tower littered itself with pop culture references from its very first few pages — do you recall “Hey Jude” at the saloon? — but King shoots guns ablaze here. Not only do the titular baddies look like Marvel’s Dr. Doom, but they also wield sneetches from Harry Potter and lightsabers via Star Wars. These elements may seem rather tongue-in-cheek, and in a way they are, but they also prove integral to the overall fabric that makes up Mid-World. Still, producers might have difficulty incorporating these elements, possibly even legally, so if that’s to change, don’t be surprised.
The Bridge: On the whole, Wolves of the Calla is a transitional installment for the series — a recalibration, if you will. Roland’s ka-tet adds an additional member, and they encounter a number of threads that will prove vital in the following two entries, from Callahan’s involvement with the Sombra Corporation, to where the Wolves dwell, to a groundbreaking discovery on Tower’s bookshelf. Needless to say, each week’s episode should prove pretty, pretty, prett-ay revelatory.
14. From a Buick 8
Spring 2022 – Film
Synopsis: Essentially a series of recollections, From a Buick 8 follows young Ned Wilcox as he attempts to piece together a connection between the death of his father and a mysterious Buick Roadmaster that the state police keeps cordoned off in its barracks. Sergeant Sandy Dearborn, an old friend of Ned’s father, does his best to keep the boy from disturbing whatever malevolent force is under the hood.
Cast of Characters: Ned Wilcox (unknown), Sandy Dearborn (Frank Grillo), and Brian Lippy (Kevin Rankin)
The Walk-Ins: No characters, necessarily, but From a Buick 8 does offer a glimpse into “todash darkness,” the void between worlds. There’s also the curious figure we glimpse driving the car, but more on him below…
Soundtrack Options: Why not Bob Dylan’s “From a Buick 6″, which King drew upon for this story’s title?
Another Scary Car? ‘Tis true, Constant Reader, but where Christine actively hunted its pray, dousing it with equal parts pulp and cheese, the Buick 8 occupies an altogether more supernatural realm.
A (Not So) Empty Vessel: Yes, the car is a lifeless husk, but it’s still a vessel: a vessel between worlds, but also between a host of rich, challenging themes. In King’s words, the story is “a meditation on the essentially indecipherable quality of life’s events, and how impossible it is to find a coherent meaning in those events.” Very true, though the subsequent films will provide us more answers than poor Ned and Sandy ever get.
From Page to Screen: More on the Buick 8’s driver, as he and his ilk will play a major role soon enough. And in the end, when Ned and Sandy are nearly sucked into the Buick 8’s portal, a prolonged glimpse at the todash monsters that lie beyond, many of whom we’ll encounter in the final two Dark Tower books.
The Bridge: Audiences would likely leave From a Buick 8 wondering just who (or what) was driving that car. The next film on the docket just might have an answer…
15. Low Men in Yellow Coats
Summer 2022 – Film
Synopsis: An old man rents out an upstairs room from a single mother, whose son is curious as to who the man is and where he’s from, especially when he discovers the wondrous talent he possesses. All answers, of course, point to the Dark Tower…
Cast of Characters: Ted Brautigan (Morgan Freeman), Bobby Garfield (unknown), Carol Gerber (unknown), John Sullivan (unknown), and Liz Garfield (Amy Adams)
The Walk-Ins: The Can-toi from Wolves of the Calla and a brief glimpse of The Crimson King in a story told by Ted, but no one else from the movie universe so far makes an appearance. However, a certain character from this movie will play a major part in a future film…
Soundtrack Options: Providing the score is Danny Elfman, but not the Elfman of Tim Burton movies. I’m talking about the Elfman who scored Gus Van Sant’s Good Will Hunting. The tender, nostalgic music playing through the opening credits of that film is the same atmosphere that Elfman will be entering into with this the 10th (!) movie of The Dark Tower Universe.
Wasn’t This Movie Already Made? An adaptation of the same short story was released in 2001 under the title of Hearts in Atlantis (the name of the book it is featured in). It’s actually a nice little movie, with Anthony Hopkins well cast and a young Anton Yelchin (Chekov, Kyle Reese, etc.) as young Bobby Garfield. Any references to The Dark Tower are omitted, and the “low men” appear to be shady government agents, though who they are is never implicitly stated.
