Stephen King's 'Dark Tower' Confirmed for Three Films
Ron Howard set to direct first installment
Well, I've been reporting on it for what seems like forever, but it now appears this past April's announcement Imagine Entertainment and Weed Road would take on Stephen King's epic "Dark Tower" series and turn it into a film trilogy is coming to pass.
In a press release, Universal announced Universal Pictures and NBC Universal Television Entertainment have acquired the rights to produce three films and a television series based on the seven novels, short stories and comic books that make up King's The Dark Tower series. Ron Howard will direct the first film and the first season of the television series, which will be written by Goldsman.
King is quoted in the release saying, "I've been waiting for the right team to bring the characters and stories in these books to film and TV viewers around the world. Ron, Akiva, Brian along with Universal and NBC have a deep interest and passion for the 'The Dark Tower' series and I know that will translate into an intriguing series of films and TV shows that respect the origins and the characters in 'The Dark Tower' that fans have come to love."
Of course, King was singing a different tune back in September 2008 when he told SCI FI Wire, "My attitude is, 'Go make a movie, and if it's good, that's terrific, and if it's bad, then it will go to the video stores and back shelves of Blockbuster, and I still get royalties on the book." This was back when Damon Lindeloff and J.J. Abrams were taking a stab at the story, which obviously didn't work out.
I finished reading the seven book series sometime back in 2008 and while one or two of the books ("Song of Susannah" specifically) are pretty much worthless, the idea of turning that story into three movies sounds impossible. Obviously tons will have to be cut out as the seventh book alone could make up two movies. However, it sounds like the movies and the television series will work in tandem and perhaps play off each other, filling in blanks between films.
Ron Howard adds in the release, "By using both the scope and scale of theatrical filmmaking and the intimacy of television we hope to more comprehensively do justice to the characters, themes and amazing sequences King has given us in 'The Dark Tower' novels. It might be the challenge of a lifetime but clearly a thrilling one to take on and explore."
That quote aside, I'm not sure what I think of the team that brought us Angels and Demons trying to adapt this epic story into a worthwhile film trilogy. It just doesn't seem right to me looking at Goldsman's screenwriting credits, which does include A Beautiful Mind, but also includes Batman Forever, Batman and Robin and Lost in Space.
Additionally, Howard doesn't seem like the kind of filmmaker that will be able to get down and dirty with this material and really bring the story of Roland Deschain of Gilead and his search for The Dark Tower. That does beg the question, Who will should play Roland? Eastwood would've been great in his prime, but that time has passed. So who's left?
In a past article suggestions have included Daniel Craig, Viggo Mortensen, Hugh Laurie ("House"), Hugh Jackman, Jeff Fahey (Machete), Christian Bale, Clive Owen, Joaquin Phoenix and Daniel Day-Lewis. There are several more right here if you are interested. Perhaps you have your own suggestions or you like some of these, have at it in the comments below.
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Does this sound to anyone else like kind of a risky investment?
viggo for the win, the talented involved makes me question it though..
Joaquin Phoenix
I remember when James Levine was asked, in prepping FANTASIA 2000, if he thought Beethoven's 5th could be done in three minutes. After a moment he said "If you chose the right three minutes". I think there's a case there for the 7-Volume Dark Tower, too. 3 films? Why not…if you chose the 'right three minutes'. 7 films? Well, HARRY POTTER has dragged on beyond my interest level now. A Dark Tower trilogy isn't impossible – 'Wizard and Glass' was a book-length flashback which frankly bored me. 'The Wolves of the Calla' was a v-e-r-y drawn out prelude to a gunfight. There's two books out of the way already. And the first volume is pretty slim anyway.
As for Howard and Goldsman? I can hear fanboy knives sharpening already. I'll cut Howard a little slack because APOLLO 13 was quite an achievement. He may King's novel as a chance to show an edgier side.
I've only read the first book, but hopefully Ron Howard can do it justice with the film.
You really owe it to yourself to go further with the books. Wastelands is fantastic and so is Wizard and Glass, but after all the reading you put in I really think King gave back to the readers big time with the seventh book, The Dark Tower. He brings it all back to the world that made the first few books so great and it is a fitting end to an excellent series.
Agreed. Gonna be so difficult to adapt into 3 films even with the TV show.
Going to have to disagree with you there. I'm literally using the seventh book as a doorstop since I'll never read it again.
