The Dark Tower (series)

{{short description|Series by Stephen King}} {{Other uses|The Dark Tower (disambiguation)}} {{italic title}} {{Infobox book series | name = The Dark Tower | books = {{plainlist| * ''[[The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger|The Gunslinger]]'' (1982) * ''[[The Dark Tower II: The Drawing of the Three|The Drawing of the Three]]'' (1987) * ''[[The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands|The Waste Lands]]'' (1991) * ''[[The Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass|Wizard and Glass]]'' (1997) * ''[[The Little Sisters of Eluria]]'' (1998) * ''[[The Dark Tower V: Wolves of the Calla|Wolves of the Calla]]'' (2003) * ''[[The Dark Tower VI: Song of Susannah|Song of Susannah]]'' (2004) * ''[[The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower|The Dark Tower]]'' (2004) * ''[[The Dark Tower: The Wind Through the Keyhole|The Wind Through the Keyhole]]'' (2012)}} | author = [[Stephen King]] | image = Thedarktower7.jpg | caption = "The Dark Tower" painting by [[Michael Whelan]] | title_orig = | translator = | illustrator = [[Michael Whelan]], [[Phil Hale]], [[Ned Dameron]], [[Dave McKean]], [[Jae Lee]], [[Bernie Wrightson]], Darrel Anderson | cover_artist = | country = United States | language = English | genre = [[Dark fantasy]], [[science fiction]], [[horror fiction|horror]], [[western fiction|Western]] | publisher = | pub_date = | english_pub_date = | media_type = | number_of_books = | preceded_by = }}

'''''The Dark Tower''''' is a series of eight novels, one novella, and a children's book written by American author [[Stephen King]]. Incorporating themes from multiple genres, including [[dark fantasy]], [[science fantasy]], [[horror fiction|horror]], and [[Western fiction|Western]], it describes a "gunslinger" and his quest toward a tower, the nature of which is both physical and metaphorical. The series, and its use of the Dark Tower, expands upon Stephen King's multiverse and in doing so, links together many of his other novels.

In addition to the eight novels of the series proper that comprise 4,250 pages, many of King's other books relate to the story, introducing concepts and characters that come into play as the series progresses.

The series was chiefly inspired by the [[poem]] "[[Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came]]" by [[Robert Browning]], the full text of which was included in the final volume's appendix. In the preface to the revised 2003 edition of ''[[The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger|The Gunslinger]]'', King also identifies ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Matter of Britain|Arthurian legend]], and ''[[The Good, the Bad and the Ugly]]'' as inspirations. He identifies [[Clint Eastwood|Clint Eastwood's]] "[[Man with No Name]]" character as one of the major inspirations for the protagonist, [[Roland Deschain]]. King's style of location names in the series, such as Mid-World, and his [[constructed language|development of a unique language]] (High Speech), are also influenced by [[J. R. R. Tolkien]]'s work.

A [[The Dark Tower (2017 film)|film]] based on [[Stephen King]]'s novel series was released in August 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2012/08/did-warner-bros-just-bypass-gold-on-the-ground-by-dropping-the-dark-tower-321889/|title='Ted' Backer MRC In Talks To Finance Stephen King's 'The Dark Tower'|author=Mike Fleming Jr|work=Deadline|date=21 August 2012}}</ref>

==Overview==

===Plot summary=== In the story, [[Roland Deschain]] is a member of a [[knight]]ly order known as ''gunslingers'' and the last of the line of "Arthur Eld", his world's [[Analogue (literature)|analogue]] of [[King Arthur]]. Politically organized along the lines of a [[feudalism|feudal]] society, it shares technological and social characteristics with the [[American Old West]] but is also [[magic (paranormal)|magical]]. Many of the magical aspects have vanished from Mid-World but traces remain, as do relics from a technologically advanced society. Roland's quest is to find the Dark Tower, a fabled building said to be the nexus of all universes. Roland's world is said to have "moved on", and it appears to be coming apart at the seams. Mighty nations have been torn apart by war, entire cities and regions vanish without a trace and time does not flow in an orderly fashion. Sometimes, even the sun rises in the north and sets in the east. As the series opens, Roland's motives, goals, and age are unclear, although later installments shed light on these mysteries.

