Oscar-nominated director Frank Darabont, known for his masterpieces like The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile, recently made a surprise return to the small screen by directing an episode of Stranger Things. In season five, he directed “The Turnbow Trap” and has another episode titled “Shock Jock” lined up for volume two. However, among his many achievements, Darabont’s most significant contributions are arguably his adaptations of Stephen King novels, which include The Mist and The Green Mile. Before Mike Flanagan took on the mantle of adapting King’s works, Darabont and King shared a prominent cinematic partnership.
Why Didn’t Frank Darabont Take on ‘The Dark Tower’?
There’s a fascinating story behind why Darabont didn’t adapt King’s ambitious series, The Dark Tower. In an enlightening interview with IndieWire, he revealed an intriguing bit of history, shedding light on his discussions with King about the film.
What was Frank Darabont’s initial reaction to ‘The Dark Tower’?
Darabont shared that during a pivotal phone call, King reached out to him expressing an interest in collaborating on The Dark Tower. “I was flattered and honored,” Darabont recalled. Despite his admiration, he recognized the enormity and complexity of adapting such an intricate story. “It’s so in the heads of the characters, and it’s this massive, endless story,” he noted. The thought of spending a decade on a project that could miss the mark weighed heavily on him.
What led to Darabont’s decision to decline the project?
Choosing to step back was clear for Darabont, even though it didn’t come easy. He told King, “I love you… Thank you for asking, but I gotta not do this.” He feared he would have been paralyzed with the project’s demands if he had accepted. King was understanding, and the conversation transitioned naturally, allowing them both to move on.
Did Frank Darabont ever reconsider working on ‘The Dark Tower’?
A couple of years later, the director’s curiosity about The Dark Tower resurfaced. “What’s going on with The Dark Tower? I don’t know, I might reconsider that,” he asked King. Unfortunately, by then, the project was already in the hands of someone else. “Oh, no, it’s with somebody else by now,” King replied. Despite this shift, Darabont felt gratitude toward King, whom he described as “one of the world’s greatest people.”
What does Frank Darabont say about Stephen King?
Though he didn’t take on The Dark Tower, his respect for King remains unwavering. “I really owe him so much. You can imagine, my whole directing career, I owe to Steve King,” he reflected. This makes it clear that even though one significant project didn’t materialize, their professional journey has been meaningful and impactful for both.
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