Randall Flagg | |
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Stephen King character | |
Randall Flagg, as depicted by Michael Whelan
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First appearance | The Stand |
Created by | Stephen King |
Portrayed by |
Jamey Sheridan Matthew McConaughey |
Information | |
Nickname(s) | The Walkin' Dude The Dark Man The Hardcase Ageless Stranger The Man In Black |
Aliases | Walter Padick Walter o'Dim Marten Broadcloak Nyarlathotep Bill Hinch Russell Faraday Richard Fannin Richard Freemantle Rudin Filaro The Covenant Man Richard Fry Robert Franq Ramsey Forrest |
Species | Quasi-immortal human |
Relatives | Sam Padick (father) |
Nationality | Delain |
Randall Flagg is a fictional character created by American author Stephen King, who has appeared in at least nine of his novels. Described as "an accomplished sorcerer and a devoted servant of the Outer Dark", he has supernatural abilities involving necromancy, prophecy, and influence over animal and human behavior. His goals typically center on bringing down civilizations through destruction and conflict. He has a variety of names, usually with the initial letters "R. F." but with occasional exceptions, such as Walter o'Dim, originally envisioned by King as a separate character, in The Dark Tower series.
Flagg first appeared in The Stand as a demonic figure who wreaks havoc after a plague kills most of the population. He makes his second appearance in The Eyes of the Dragon as an evil wizard trying to plunge the fictional medieval city of Delain into chaos. Flagg was a primary antagonist in King's epic series, The Dark Tower, who tries to keep protagonist Roland Deschain from reaching the Tower—the linchpin of existence—so he can claim it for himself and become a god. The Dark Tower expanded on Flagg's background and motivation, linking his previous appearances. Aside from King's novels, Flagg was featured in a television miniseries adaptation of The Stand in which he was portrayed by Jamey Sheridan and The Dark Tower film adaptation in which he was portrayed by Matthew McConaughey. He has also appeared in Marvel Comics' adaptations of The Dark Tower and The Stand.