For a detailed synopsis of the novels, see the relevant article for [[#Main_series|each book]].

====Connections to King's other works==== The series has become a linchpin that is interwoven with, and ties together, much of King's [[Stephen King bibliography|body of work]]. The worlds of ''The Dark Tower'' are in part composed of locations, characters, events and other various elements from many of King's novels and short stories. Some of the principal books that are tied to this series, or that this series references, include ''[[It (novel)|It]]'', ''[[The Stand]]'', ''[['Salem's Lot]]'', ''[[Insomnia (novel)|Insomnia]]'', ''[[Hearts in Atlantis]]'', ''[[Black House (novel)|Black House]]'', ''[[The Eyes of the Dragon]]'', ''[[The Shining (novel)|The Shining]]'', and ''[[Cell (novel)|Cell]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/sci-fi-fantasy/10-essential-stephen-king-books-dark-tower/|title=OTHER WORLDS THAN THESE: 10 Essential Stephen King Books to Complete Your Quest for The Dark Tower|last=van Iten|first=Ben|publisher=Barnes and Noble|date=27 July 2017|access-date=13 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stephenking.com/darktower/connections/|title=The Dark Tower Connects Worlds|publisher=Stephenking.com|date=n.d.|access-date=13 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/172878-19-books-with-dark-tower-connections-you-didnt-know-about|title=19 Books With Dark Tower Connections You Didn't Know About|last=Wilson|first=Kristian|publisher=bustle.com|date=21 July 2016|access-date=13 June 2019}}</ref> The TV miniseries ''[[Kingdom Hospital]]'' takes place in a world in which Nozz-A-La is the most popular beverage in the world, possibly meaning those events take place in the same universe as books 4 and 5 are set.

===Characters=== {{Main|List of The Dark Tower characters}} Along his journey to the Dark Tower, Roland meets a great number of friends and enemies. For most of the way, he is accompanied by a group of people who, together with him, form the [[List of characters from the Dark Tower series#Ka-tet of the Nineteen and Ninety-nine|Ka-tet of the Nineteen and Ninety-nine]], consisting of [[Jake Chambers]], [[Eddie Dean (The Dark Tower)|Eddie Dean]], [[Susannah Dean]], and [[Oy (Dark Tower)|Oy]]. Among his many enemies on the way are [[Randall Flagg|The Man in Black]], Mordred, and [[The Crimson King]].

===Language=== King created a language for his characters, known as the High Speech. Examples of this language include the phrases ''Thankee, Sai'' ("Thank you, Sir/Ma'am.") and ''Dan-Tete'' ("Little Savior"). In addition, King uses the term ''Ka'', which is the approximate equivalent of destiny, or fate, in the fictional language High Speech (and similarly, ''Ka-tet,'' a group of people bound together by fate/destiny). This term originated in Egyptian mythology and storytelling, and has figured in several other novels and screenplays since 1976. The term also appears in King's short story "[[Hearts in Atlantis#"Low Men in Yellow Coats"|Low Men in Yellow Coats]]", in which Ted describes its meaning to Bobby.

