Stephen King Is NOT Joining Mike Flanagan's Dark Tower Adaptation, Despite His Earlier Comments
The author's comments were a source of confusion among fans.
Director Mike Flanagan and his Intrepid Pictures partner Trevor Macy acquired the rights to Stephen King 's book series The Dark Tower several years ago and are now producing their most ambitious project to date under the wing of Amazon Studios.
Production on Mike Flanagan's Adaptation of The Dark Tower Is Well Underway
The first season of the future series already has a detailed plan. Over time, Flanagan also wants to bring in other writers he has worked with to help develop the universe.
In addition, Flanagan wrote out the plan for the series even before he acquired the rights to the adaptation. The director wanted to take on the project so badly that he sent his ideas to King. In response, the writer signed away the rights to the adaptation and has supported the series in every way possible.
King First Confirmed & Then Denied That He Was Involved in Writing the Show
Recently, at the IGN Fan Fest 2025, when asked if King himself would be involved in writing Flanagan's The Dark Tower, the author responded as follows:
“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.”
The comment delighted fans and was taken as confirmation that King would be actively involved in the show's writing.
A short time later, however, the author himself denied that he was involved in the production. On his bsky account, King wrote:
“Contrary to the Internet (which usually is never wrong), I am NOT writing for Mike Flanagan's DARK TOWER.”
Although this statement upset the author's fans, many noted that if anyone could bring The Dark Tower to the screen, it would be Mike Flanagan.
If Anyone Can Make a Worthy Adaptation of The Dark Tower, It's Flanagan
The Dark Tower has been called one of the most difficult literary works to adapt for the screen, but the director has some experience. He has two adaptations of King's works under his belt: Gerald's Game and Doctor Sleep.
King fans said much the same thing about both books: making them into movies is an almost impossible task. But Flanagan did it, and judging by the ratings and reviews, quite successfully.