There have been virtually no updates on the status of adapting Stephen King's magnum opus "The Dark Tower" for the screen in quite some time. At first, Universal was developing a project, but nothing ever came of it. Then, director Ron Howard and Warner Bros. were preparing a massively ambitious adaptation before the budget spiraled out of control and the project was dropped. Bringing the world that had moved on to the screen was starting to look like a lost cause for fans of the series.
But now, Deadline is reporting that Sony Pictures and MRC are teaming up to make a live-action version of the epic tale. The two studios will reportedly borrow from Warner Bros.' previous approach, starting with a feature film and working on a tie-in television series.
King's series follows Roland Deschain, the last in a line of Gunslingers that occupy a decaying world that shares many similarities to our own. According to Deadline, "The Gunslinger" will serve as the foundation for the first film. The working screenplay draft is from Academy Award winner Akiva Goldsman ("A Beautiful Mind") and Jeff Pinker ("The Amazing Spider-Man 2").
"I'm excited that 'The Dark Tower' is finally going to appear on the screen," King said. "Those who have traveled with Roland and his friends in their search for the Dark Tower are going to have their long-held hopes fully realized. This is a brilliant and creative approach to my books."
"There are few projects out there that compare with the scope, vision, complex characters and fully drawn world that Stephen King has created with The Dark Tower," Sony chairman Tom Rothman said. "I am a giant fan. And, as Stephen himself does, we love the direction that Akiva and Jeff have taken. This is a great opportunity for a director to put his or her stamp on a cool global franchise."
No director is said to be attached to the project at this time. Howard does remain involved, however, producing through his Imagine Entertainment alongside Brian Grazer and Erica Huggins.
No names are attached to star as of yet. In the past, Javier Bardem ("Skyfall", "No Country for Old Men") and Viggo Mortensen ("The Lord of the Rings", "Eastern Promises") were linked to the project.
We'll keep you posted as new details emerge.