==Main series== {| class="wikitable sortable" ! # !! Title !! Subtitle(s) !! Pages !! Words<ref>{{cite web|title=AR BookFinder US|url=http://www.arbookfind.com/default.aspx|publisher=Renaissance Learning, Inc.|access-date=27 November 2016}}</ref>!! Release !! Awards |- | 0.5 || ''[[The Little Sisters of Eluria]]''|| || 66 || 23,434 || 1998 || |- | 1 || ''[[The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger]]'' || Resumption || 224 || 55,376 || 1982 || |- | 2 || ''[[The Dark Tower II: The Drawing of the Three]]'' || Renewal || 400 || 125,948 || 1987 || |- | 3 || ''[[The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands]]'' || Redemption || 512 || 173,489 || 1991 || |- | 4 || ''[[The Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass]]'' || Regard || 787 || 254,691 || 1997 || 1998 Locus Award nominee<ref name="WWE-1998">{{cite web | url = http://www.worldswithoutend.com/books_year_index.asp?year=1998| title = 1998 Award Winners & Nominees | work = Worlds Without End| access-date=2009-07-22}}</ref> |- | 4.5 || ''[[The Dark Tower: The Wind Through the Keyhole]]'' || || 336 || 91,857 || 2012 || |- | 5 || ''[[The Dark Tower V: Wolves of the Calla]]'' || Resistance || 714 || 242,776 || 2003 || 2004 Locus Award nominee<ref name="WWE-2004">{{cite web | url = http://www.worldswithoutend.com/books_year_index.asp?year=2004| title = 2004 Award Winners & Nominees | work = Worlds Without End| access-date=2009-07-22}}</ref> |- | 6 || ''[[The Dark Tower VI: Song of Susannah]]'' || Reproduction || 432 || 118,221 || 2004 || 2005 Locus Award nominee<ref name="WWE-2005">{{cite web | url = http://www.worldswithoutend.com/books_year_index.asp?year=2005| title = 2005 Award Winners & Nominees | work = Worlds Without End| access-date=2009-07-22}}</ref> |- | 7 || ''[[The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower]]'' || Revelation, Reproduction, Redemption, and Resumption || 845 || 272,273 || 2004 || 2005 British Fantasy Award winner<ref name="WWE-2005"/> |-

! !! Total !! !! 4,316 !! 1,358,065 !! !! |}

===Continuation=== While the series was declared finished with the publication of the seventh volume in 2004, [[Stephen King]] described in an interview in March 2009 an idea for a new short story he'd recently had: "And then I thought, 'Well, why don't I find three more like this and do a book that would be almost like modern fairy tales?' Then this thing started to add on bits and pieces so I guess it will be a novel." According to King, the idea was a new ''Dark Tower'' novel.

King said, regarding ''The Dark Tower'', "It's not really done yet. Those seven books are really sections of one long über-novel."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.usaweekend.com/whos_news/2009/03/stephen-king-no.html |title=USA WEEKEND Magazine, part of USA Today Your Life |publisher=Blogs.usaweekend.com |access-date=2012-01-09}}</ref> King confirmed this during his TimesTalk event at [[The New York Times Building#Tenants|The Times Center]] in New York City on November 10, 2009, and the next day King's official site posted that King would begin working on this novel in about eight months, with a tentative title being ''The Wind Through the Keyhole''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stephenking.com/news.html |title=Recent News |publisher=StephenKing.com |access-date=2012-01-09 |archive-date=2017-11-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171104183239/http://stephenking.com/news.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> King noted that this novel would likely be set between the fourth and the fifth books of the series. The book, titled ''[[The Dark Tower: The Wind Through the Keyhole]]'', was announced on Stephen King's official site on March 10, 2011, and was published on April 24, 2012.<ref>{{Cite book |last=King |first=Stephen |title=The Wind Through the Keyhole: A Dark Tower Novel |publisher=Scribner |location=New York |year=2012 |isbn=978-1-4516-5890-3 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/windthroughkeyho00king }}</ref>

===Illustrations=== Each book in the series was originally published in [[hardcover]] format with a number of full-color illustrations spread throughout. Each book contained works by a single illustrator only. Subsequent printings of each book in [[Trade paperback (comics)|trade paperback]] format usually preserve the illustrations in full, except for books I and IV. Pocket-sized [[paperback]] reprints contain only black-and-white chapter or section header illustrations.

