The Dark Tower is no direct adaptation – It’s a sequel

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

There have been rumblings for a bit that Nikolaj Arcel's THE DARK TOWER might follow a slightly different path than Stephen King's series has taken over the years. Characters are showing up in places they weren't before. The chronological order is all out of whack, and, while there has been concern from fans over what that does to the beloved work they've been waiting to see adapted, it would appear we're finally getting answers as to what it all means. 

THE DARK TOWER is not going to be a direct adaptation of Stephen King's series. 

It's going to be a sequel of sorts. 

Here's what Arcel had to say in EW's new cover story on the film…

“The hardcore fans of The Dark Tower series will know that this is actually a sequel to the books in a way. It has a lot of the same elements, a lot of the same characters, but it is a different journey.”

Now, if you don't want to be spoiled as to how that's going to happen, then avert your eyes, click away, something… But, if you do, probably because you've been invested in THE DARK TOWER for awhile, then you may already know the answer. 

SPOILER TIME

Roland will possess the Horn of Eld from the very beginning of Arcel's film. This isn't going to be the same artifact that he doesn't take with him on his past trips to the Tower. This is going to be something he has for his journey, and it will change the entire layout of the film. 

Familiar elements, as Arcel explains, will be introduced throughout, but they'll be different in a number of ways. They will no longer be forced to comply with how Stephen King's THE DARK TOWER is laid out, as they'll now be afforded the freedom to create something new.

That may not be THE DARK TOWER that you were expecting, but it does open up a number of creative avenues for Arcel to take… and it takes the audience, even those who are knee-deep in DARK TOWER knowledge, along for the ride of a new experience. Those viewers will be just as in the dark as everyone else.

It's a bold approach and certainly a different, so what do you think? A fan of using the familiar to start something new, or just wanted the same ol' DARK TOWER finally in movie form?