Ron Howard Says The Dark Tower Is Moving Forward
Posted 05.25.11 by Ryan
Earlier this month, it looked like Universal's adaptation of The Dark Tower could be in trouble, as the financially cautious studio figured out how to handle the budget. Based on Stephen King's massive Dark Tower series — which consists of seven novels (with an eighth novel on the way) and a short story and follows an alternate universe gunslinger named Roland Deschain — the planned adaptation was a uniquely ambitious one that called for a trilogy of movies, and two TV series which would bridge the trilogy.
Academy Award–winning director Ron Howard is set to helm at least the first movie, with Howard's Oscar–winning A Beautiful Mind screenwriter Akiva Goldsman scripting the first movie and TV series. In a recent conversation with EW, Howard revealed that, despite Universal reportedly getting nervous about the instant franchise's budget, everything was going as planned.
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. We're thinking of starting in early spring now.
While using two TV series to help fill the gap between movies is a fairly unprecedented move, Howard explained that TV was the best medium to tell certain aspects of the story.
There are elements of the Dark Tower saga that are more personal and can be best dealt with on television. TV allows you to roll out details of the characters in a more methodical way.
With Howard so confident that production will begin next year, the only question is who will play the lead role. At the end of April, Javier Bardem was "officially" cast as Deschain, but with the production's delay, Howard wouldn't confirm Bardem's involvement in the movie.
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.
Should Bardem be in the role once Howard starts production, the plan is to have the actor participate in all aspects of the franchise, including the TV series.
Universal has set a May 17, 2013, release date for The Dark Tower and, so far, that has yet to be changed. If Howard doesn't get the "solid green light" for the spring, expect that date to be rescheduled.