The illustrators who worked on each book are: {| class="wikitable sortable" ! # !! Illustrator !! Title !! Comments |- | 0.5 || Erik Wilson || "[[The Little Sisters of Eluria]]" || Wilson created the cover art for the short story when originally published in the anthology ''[[Legends (anthology)|Legends]]''. |- | 1 || [[Michael Whelan]] || ''[[The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger]]'' || ''The Dark Tower'' is among his early notable works. |- | 2 || [[Phil Hale]] || ''[[The Dark Tower II: The Drawing of the Three]]'' || The only ''Dark Tower'' illustrator who created a second set of illustrations for a later printing of the book he illustrated. |- | 3 || [[Ned Dameron]] || ''[[The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands]]'' || Also illustrated the children's book ''[[Charlie the Choo-Choo (book)|Charlie the Choo-Choo]]'', published 25 years after its original manifestation in ''The Waste Lands''. |- | 4 || [[Dave McKean]] || ''[[The Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass]]'' || The only ''Dark Tower'' illustrator to work in [[Photomontage|photocollages]]. |- | 4.5 || [[Jae Lee]] || ''[[The Dark Tower: The Wind Through the Keyhole]]'' || Also collaborated on the art for four story arcs of ''[[The Dark Tower (comics)|The Dark Tower]]'', the comic book series published by [[Marvel Comics]]. |- | 5 || [[Bernie Wrightson]] || ''[[The Dark Tower V: Wolves of the Calla]]'' || Illustrator for 1960s and 1970s horror comics; he also provided the illustrations for King's novella ''[[Cycle of the Werewolf]]''. |- | 6 || [[Darrel Anderson]] || ''[[The Dark Tower VI: Song of Susannah]]'' || The only ''Dark Tower'' illustrator who used [[digital illustration]] techniques. |- | 7 || [[Michael Whelan]] || ''[[The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower]]'' || Returning more than 20 years later as the only recurring ''Dark Tower'' illustrator. |- |}

==Reception== Bill Sheehan of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' called the series "a humane, visionary epic and a true magnum opus" that stands as an "imposing example of pure storytelling," "filled with brilliantly rendered set pieces... cataclysmic encounters and moments of desolating tragedy."<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A27485-2004Sep16 | title = The Return of the King | newspaper = Washington Post | date = 2007-09-19 | access-date = 2007-08-16 | first=Bill | last=Sheehan}}</ref> Erica Noonan of the ''[[Boston Globe]]'' said, "There's a fascinating world to be discovered in the series" but noted that its epic nature keeps it from being [[user-friendly]].<ref>{{cite news | url = http://archive.boston.com/ae/books/articles/2004/01/15/calla_worth_the_read_but_caters_to_tower_fans/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040526020759/http://www.boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2004/01/15/calla_worth_the_read_but_caters_to_tower_fans/ | url-status = live | archive-date = May 26, 2004 | title = 'Calla' worth the read, but caters to 'Tower' fans | newspaper = The Boston Globe | date = 2004-01-15 | access-date = 2007-08-16 | first=Erica | last=Noonan}}</ref> Allen Johnston of ''[[The New York Times]]'' was disappointed with how the series progressed; while he marveled at the "sheer absurdity of [the books'] existence" and complimented King's writing style, he said preparation would have improved the series, stating "King doesn't have the writerly finesse for these sorts of games, and the voices let him down."<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/17/books/review/17AGGERL.html?ex=1255665600&en=c3b0bc5048e91c68&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland | title = Pulp Metafiction | newspaper = New York Times | date = 2004-10-17 | access-date = 2007-08-16 | first=Michael | last=Agger}}</ref> Michael Berry of the ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'', however, called the series' early installments "highfalutin hodgepodge" but the ending "a valediction" that "more than delivers on what has been promised."<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/09/26/RVGR98QA141.DTL | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20041010184820/http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/09/26/RVGR98QA141.DTL | url-status = dead | archive-date = October 10, 2004 | title = Waiting for the end of their worlds | newspaper = The San Francisco Chronicle | date = 2004-09-26 | access-date = 2007-08-16 | first=Michael | last=Berry}}</ref> Joshua Rothman of ''[[The New Yorker]]'' praised the series, feeling that "the novels were better and weirder than [he'd] hoped." Because it features several of his classic tropes, Rothman claimed, "If you really like Stephen King, you owe it to yourself to give the series a shot."<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Rothman |first1=Joshua |title=What We're Reading This Week: A novel about sex and power in the workplace, a history of cold blood, and revisiting Stephen King's "Dark Tower" series. |url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/likes/what-were-reading-this-week-career-women-life-on-ice-dark-tower |magazine=The New Yorker |access-date=19 June 2019 |date=13 December 2017}}</ref>