The ending is a huge slap in the face to all the fans who stuck with the books all the way through. I mean, once the author inserts himself into the story, you've officially run out of ideas.
You can't tell me that he was planning to have that ending when he first started writing it. I just hope they cover the first 4 books and leave it open ended.
I'm really nervous about Ron Howard doing The Dark Tower. I mean, I don't hate the guy or anything like that. He's not necessarily a bad choice by any means. But The Dark Tower really doesn't seem like his kind of material.
This all sounds too good to be true. Loved the Books (although the 6th book was kinda sucky)….
Wondering if this will ever come to fruition though. All i know is I wanna see this. Even if it sucks (which I doubt) it will still be made now and maybe a remake will be made in 25 years and maybe they will get it right then. I say now is a great time for a first attempt at this story.. )This is a great opportunity for something to be done on multiple platforms to create a great epic story.
The cool thing is if they do indeed use the books and comic books as basis for this they will be able to expand on so much with all the time for storyteling.
It would be cool to see it go like this:
FILM 1 : Books 1 and 2
TV SERIES 1 : Book 3 + Beginning and End of Book 4 +additional expanded adventures
FILM 2: Books 5 and 6
TV SERIES 2: The Meat of Book 4 + The Comic Book Prequels dealing with young Roland.
FILM 3: BOOK 7
The tricky part may be to find a lead actor who can carry the film (and be willing to do television for the first series at least) and will work as Roland.
I personally think Guy Pearce would be a good Roland.
Clive Owen would be great for the part.
Terry Gilliam would of been awesome for these movies, but i think Josh Brolin for Roland
Ron Howard can be a great director – as long as he isn't making Dan Brown adaptions, but Goldsman is just a waste of space for me. His bland and safe hands have turned many a film into a tedious chore.
He knows how to write 'Hollywood Movies' but he's not actually a good writer most of the time. That said, I also tend to think 'A Beautiful Mind' is one of the most over-rated Oscar winning films ever made.
It's been years since I read any of the books but I always pictured a broken down Eastwood in the role but as stated that time has passed. Considering the current crop of actors I think I would like Nathan Fillion try to tackle it. It may or may not work but it would certainly be interesting.
I think Jackman would be perfect. Wolverine will be obviously the last one and I think he would be ready to step into another series. He is also extremly talented and this role would suit him. Howard is a great director and can make anything imo.
This is from the press release…
Howard, Grazer and Goldsman are planning for the first film in the trilogy to be immediately followed by a television series that will bridge the second film. After the second film, the television series will pick up allowing viewers to explore the adventures of the protagonist as a young man as a bridge to the third film and beyond.
So looks like all the flashback stuff from The Gunslinger & Wizard & Glass will be dealt with in the TV series which is very good news in my book. I was worried Roland's past would be left out.
By the way, Hans Zimmer has composed Howard's last 3 movies so let's all hope & pray he signs up to compose The Dark Tower series. That guy is a genius.
Clive Owen would be perfect! He has the right amount of brooding, iron-willed intensity and leading man good looks to bring Roland to the screen.
Clive Owen would suck as Roland. He's a good actor, but definitely wrong for the role. I do (sort of) like him, so it'd be nice if he could prove me wrong. I notice some of the people suggesting him also think Ron Howard's a good choice for Director. Pfft. With him and his team this will be Hollywooded bullshit. Someone like Alejandro Jodorowsky should direct (QUICK, before he dies). In fact, I think El Topo probably played a part in at least a few of the scenes from the novels.
I think Viggo Mortenson would be a good choice as Roland. I wasn't sold on his acting skills after Lord of the Rings, but he's great in Cronenberg's films. Cronenberg might be able to bring the books justice as well… maybe.
I'd say, if you can get your hands on Daniel Day-Lewis, you cast his ass. The man is the best actor of his generation. He can play anything, in my opinion.
Hamza,
I don't think I agree with you that Daniel Day is the best actor of his generation, but I do think he'd be perfect for Roland. He kind of annoys me, but I think he could carry the movie. That being said, you'd think Tom Hanks could carry an average movie with an average director and make it stand out, but he couldn't.
