Another Attempt at The Dark Tower TV Series

Almost two years ago Amazon passed on a possible TV adaptation of The Dark Tower. Now it seems they will have another shot at the apple. Amazon recently sign Intrepid Pictures to a production deal, stealing creative duo Mike Flanagan and Trevor Macy from Netflix The pair were behind The Haunting, Midnight Mass, and The Midnight Club. A move that angered Netflix so they immediately cancelled The Midnight Club. The pair also worked on Doctor Sleep and Gerald's Game adaptations. 

Flanagan has written a pilot episode and a five season outline for the show. This does not mean the show will be on Amazon. The franchise has a contract exception but likely they will give Amazon first dibs to show interest. Considering previous plans for a TV and movies around this franchise has repeatedly fizzled, do not get your hopes up anytime soon. Full interview about this is at Deadline but above is the key highlights.

Amazon Passes On The Dark Tower TV Series

It has been nearly a year since heard any news on the TV/movie front for The Dark Tower. Sadly when finally do, it is not good but instead likely the final nail in the live action adaptation coffin. Amazon has officially passed on The Dark Tower pilot. Executive producer Glen Mazzara is still shopping the show around with 2 possible scripts. The show will not be that cheap to produce so its really only Amazon or Netflix. Amazon just passed, Netflix is going to refuse any Amazon cast offs. None of the second or third tier cable channels can afford it. As for other streaming services, Hulu, HBO Go, Peacock, CBS All Access, etc are all out for similar reasons - if they don't own the intellectual property (IP) they are not inclined to move forward with it. Between the failed 2017 film and this bit if news, it is safe to assume that the adaptation of The Dark Tower series is dead for the foreseeable future.

The Dark Tower Series Cast Young Roland, Man in Black

Been a minute since had any news on The Dark Tower front. It seems the pace of the TV show is starting to slowly speed up as Amazon has announced they have cast two of the leads for the show. Jasper Pääkkönen (Vikings, BlacKkKlansman) has probably been cast as Marten, aka Walter O'Dim aka Randall Flagg aka the Man in Black that was played by Matthew McConaughey in the movie. Sam Strike (Nightflyers) has been cast as young Roland Deschain. The TV series is a "prequel" of sorts that will explore the character of Roland as a teenager and the events that led to the downfall of his home and his rise as "The Gunslinger." A lot of it was explored in the Marvel comic books and of course the Dark Tower books but the series isn't bound by those. Since they cast Roland is a white dude, its pretty clear the movie starring Idris Elba and McConaughey is being completely ignored.

The Dark Tower TV Series Gets TWD Showrunner

One time The Walking Dead show runner Glen Mazzara has been hired to as show runner of The Dark Tower TV series. The series is expected to focus on the back story of Roland Deschain which was covered in the Wizard and Glass novel along with most of Marvel's comics around the series. Idris Elba is signed on for the series but I doubt in a major role but probably more to introduce the series since most of the story is Deschain as a teenager. The hiring seems to be a show of confidence from Sony in light of the overwhelmingly bad reviews for the movie which best be summed up as overly simplified and bland.

The Dark Tower Easter Egg TV Spot

Below is a new TV spot for The Dark Tower that continues to show nothing about the movie but indicates it will be filled with easter eggs from other Stephen King books and movies. So far the campaign for the movie is pretty bad, basically going "did you like all that other Stephen King stuff? If you do then you might like this movie! Look the hero does bad ass things with an old fashioned gun!" Hopefully they will up their game this week.