== Other media ==

===Tie-in books=== [[File:Insomniaking2.jpg|thumb|upright|King's 1994 novel ''[[Insomnia (novel)|Insomnia]]'' has strong connections to ''The Dark Tower''.]] The series has prompted related non-fiction books by authors besides King. [[Robin Furth]] has published the two-volume ''Stephen King's The Dark Tower: A Concordance'', an encyclopedia-style companion to the series that she originally wrote for King's personal use. [[Bev Vincent]] has published ''The Road to The Dark Tower: Exploring Stephen King's Magnum Opus'', a book containing back story, summary and analysis and ''The Dark Tower Companion'', which includes interviews and coverage of the Marvel graphic novels. Stephen King has endorsed these books.

''[[Charlie the Choo-Choo (book)|Charlie the Choo-Choo]]'' is a "children's book" by Stephen King released in 2016, published under the pseudonym Beryl Evans. It is adapted from a section of King's previous novel ''The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands''. It was illustrated by Ned Dameron.

=== Comics === {{Main|The Dark Tower (comics)}} {{unreferenced section|date=July 2012}} Several ''Dark Tower'' series arcs were published by [[Marvel Comics]].

A [[prequel]], ''[[The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born]]'' is plotted by Robin Furth, scripted by [[Peter David]], and illustrated by [[Jae Lee]] and [[Richard Isanove]], and is set around the time of the flashbacks in ''The Gunslinger'' and ''Wizard and Glass''. The first issue of this first arc was released on February 7, 2007. A hardcover volume containing all seven issues was released on November 7, 2007.

The second arc in the series, ''[[The Dark Tower: The Long Road Home|The Long Road Home]]'', began publication on March 5, 2008. A hardcover volume containing all five issues was released on October 15, 2008.

The third arc, ''[[The Dark Tower: Treachery]]'', began publication on September 10, 2008. A hardcover volume containing all 6 issues was released on April 21, 2009.

Following the completion of the third arc a [[One-shot (comics)|one-shot]] issue titled ''[[The Dark Tower: Sorcerer]]'' was released April 8, 2009. The story focuses on the history of the villainous wizard [[Randall Flagg|Marten Broadcloak]].

The fourth arc, ''[[The Dark Tower: Fall of Gilead]]'', began publication on May 13, 2009. A hardcover volume containing all 6 issues, as well as the Sorcerer One-Shot was released on February 2, 2010.

The fifth arc, ''[[The Dark Tower: Battle of Jericho Hill]]'', began publication on December 3, 2009. A hardcover volume containing all 5 issues was released on August 17, 2010.

Marvel Comics has also published three supplemental books to date that expand upon characters and locations first introduced in the novels. ''The Dark Tower: Gunslingers' Guidebook'' was released in 2007, ''The Dark Tower: End-World Almanac'' was released in 2008, and ''The Dark Tower: Guide to Gilead'' was released in 2009. All three books were written by [[Anthony Flamini]], with Furth serving as creative consultant. ''End-World Almanac'' and ''Guide to Gilead'' feature illustrations by David Yardin.

A five-issue adaptation of King's novel ''[[The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger]]'', titled ''[[The Dark Tower: The Journey Begins|The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger - The Journey Begins]]'', began publication on May 19, 2010. The collected hardback edition was released on January 26, 2011.

An adaptation of King's novella "[[The Little Sisters of Eluria]]", titled ''The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger - The Little Sisters of Eluria'', began publication on December 8, 2010. The collected hardback edition was released on June 8, 2011.

A second adaptation of King's novel ''The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger'', titled ''The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger - The Battle of Tull'', began publication on June 1, 2011. The collected hardback edition was released on January 25, 2012.

A third adaptation of King's novel ''The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger'', titled ''The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger - The Way Station'', began publication on December 14, 2011. The collected hardback edition was released on June 27, 2012.

