Mike Flanigan's adaptation of The Dark Tower should include this important prequel story

Key conclusions

• Mike Flanigan's new adaptation of The Dark Tower is set to include major prequels such as The Fall of Gilead.
• The fall of Gilead and the Battle of Jericho Hill explain how Roland became the final shooter in the Stephen King series.
• These prequels offer emotional depth and important backstory to Roland's character and are essential to the TV adaptation.

The popularity of the adaptations of the horror writer does not decrease Stephen King novels, short stories and short stories. And so it's no surprise that many are looking forward to the film adaptation of the famous director Mike Flannigan The dark towerStephen King's most prolific and famous series. The story of the last archer to make his way to the Dark Tower to stop the Scarlet King from toppling the structure that holds the entire multiverse has long been woven into many of King's other works. Just yet The dark tower the series is directly related to the lore and myths that the author created years ago in book 1, Shooter. But there is an important story that the first book didn't get to: the fall of Gilead.

In the more modern adaptations of the series in the form of comics, the authors pieced together the events of the life of the main character Roland Deschain, which led to his becoming the last shooter in the universe. The fourth book in the main series, Wizard and glassexplores the many events leading up to that fall, including the most significant loss of Roland's young life. However, it was the fall of Gilead and the Battle of Jericho Hill that decided his fate, setting off on the legendary The dark tower. That's why Mike Flannigan has The dark tower an adaptation should include these vital prequels.

The Dark Tower, an explanation

Long considered Stephen King's greatest work, The dark tower The series tells the story of Roland Deschain, the last of the archers. Descended from the Elda Line (this universe's version of King Arthur), Roland decides to fulfill his people's final mission: to protect and secure the iconic Dark Tower. Events occurred that led them to believe that evil forces were working to break the powerful beams (powerful beams of energy spread through several worlds that contained the Dark Tower).

The first book begins with Roland chasing the Man in Black, a mysterious enemy who holds the answers to Roland's quest in the Dark Tower. On his journey, Roland meets other people who, like him, are displaced or lost to time. Soon he creates his own group of archers, teaching them the use of weapons and combat skills that he has devoted his entire life to learning. Along the way, they encounter many enemies, from killer talking trains and mechanized wolf soldiers to “low humans” or animal-humanoid hybrids in human masks. And of course there is their leader, the Scarlet King, a mortal ruler who seeks only oblivion.

All of the books explore elements such as the multiverse, allowing the author to use various other books he has written. The fourth book contains the settings found in the Standwhile noticeable Salem share the character of Father Callahan is making his way Wolves poop. King's other books also pull from The dark tower series in response. For example, Ted Bratigan in Heart of Atlantis saw Roland and his group moving towards the tower. Meanwhile, Black house (co-written with the late Peter Straub) not only introduced Twinner Parkus Speedy Parker as an ex-shooter, but revealed that one of the Scarlet King's facilities is being used to house children with the ability to telekinetically break the Dark Tower's beams.

The Fall of Gilead and the Battle of Jericho Hill

While the books cover much of the history and mythology of the Stephen King series, there will always be fans wanting more and looking for answers to lingering questions. Thanks to Marvel Comics, some of these questions have been answered. The story lines “The Fall of Gilead” and “The Battle of Jericho Hill” answered the question of how Roland became the last of the archers, and they are both epic and tragic.

Following the events of the fourth book of the main series, Roland is once again heartbroken when he discovers that he has been tricked by a powerful artifact known as Merlin's Grapefruit. This made him think that an old enemy, Rhea of ​​Kus, had actually returned, when in fact it was his mother, Gabrielle, standing in his place. When his father discovers that his son has taken his wife's life, he also discovers a poisoned blade in her face. This leads to the realization that their enemy, John Farson, has made Gabrielle attempt to take the life of Roland's father. Despite the circumstances, Roland is awaiting trial. However, he is soon freed and tasked with leading the survivors out of their Gilead home when his father and other riflemen are ambushed and taken out by Farsan's army.

The Battle of Jericho Hill takes place several years later, following a series of attacks led by Roland and the last remaining archers, culminating in a brutal final stand on the infamous Hill of Jericho. As his friends and allies fall one by one by his side, Roland is shot and left for dead. But soon after Farson's men leave, he stands resigned to defeat. He realizes that his mission in the Dark Tower is the only thing left for him to do, his people and his home destroyed once and for all.

These moments are crucial to how Roland became who he was at the beginning of the main series, and why he has such a hard time letting people back into his life after losing so much in his youth. These stories add to the emotional depth of his character, as well as the history and mythology that these comic prequels add to the history of Arrow and The dark tower in general. They are critical source material for the development of this series into a TV show and must be considered as Mike Flanigan develops the franchise.