Even with the likes of Ron Howard and power producer Brian Grazer involved in developing it, the cinematic (and, in this incarnation, also televisual) adaptation of Stephen King’s Dark Tower series is seemingly resisting attempts to get it smoothly on to the screen. Earlier in the month came word that Universal had doubts that Howard and co would be able to pull off the planned films and series for a reasonable budget, with talk of a possible trip to turnaround. But now Howard has come out and talked about the issue, admitting delays, but seemingly sticking to the idea that he’ll get to work on it.
“We had to pull back to our September start date due to budget delays and ongoing story development and logistical issues, but Dark Tower is moving forward,” Howard tells Entertainment Weekly. “We’re thinking of starting in early spring now. I can’t really say who’ll be in it yet, but Javier Bardem has shown a great deal of interest. We’ll know by the end of the summer, when our flashing green light goes solid.” Hmmm… So while previous reports had the actor locked and loaded to play central Tower gunslinger Roland Deschain, now it would seem that the money issues and possible schedule shift are putting him back towards “likely” and not “confirmed.”
The current plan calls for one film to launch the project, then a six-hour TV series to add in more texture, before a possible two more pics. “There are elements of the Dark Tower saga that are more personal and can be best dealt with on television,” Howard says. “TV allows you to roll out details of the characters in a more methodical way.”
While some are still nervous about Howard and his team – including writer Akiva Goldsman – as a safe pair of hands for the Tower’s sprawling story, we’ll have to wait a little while to see if they definitely get their shot…