=== Games === December 7, 2009 saw the release of a [[Spin-off (media)|spin-off]] online [[game]] titled ''Discordia'',<ref name="Stephenking.com/discordia">{{cite web|url=http://www.stephenking.com/darktower/discordia.html |title=Stephenking.com/discordia |publisher=Stephenking.com |access-date=2012-01-09}}</ref> available to play free of charge on the official Stephen King website. The game is a continuation of the original ''Dark Tower'' story, following the war between the Tet Corporation and Sombra/NCP in New York, and it has been supervised by both Stephen King and [[Robin Furth]]. From the website: "Exploring the behind-the-scenes conflict between the two companies, ''Discordia'' introduces long-time ''Dark Tower'' fans to new characters and numerous mechanical/magical items developed by Mid-World's Old Ones. Over the course of our adventure we will visit many locations, both those familiar to ''Dark Tower'' fans and others which we only glimpsed in the ''Dark Tower'' novels. While we may not see Roland and his ka-tet in this adventure, the development team has remembered the faces of its fathers. We have done our best to honor the original ''Dark Tower'' series while simultaneously mapping new and exciting ''Dark Tower'' territory."

=== Film === {{Main|The Dark Tower (2017 film)}} [[Sony Pictures]] and [[Media Rights Capital]] adapted the series for film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/04/dark-tower-movie-tv-series-stephen-king-sony-mrc-1201407880/|title='Dark Tower' Movie: Sony & MRC Partner For Stephen King Adaptation - Deadline|author=Mike Fleming Jr|work=Deadline|date=10 April 2015}}</ref> The film is directed by Nikolaj Arcel,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2015/06/02/nikolaj-arcel-director-dark-tower|title=Nikolaj Arcel being considered to direct Dark Tower adaptation|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|last=Dornbush|first=Jonathon|date=June 2, 2015}}</ref> and stars [[Idris Elba]] and [[Matthew McConaughey]], cast respectively as Roland Deschain and Walter O'Dim.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2016/02/29/dark-tower-rises-stephen-king-idris-elba-and-matthew-mcconaughey|title=The Dark Tower rises: Stephen King confirms stars Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey as production nears start|last=Breznican|first=Anthony|date=March 1, 2016|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=March 1, 2016}}</ref> The film was released on August 4, 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movie/the-dark-tower-2017#/slide/1|title=The Dark Tower - ComingSoon.net|website=ComingSoon.net|language=en-US|access-date=2017-08-04|archive-date=2020-09-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929070843/https://www.comingsoon.net/movie/the-dark-tower-2017#/slide/1|url-status=dead}}</ref> Critics panned the film with it receiving a score of 16% on Rotten Tomatoes.<ref>{{Citation|title=The Dark Tower|date=4 August 2017 |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_dark_tower_2017|language=en|access-date=2017-08-04}}</ref> The film combines elements from several novels in ''The Dark Tower'' series, serving as a [[Canon (fiction)|canonical]] sequel to the novel series. Stephen King has indicated that ''The Dark Tower'' film and television series will follow Roland's "last time round" to the titular Dark Tower.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/culture/the-dark-tower-stephen-king-easter-eggs-and-reference-guide/|title=The Dark Tower: Stephen King Easter Eggs and Reference Guide|website=[[Den of Geek]]|last=Saavedra|first=John|date=August 7, 2017|access-date=August 9, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2017/06/yes-the-dark-tower-movie-is-a-sequel-to-the-books/|title=Yes, The Dark Tower Movie Is A Sequel To The Books|website=[[Gizmodo]]|last=Lussier|first=Germain|date=June 20, 2017|access-date=August 9, 2017}}</ref><ref name="collider.com">{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/the-dark-tower-sequel/|title='The Dark Tower' Movie Is Actually a Sequel|website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |date=July 14, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160715155902/http://collider.com/the-dark-tower-sequel/|archive-date=July 15, 2016}}</ref> In July 2016, director [[Nikolaj Arcel]] confirmed that ''The Dark Tower'' film would be a sequel to the novels as well as a direct adaptation, with Roland in the next cycle of his journey to the Tower.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2016/07/140/dark-tower-movie-wont-feature-eddie-susannah|title=The Dark Tower: What the film changes (and keeps) from Stephen King's books|last=Breznican|first=Anthony|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=July 14, 2016|access-date=August 8, 2016}}{{Dead link|date=February 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