Isn’t “Ted” Supposed to be White? Wasn’t “Red” in The Shawshank Redemption supposed to be white, as well? Morgan Freeman did just fine in that film (see: Oscar nomination) and will do a great job as Ted in this movie universe. Ted does most of the talking when he converses with the young, wide-eyed Bobby, so we need those smooth tones to take us through a mostly quiet film.
From Page to Screen: Not too many changes to the main story, just some plotlines being beefed up. There will be much more discussion about Ted being a “breaker,” as well as images from the aforementioned “Crimson King” and “other worlds than these”. The Low Men’s identities will be revealed earlier on, as well, making this film much more fantastical than the previous movie adaptation.
The Bridge: The Low Men’s work is not done, as we discover in the forthcoming Song of Susannah.
16. Song of Susannah
Fall 2022 – Full 13-Episode Season
Synopsis: Immediately following the battle against the Wolves, a possessed Susannah leaves Mid-World and crosses over into New York City circa 1999 to deliver her demon baby. Stranded in Calla, Roland, Eddie, Jake, Father Callahan, and Oy enlist the aid of a local group of religious mystics to activate the Doorway Cave and follow in pursuit. However, they must also secure the vacant lot owned by Calvin Tower, which forces Roland and Eddie to head towards Maine in 1977 while Callahan, Jake, and Oy chase after Susannah in 1999, effectively splitting up their ka-tet.
Cast of Characters: As previously seen, Roland Deschain (Viggo Mortensen), Eddie Dean (Dane DeHaan), Susannah Dean (Lupita Nyong’o), Jake Chambers (Nolan Lyons), Oy (voiced by Frank Welker), Father Donald Callahan (Keith Carradine), Calvin Tower (Paul Giamatti), Aaron Deepneau (Kevin Nealon), and Stephen King (Joe Hill); new characters include Mia (Christina Ricci); Richard Patrick Sayre (Arliss Howard), and John Cullum (Judd Nelson)
The Walk-Ins: This installment actually introduces us to the term “walk-ins,” as defined by John Cullum to Roland and Eddie as “…people who just appear. Sometimes they’re dressed in old-fashioned clothes, as if they came from … ago, I guess you’d say.” In a rather meta twist, these random travelers started appearing around Maine once Mr. Stephen King arrived in Lovell to write. Speaking of meta, the book also includes the author himself as an integral character.
Soundtrack Options: Plenty of Bob Dylan. We’re talking “Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again”, “Visions of Johanna”, “I Shall be Released”, and “Blowin’ in the Wind”. There’s also a bevy of classic folk included: “John Henry”, “Hesitation Blues”, and “Man/Maid of Constant Sorrow”. So, if the series wants to tear a page from the Game of Thrones rule book, they’ll hire some buzzworthy acts to revisit those old-timers for a number of episodes.
The Following Takes Place Between Eight A.M. and Nine A.M. Song of Susannah is the shortest temporal entry in the Dark Tower series, and it’s broken down into 13 stanzas that all lead up to a rather bizarre coda. However, such brevity lends itself to a breezy series of events that take place over a little more than a day. By doing the math, it would be reasonable to suspect that each episode could cover two hours of that day, making the action somewhat real time in nature. That would be key in capturing the book’s frantic pace, but fans should still expect a season of endless cliffhangers. That is, unless Netflix isn’t handling it.
How Do You Handle the Ending? Good question. For those willing to be spoiled, the book ends with a series of excerpts from King’s diary that describe his torturous writing experiences as he conceives the Dark Tower over decades. These entries end with a press clipping from the Portland Sunday Telegram that reports of his death in 1999. Our suggestion? Either turn this into a series of quick montages, all voiced by Hill or King, to end the season. Or, go the route of The Simpsons a la “Who Shot Mr. Burns?” and tease these entries with various clips that pop up on the network prior to the final season?
From Page to Screen: It’ll take a lot of convincing to sell the average viewer on the can-toi, aka the human-taheen hybrids that overcrowd the Dixie Pig upon Susannah/Mia’s birthing. Who knows. Maybe the Jim Henson Company can hop on board and integrate a number of puppets or magical makeup techniques to avoid any laughter, but seeing several humans with animal heads screaming for a baby is something only the imagination can behold. Come to think of it, maybe they should just get David Cronenberg to direct this season? Regardless, there will be a great discussion as to how they bring this to life.
