Attention! There are big spoilers ahead for The Dark Tower novels and (potentially) the movie. So you may want to skip this post if you absolutely don’t want any clues about the potential ending!
Now, assuming you’re still with us, we need to talk about Stephen King‘s newest hint that The Dark Tower film may be more than it initially seemed. The Dark Tower novels followed the Gunslinger, Roland Deschain, on his journey across worlds to locate the fabled Dark Tower. Along the way, Roland lost friends and suffered tragedies, but he made it to the end of his journey where he discovered—twist/major spoiler!—that he had done it all before. You see, Roland’s life is a time loop from which he can’t break free.
The ending of the last novel in the series offered some hope for Roland, though, as the latest reset left him in possession of the Horn of Eld, an object he had previously left behind. It was a symbol that meant Roland could change things in his favor this time—and now, perhaps, that time has finally come, if King’s tweet can be believed.
The Dark Tower is close, now. The Crimson King awaits. Soon Roland will raise the Horn of Eld. And blow. pic.twitter.com/rqGSKM3dWL
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) May 19, 2016
Without the context, the picture would be meaningless. But with it, there’s the unmistakable impression that The Dark Tower movie is actually the sequel to the novels instead of a straight-up adaptation. That could give director Nikolaj Arcel the freedom to change things and offer up a few surprises.
It’s been widely noted that the depiction of Roland on the Dark Tower book covers differs from Idris Elba‘s physical appearance. What if that change is more than skin deep? After Roland’s last harrowing run through the cycle of events, maybe he is literally a new man in this incarnation. And someone who has truly changed can make different choices, especially if this is the last chance for Roland to get it right.
We’ll know more when The Dark Tower hits theaters on February 17, 2017.
Until then, how’s about our Nerdist News on the other potential changes?
What do you make of King’s latest hint? Share your Dark Tower theories below!
Image:Â Donald M. Grant, Publisher, Inc.