In a 2017 interview with [[Collider (website)|Collider]], Stephen King expressed hope for a sequel film in addition to the upcoming television series, suggesting that it should be [[Motion Picture Association of America film rating system#Ratings|R-rated]], with Roland wearing a hat, and that it would include the "lobstrosities" from ''[[The Dark Tower II: The Drawing of the Three|The Drawing of the Three]]''.<ref>Foutch, Haleigh (2017-08-17). [https://collider.com/stephen-king-interview-the-dark-tower/ "Stephen King Talks 'The Dark Tower,' Casting Controversy, and Getting Blocked by Trump on Twitter."] ''Collider.com''. Retrieved 2019-01-30.</ref> In an interview with [[ComingSoon.net]], Nikolaj Arcel confirmed that ''The Drawing of the Three'' would form the basis for the sequel, and that yet-to-be-cast actors who will play [[Eddie Dean (The Dark Tower)|Eddie]] and [[Susannah Dean]] would appear alongside Elba, McConaughey, Taylor, and Haley reprising their roles as Roland, Walter, Jake and Sayre respectively.<ref>Evry, Max (2017-08-07). [https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/features/876489-director-nikolaj-arcel-talks-dark-tower-ending-and-sequels-spoilers#/slide/1 "Director Nikolaj Arcel Talks Dark Tower Ending and Sequels (SPOILERS)."] ''ComingSoon.net''. Retrieved 2019-01-30.</ref>

=== Television === In February 2018, [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]] bought the rights to ''The Dark Tower'' books for a series adaptation, though it was not made clear at first if anyone from the film would be involved.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/us/tv/the-dark-tower/258624/the-dark-tower-tv-series-release-date-story-details-and-everything-else-we-know|title=The Dark Tower TV Series Release Date, Story Details, and Everything Else We Know|first=John|last=Saavedra|work=Den of Geek|date=March 31, 2018|access-date=September 11, 2018|archive-date=September 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922025128/http://www.denofgeek.com/us/tv/the-dark-tower/258624/the-dark-tower-tv-series-release-date-story-details-and-everything-else-we-know|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was later confirmed that the series would serve as a reboot, with [[Sam Strike]] and [[Jasper Pääkkönen]] being cast as Roland Deschain and The Man in Black, respectively.<ref>{{cite web|last=Otterson|first=Joe|url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/dark-tower-series-amazon-jasper-paakkonen-sam-strike-1203169085/|title='Dark Tower' Pilot at Amazon Casts Jasper Pääkkönen, Sam Strike|work=Variety|date=March 21, 2019|access-date=March 21, 2019}}</ref> In June 2019, [[Michael Rooker]], [[Jerome Flynn]] and Joana Ribeiro were also believed to be cast members.<ref>{{cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|url=https://deadline.com/2019/06/the-dark-tower-michael-rooker-cast-amazon-pilot-1202631117/|title='The Dark Tower': Michael Rooker Co-Stars In Amazon Pilot|work=Deadline|date=June 11, 2019|access-date=June 12, 2019}}</ref> In January 2020, Amazon decided not to move forward with the pilot, but [[production company]] [[Media Rights Capital|MRC]] is shopping the pilot scripts elsewhere.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |title='The Dark Tower' Series Adaptation Not Going Forward At Amazon |url=https://deadline.com/2020/01/the-dark-tower-series-adaptation-dead-pilot-amazon-not-going-forward-1202830606/ |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=January 15, 2020}}</ref>

In December 2022, director [[Mike Flanagan (filmmaker)|Mike Flanagan]] announced that he had acquired the rights to develop a television series based on the books and has plans for a multi-season release.<ref>{{cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|url=https://deadline.com/2022/12/mike-flanagan-amp-trevor-macy-the-dark-tower-series-movies-netflix-exit-midnight-club-canceled-amazon-intrepid-1235191018/|title=Mike Flanagan & Trevor Macy Reveal 'The Dark Tower' Adaptation In Works At Intrepid, Talk Leaving Netflix For Amazon, 'Midnight Club's Cancellation & More|work=Deadline|date=December 8, 2022|access-date=December 8, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-29 |title=La Torre Nera: Mike Flanagan è pronto a portare in tv la saga di Stephen King - Torre 21 |url=https://www.torre21.net/2024/08/29/la-torre-nera-anteprima/ |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=www.torre21.net |language=it-IT}}</ref>