The Bridge: This entry is, in fact, a bridge. It’s like The Empire Strikes Back in that several threads are introduced and evolved, yet nothing, outside of Calvin Tower’s arc, is particularly resolved. That might infuriate a number of casual viewers, but really, anyone hooked will only keep wanting more. Some might even call this the most entertaining season; seriously, the action never stops. There are gunfights, chase scenes, long-winded arguments, and hilarious subversions on the whole possession thing.
17. Everything’s Eventual
Spring 2023 – Anthology Film
Synopsis: The only one of our films based on a proper short-story collection, Everything’s Eventual contains several stories tied directly to the Dark Tower universe, making its inclusion in the series mandatory. These include the title story, which focuses on a powerful Breaker named Dinky Earnshaw and Roland Deschain’s standalone vampire adventure, “The Little Sisters of Eluria”.
Cast of Characters: Roland Deschain (Viggo Mortensen), Sister Jenna (Marion Cotillard), Dinky Earnshaw (Nick Robinson), Mr. Sharpton (Todd Barry), and Bernie (unknown)
The Walk-Ins: Dinky will of course play a significant role in the final Dark Tower novel, along with another Breaker we’ve recently met.
Soundtrack Options: Elfman again, but, unlike Low Men In Yellow Coats, we want the usual, wacky Elfman, who should be able to capture all the horror, humor, and suburban unease of these three very different tales.
But Where Are the Rest? On page, Everything’s Eventual has 14 short stories. That’s quite a lot, plus there have already been solid film adaptations of 1408 and Riding the Bullet. It makes the most sense to only include the ones directly related to The Dark Tower (it’s essential that we meet Dinky before the final film), then pad out the movie with another story tangentially related to the series — “Night Surf,” an early tale from the collection Night Shift that takes place during the Captain Trips epidemic.
How It All Hangs Together: Any true anthology film needs a good framing device, whether it’s the creepy trick-or-treater in Trick ‘r Treat or the old E.C. comic issue in Creepshow. Luckily, the Dark Tower series has plenty of suitable tricks built into its narrative. Seeing as Rhea of the Coos already has the prophetic Wizard’s Glass in her possession, the film would have her viewing three stories — past, present, future, and from other worlds — through the crystal ball.
From Page to Screen: Obviously, we’re omitting the majority of the stories, and taking some artistic liberties with Rhea’s appearance. However, so much free space ensures that the three tales we are including get intensely faithful adaptations.
The Bridge: Now that we’ve met one of the Dark Tower universes’ most important Breakers and spent a little time with Roland, let’s get our first glimpse of the Crimson King before the final film…
18. Insomnia
Mid-Summer 2023 – Film
Synopsis: Old-timer Ralph Roberts can’t sleep. He starts seeing visions, including “little bald doctors” who task him with preventing an act of terrorism. Along the way, he romances an old friend, says goodbye to another, and crosses paths with The Crimson King, who has quite a stake in all this.
Cast of Characters: Ralph Roberts (Christopher Walken), Lois Chasse (Meryl Streep), Ed Deepneau (Jack Huston), Natalie Deepneau (Heather Matarazzo), as well as Atropos, Clotho, and Lachesis (Peter Dinklage, triple-cast)
The Walk-Ins: THE CRIMSON KING! Well, kinda. It’s hard to parse the King’s true form here as he takes on several guises, including that of Ralph’s mother and, terrifyingly, a giant catfish. And as with IT, we’re met with the cosmic presence of Maturin the Turtle, an integral part of The Dark Tower’s survival.
Soundtrack Options: Who better to soundtrack a film about insomnia than ambient pioneers Stars of the Lid, whose translucent symphonies beautifully evoke the hazy state between sleep and consciousness.
But…But…Old People Are Boring! Not here. Ralph is a badass, and his heartwarming romance with fellow old-timer Lois is the kind of thing we so rarely see in mainstream film.
One Small Piece of the Puzzle: The events of Insomnia, epic as they are, circle around a single character, one you don’t truly meet until its final moments. This character, though minor here, will play a major role in the next and final film.
From Page to Screen: Insomnia was written well before some of the latter Dark Tower books, meaning, at the time, King didn’t have a full grasp on the world he was building. Equipped with that knowledge, the minds behind this adaptation of Insomnia can weave the breadth of the Dark Tower mythology into the mouths of Clotho and Lachesis, helping to establish just how important it is for Ralph to prevent this tragedy.
