Stephen King’s ‘The Dark Tower’ Finds New Life on Netflix

Key Takeaways:

• Stephen King’s famously disliked big-screen adaptation “The Dark Tower” will arrive on Netflix on Dec. 1.
• Despite a $66 million production cost, the film earned just $113 million at the box office.
• Creator Mike Flanagan is currently developing an Amazon TV series adaptation of “The Dark Tower”.

When talking about Stephen King adaptations, some really hit the mark, while others kind of missed it. Remember the 2017 movie, “The Dark Tower”? Fans waited for it for so long, but when it finally came, it was disappointing. Panned by critics and fans alike, the film series seemed doomed before it even started. Since its release, the film has hopped from streaming service to streaming service. But now, this notorious film has found a new home and it’s on Netflix. Starting next month, you can follow Roland, Jake, and the Man in Black’s journey from New York to Mid-World.

A Well-Intended Misfire

“The Dark Tower” was directed by Nikolaj Arcel and starred big names like Idris Elba, Tom Taylor, and Matthew McConaughey. Despite its strong cast, the movie made only $113 million, quite underwhelming, considering it cost $66 million to make. Fans, who had long anticipated a faithful adaptation of the beloved King novels, were left feeling let down.

However, the movie’s failure was not due to a lack of effort. It tried hard. It borrowed elements from the first and third books and simultaneously attempted to be a sequel to the novels. “The Dark Tower” endeavored to accomplish too much, so it ended up with a storyline too messy and disjointed that even die-hard King fans had a hard time following.

According to Ron Howard, a producer of the film, deviating from the source material’s horror aspects was a significant factor in its downfall. He admitted in a 2019 podcast interview that they did not fully tap into the horror vibe of King’s books.

A Bright Future for The Dark Tower

If you’re a fan of “The Dark Tower”, don’t be disheartened. It seems that the future of King’s fantasy series is in good hands with Mike Flanagan, who is developing it into a TV series for Amazon. Known for successfully recreating King’s “Gerald’s Game” and “Doctor Sleep”, Flanagan’s take on “The Dark Tower” is highly anticipated.

Flanagan’s other projects, such as the upcoming “The Exorcist”, have caused some fans to worry that “The Dark Tower” might get sidelined. But Flanagan assures fans that he has the capacity to work on multiple things at once. According to him, there will come a point where “The Dark Tower” will take precedence over everything else.

A Forgotten Film Opts for Revival

Does the film’s bad rap make you curious about it? Now Netflix makes it possible for you to decide for yourself. Starting Dec. 1, “The Dark Tower” will be available for streaming. Despite its shortcomings on the big screen, it’s still based on a bestselling book series by one of the most famous horror authors. Who knows, you might see something in it that’s been overlooked! So, mark your calendar and prepare yourself for a cinematic journey from New York to Mid-World.

To sum up, “The Dark Tower’s” trip to the silver screen might be bumpy, but Netflix gives it a second chance. And who knows, with Flanagan working on a new adaptation, old fans and new may see “The Dark Tower” in a much brighter light soon! So, hold on to your seats because the journey isn’t over!