=== Audiobooks ===

Currently there exist five audio versions of The Dark Tower series – in English, Polish, German, French and Russian. The audio book in English published by [[Hodder & Stoughton]] features voices of [[George Guidall]] and [[Frank Muller]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://stephenking.com/library/audiobook/|title=StephenKing.com - Audiobooks - A to Z|website=stephenking.com|access-date=2017-07-02|archive-date=2017-10-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010114059/http://stephenking.com/library/audiobook/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and has neither music nor sound effects. The audio book in German published by [[:de:Random House Audio|Deutschland Random House Audio]] introduces [[:de:Vittorio Alfieri (Schauspieler)|Vittorio Alfieri]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.randomhouse.de/Autor/Vittorio-Alfieri/alleTitel178795.rhd|title=Bücher von Vittorio Alfieri|website=Verlagsgruppe Random House|language=de|access-date=2017-07-04}}</ref> and [[:de:David Nathan|David Nathan]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.randomhouse.de/Hoerbuch-Download/Wind/Stephen-King/Random-House-Audio/e423626.rhd|title=Wind|website=Verlagsgruppe Random House|language=de|access-date=2017-07-04}}</ref> as the narrators. The French audiobooks are published by [[Éditions Gallimard]] and narrated by [[Jacques Frantz]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gallimard.fr/Catalogue/GALLIMARD/Ecoutez-lire/La-Tour-Sombre|title=La Tour Sombre - Écoutez lire - GALLIMARD - Site Gallimard|website=www.gallimard.fr|language=fr|access-date=2017-07-04}}</ref> In Russian, ''[[The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger|The Gunslinger]]'', as narrated by Igor Knyazev,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.abookee.ru/index.php/king-stiven/item/188-king-stiven-strelok|title=Кинг Стивен - Стрелок|access-date=2017-07-02|language=ru-ru}}</ref> does not have any music or sound effects

The first two novels in the series, The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger and The Dark Tower II: The Drawing of the Three, were produced on audio cassette by New Audio Library (NAL) in 1988 and 1989 respectively. The Waste Lands, The Dark Tower Part III, was produced on audio cassette by Penguin Highbridge Audio in 1991. Each of these early editions was narrated by the author. The Waste Lands includes musical accompaniment throughout.

All of these editions were subsequently re-recorded in 1997 with Frank Muller as the narrator for continuity. Muller narrates the fourth book in the series, The Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass. Stephen King selected Muller as his voice for all audio narrations at this time. Frank Muller suffered a catastrophic brain injury in a motorcycle accident in 2001. The narration task then fell to George Guidall, who recorded the final three books in the series in quick succession in 2003 and 2004. George Guidall was also called upon to re-record The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger, the first book in the series, in 2003, as the author made significant changes to that story to better match what came later.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?15058-The-Gunslinger-Revised-A-Side-by-Side-Comparison&s=eb9ea9b60c29f94a1377c2017a77d939|title=The Gunslinger Revised: A Side by Side Comparison|website=Palaver - A forum for Stephen King fans & Book Collectors}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist|30em}}

==External links== * {{Official website}} {{wikiquote}} {{DarkTower|state=collapsed}} {{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dark Tower, The}} [[Category:The Dark Tower (series)| ]] [[Category:Book series introduced in 1982]] [[Category:American fantasy novel series]] [[Category:American horror novels]] [[Category:The Dark Tower (series) novels| ]] [[Category:Self-reflexive novels]] [[Category:High fantasy novels]] [[Category:Novels about parallel universes]] [[Category:American novels adapted into comics]] [[Category:Novels by Stephen King]] [[Category:American novels adapted into films]] [[Category:Metafictional works]]