Mike Flanagan’s The Dark Tower Series Should Explore This Enigmatic Figure

One of the most important aspects of any great series is developing the world and the mythos that give that series depth and a firm gravitas that fans can really get behind. Shows like The Penguin have done this, developing not only the city of Gotham but the rich backstory of characters like Oz and Sofia Falcone to allow the audience to feel this story come to life on the screen. The upcoming adaption of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower by creator Mike Flanagan needs to do this by exploring a truly enigmatic figure from that particular series, Arthur Eld.

A legendary hero and figure from this fantasy world’s history, Arthur Eld is the first of the once powerful gunslingers, leading the group into battle and creating a line that descends all the way to the series protagonist, Roland Deschain. Before the last of the gunslingers fled across the desert in chase of the mysterious man in black, Arthur Eld was the hero who promised that he and his descendants would protect the Dark Tower and prevent another reign of chaos across the land. This is one of many reasons why Mike Flanagan’s Dark Tower series needs to explore this enigmatic figure.

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Arthur Eld, EXPLAINED

The origins of Arthur Eld are quite a mystery and subject to many rumors. It was said that he emerged thousands of years after the fall of the Great Old Ones, an ancient race of humans who forged places in All-World that merged technology with magic and were convinced by the immortal ageless stranger, Maerlyn, to replace the Dark Tower with their own creation. Some say that he emerged from a tomb already wielding the powerful weapon Excalibur, while others say that he was the original king to rule over All-World before the primordial forces of creation known as the Prim receded from the world.

Arthur became a cunning and inspiring hero for the people of All-World, who showed a great affinity for leading soldiers and warriors into the heart of battle. Wielding Excalibur, he helped lead the former warring factions of the land who came together to build The Affiliation, and fought against the mutants and mercenaries that Maerlyn unleashed on the land. When he was crowned High King of All-World, Maerlyn snuck magical entities into his coronation and attacked him. While Arthur survived, through a chance encounter, he spent a night with the Crimson Queen, who would give birth to a son they shared together, the future evil being seeking to topple the Dark Tower, The Crimson King.

When his first wife was found to be unable to carry children, Arthur decided to continue his line through various women, the most prominent being Emmanuelle, daughter of Sir Kay. It is through her and the line she and Arthur gave birth to that Roland would someday be born, as would the creation of the ancient Horn of Eld and the sandalwood guns that Roland would carry with him to the Dark Tower, forged from the remains of Excalibur itself. Arthur would also eventually order the creation of other guns similar to the ones Roland inherits so that his knights would be able to carry them into battle, creating the Gunslingers in the process. Wearing a crown with 13 colored gems from the rainbow found from the Dark Tower’s striation, Arthur served for over 70 years before passing on, and his work held the baronies of All-World together for several years before they eventually disbanded.

Arthur’s Role in The Dark Tower Series

One of the many aspects of turning this epic saga into a major series rather than a singular film or trilogy is the ability to really hone in and create more detailed stories for fans to get invested in. Aside from exploring Roland’s origins and the role of the Gunslingers in their final days, flashbacks and new twists in Roland’s story can come from exploring the original gunslinger and hero of In-World, Arthur Eld. The leader who would inspire Roland and his people generations later and a major architect for All-World and its structure, Arthur is truly the spitting image of King Arthur and his knights of the round table.

The books originally touch upon Arthur Eld sporadically, giving his name power through the world’s history and yet not focusing enough on his contributions to Roland’s future mission to the Dark Tower. The comics expanded upon that history, and his connection to people like The Crimson King and the mission to protect the Dark Tower that all Gunslingers have for generations after his death make his role in the franchise crucial, vital to Roland’s future quest to find and protect the Dark Tower.

Every epic fantasy, sci-fi and horror series needs a mythological figure like this to tie the mythos of the story together. Arthur Eld is the powerful figure Mike Flanagan’s Dark Tower series needs, with his backstory and rise to power filled with Shakespearean-level drama that holds untold connections to the main Dark Tower series. The fairly open-ended nature of his history and background also lends itself to new stories to be told, allowing the creator to give him more of a voice in the franchise than ever before.

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Stephen King

Stephen King is one of the most prolific living authors. A master of horror, King’s classic works include The Shining, Carrie, Cujo, It, and the Dark Tower series. Many of his books and short stories have been adapted to film and television, including The Shawshank Redemption, Lisey’s Story, 1408, Secret Window, and The Stand.

Birthdate

September 21, 1947

Birthplace

Portland, Maine

Notable Projects

The Shining
, Cujo
, The Shawshank Redemption
, It
, Carrie