The Bridge: With a major player in The Dark Tower‘s endgame saved, and the Crimson King weakened, the stage is set for Roland and co.’s final approach…
19. The Dark Tower
Fall 2023 // Spring 2024 – HBO – 16-Episode Season
Synopsis: Ka is a wheel, but as our long journey through multiple universes comes to an end, so must the spinning wheel. Roland and his Ka-Tet have somehow survived their treacherous journey along the Beam, but not everyone is destined to make it to The Dark Tower alive. With familiar faces from stories past making acquaintances with the gunslingers and villains both new and old taking final stands of their own, The Dark Tower rewards the viewers as it looks back one more time before marching to its final destination.
Cast of Characters: As previously seen, Roland Deschain (Viggo Mortensen), Eddie Dean (Dane DeHaan), Susannah Dean (Lupita Nyong’o), Jake Chambers (Nolan Lyons), Randall Flagg (Matthew McConaughey), Ted Brautigan (Morgan Freeman), Dinky Earnshaw (Nick Robinson), Sheemie Ruiz (Paul Dano), Stephen King (Joe Hill), and Father Donald Callahan (Keith Carradine); new characters include Dandelo (Crispin Glover), Finli O’Tego (voiced by Paul Sparks), Pimli Prentiss (John C. Reilly), The Crimson King (Bruce Payne), and Irene Tassenbaum (Hope Davis)
The Walk-Ins: Pleasantly surprised to see the return of Low Men’s Ted Brautigan, Everything’s Eventual’s Dinky Earnshaw, and the lovable Sheemie Ruiz from Wizard and Glass: presented here as a trio of Breakers. Also making a Dark Tower debut is Crispin Glover as Dandelo, but is he in fact Pennywise the Clown? That is up to the audience to decide.
Soundtrack Options: There are nearly two dozen song references in The Dark Tower novel, but do they fit in here? There is no “Someone Save My Life Tonight” moment in this story. There isn’t even a rendition of a well-known song coming out of a rundown saloon (“Hey Jude”). The songs aren’t important here, but the score is. T-Bone Burnett (who has been scoring the Dark Tower series, in case you didn’t know) will use his dark country to end this dark tale.
About the Length… The reason for four extra episodes is simple: there’s actually a lot to get to here. The attack at The Dixie Pig. The birth of Mordred. The rescue at Devar-Toi. Hello again, Uncle Stevie. Snow. The prisoner Patrick Danville. The finale. Plenty of stories to spread across a season split in two: 10 in the Fall, 6 in the Spring, with that nice winter break to recover after the death of one of our favorite characters.
About the Can-toi…: We’ve caught glimpses and even enjoyed some scenes with the ol’ Can-toi for years now, but they need to be fully realized in all their glory during the sequence at Devar-Toi. Their rat and weasel faces will come courtesy of motion capture, ala Andy Serkis in everything he does, but there will be a stellar actor in Paul Sparks taking up the main Can-toi Finli (Sparks played the weasel-y Mickey Doyle in another HBO show, Boardwalk Empire).
From Page to Screen: We’re looking at some major changes here. First, Mordred’s presence in the book. He is built up so much dating all the way back to Wolves of the Calla, and his final battle near the book’s conclusion has always seemed anti-climactic. Make his final attack take place in the rose-covered field in front of The Dark Tower itself, where he will be joined by another foe … Randall Flagg. In the novel, Flagg’s tale also seems a bit underserved, and an actor of McConaughey’s stature would naturally be given more screen time. For this adaptation, we’ll see him pop up throughout, even sharing a dream with Roland in the penultimate episode as they have one last palaver. The final sequence of the series is yet another homage to the Leone spaghetti westerns as we have The Good (Roland), The Bad (Flagg), and The Ugly (Mordred). As for The Crimson King, he’s much more reserved (No “EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEs”) and the perennially underused Bruce Payne will play the role with an appropriate sneer.
The Bridge Has Reached Its End: The ending of The Dark Tower is a polarizing one, but the show will not share a similar fate. There is a much more definitive ending in this series finale, in which we discover that Roland has had Cuthbert’s horn with him this entire time. With this knowledge, readers of the series shouldn’t be too bothered by a different ending if they think of the live-action Dark Tower as a continuation from the Dark Tower novels, rather than a straight adaptation. Too much more would be telling. To find out more, make sure to watch this show.
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Originally Posted by Iwritecode
