It is common knowledge now that ‘The Dark Tower‘ will actually be a sequel to Stephen King‘s novels and not a direct adaptation but that doesn’t mean major key points of the books won’t be showing up. As this will follow Roland making a new journey to the Tower in order to save it, the studio will be taking some of the key moments from various novels to include into the film. How this will play out to potentially give us multiple movies is still very much a mystery.
Thanks to Entertainment Weekly, we have a breakdown of how the various ways the film will reference the novels:
The Gunslinger (1982)
The first novel will serve as the basis of the film where we see Roland chasing the Man in Black. It will also introduce us to Jake who the Man in Black wants and Roland becomes friends with.
The Drawing of the Three (1987)
The main draw from this book is the introduction of Eddie and Susannah who will be absent from the first film. However, the idea of parallel realities and “ka-tet”, r a family found through destiny, will likely make their way into this one.
The Waste Lands (1991)
The third book will have Dutch Hill make an appearance. This location is a Brooklyn mansion which has seen better days and comes alive to protect a portal into Mid-World. This will include Jake’s life in New York and his mother who is afraid that Jake’s visions are signs that he is having a mental breakdown.
Wizard and Glass (1997)
As most of this novel is a flashback to Roland’s past there won’t be much used here as that was one of the potential ideas for a tie-in television series. What might make the cut though is the introduction of glass orbs which the Man in Black can use to watch Roland’s progress.
The Wind Through The Keyhole (2012)
The most recent installment to be released actually takes part in the center of the quest and the only piece being taken from here is that “the idea that fantasy has power to bend reality.”
Wolves of the Calla (2003)
The movie will be including the Manni village from the book who know how to travel between worlds and end up aiding Roland. This will also include more sci-fi than magic aspects to King’s world.
Song of Susannah (2004)
We’ll be paying a visit to the Dixie Pig here which is a New York location where followers of The Crimson King and other unsavory characters dwell. The cinematic version looks to differ greatly from the one found in the novels.
The Dark Tower (2004)
While most of this novel would end up in later films as it is the conclusion, it is where The Sombra Group was introduced and is a business that will show up in the film as well. It is a business in our world where followers of The Crimson King are using to make money and influence for the eventual arrival of their dark lord.
While they are borrowing bits and pieces from the various novels, none of it sounds like it could actually be an issue for spoiling future movies. Most of the scenes and places being mentioned could appear in multiple areas of the story so it sounds like they are just finding bits to more cohesively tell the follow-up to King’s epic tale.
Are you looking forward to the release of ‘The Dark Tower’? Are they using any scenes that you feel should have been held off until a future film? Share your thoughts below!
‘The Dark Tower’ is set to open its doors in theaters everywhere on February 17th, 2017.
Stuart Conover is an author, blogger, and all around geek. When not busy being a father and husband he tries to spend as much time as possible immersed in comic books, science fiction, and horror! Would you like to know more? Follow him on Twitter!