Fucking Ron Howard… I don't believe it…
I dont know if this will work. It makes me really sad to say that because I love the books so much that it would nearly kill me to see anyone do wrong to my favorite books of all time. I do respect Ron Howard as a director but this material is not his type. Its to edgy, dark, violent, and complex. If he can resort back to Apollo 13 form maybe. It also makes me sad because I will be entering film school next year and my dream goal is to make the Dark Tower series. Goodbye dream.
oldskool, what are you talking about? That ending was perfect. Of course, I can't give any reasons for that opinion without spoiling it for everyone, but I still thought it was perfect. Toward the end I could kind of see that that was maybe where things were headed, and I was so happy to see that they actually did. I can imagine King might have planned it, if not from the beginning, then at least longer in advance than he plans most of his endings (The Stand, Under the Dome in particular).
Absolutely Viggo Mortensen for Roland.
My vote is on Hugh Laurie to play Roland. He has the right look and has many levels of subtleness. Guy Pearce would be interesting but a little too young. I like Hugh Jackman, but he's too pretty. Roland needs a edgy worn out look/feel to him.
All in all I'm very excited about this news of movies as well as tv series. There's so much story, that movies alone couldn't do it justice. But adding a couple of movies sounds awesome if for nothing else, than I'd love to see certain epic scenes and landscapes on the big screen.
Concerning the ending of Tower 7, I absolutely loved it, it was splendid. And I'm very picky about endings of stories. It's funny to hear which books are favorites and least favorites of fans. My least favorite was 4. It was good, but I was disappointed to discover Roland's past, as it took something away from the mystery of the character for me. However, the scenes with Blaine, Wizard of Oz, and Stand re-creations were amazing. It's hard to choose since I loved them all, but books 3 and 5 are my faves.
I think every book has a special unique importance for the whole plot. I'm really not sure if you folks are aware of the loads of connections between many Shortstories and Novels to each other and The Dark Tower.
They mostly appear in only a short quote, backflash or sometimes just in one word!
In my oppinion that's what makes a really great part of the fascination for The Dark Tower to me and lots of other King-Fans out there.
You can't imagine how great this story is without knowing at least a few of them.
So let's see what KA will do with it ;-)
Russel Crowe – Roland
Edward Norton/Neil Patrick Harris – Eddie
Clint Eastwood – Father Callahan
Almost hate to say this: Hugh Jackman would make a real good Gunslinger too.
Just hope Howard doesn't stick to Tom Hanks anymore
GUNSLINGER1081 and MIKEINSEATTLE;
I'm glad neither of you have a hand in these films.
Hugh Laurie for Roland? Neil Patrick Harris for Eddie?? Did you even read the books???
Pat,
Ha too funny, your comment! Heck yeah I've read the books, and loved them. I have to admit when I first heard Hugh Laurie's name mentioned for Roland my immediate reaction was WTF. But after pondering it, I think it would be brilliant casting. Someone above also mentioned Karl Urban, very interesting. I think he's a bit young but definitely intriguing.
My biggest concern is that the tone and atmosphere of the books are translated faithfully. Everyone (critics and fans) thought it couldn't be done for the Lord of the Rings, but Peter Jackson managed to pull it off beautifully. And his resume (pre-LOTR) wasn't any better than Ron Howard's is. I'm not a hugh fan of Howard (don't love or hate his work), but actually he has shown he can explore darkness and the edgier side of things. Check out his list of movies. Sure, he's a Hollywood director, but I was surprised to remember he directed "The Paper" "Ransom" and "Frost/Nixon". These films weren't edgy on the Chris Nolan scale, but they were excellent plot/character driven stories.
Bottom line, do I wish someone else obtained the rights, like Chris Nolan, Tim Burton, Sam Raimi, or Bryan Singer? Of course. But I think Howard can do a good job. After all, he knows characters, whether it be his dramas or comedies, and it's the characters that we most love in Stephen King's masterpiece creation. I love the Dark Tower and all the symbolic meanings, and antagonists, and settings, but in the end I'd follow Roland and his ka-tet anywhere they happened to travel.
Also, don't underestimate the power of good storytelling allowed to show on network tv. There are quite a few really good shows out there (current and past) that can get away with being dark and heavy, and last several seasons. Lost, Fringe, Buffy, Xfiles.
Long days and pleasant nights!
It's not that I think Hugh Laurie's a bad actor, and I guess he has the rugged look, but not being from the States, to hear him speak with an American accent is just ridiculous. He was sooooo incredibly lame in House. As for Neil Patrick Harris (and I know you didn't suggest that), that's just laughable. I'm not sure if the poster was serious though, so I'll lay off.
I also think the reason Peter Jackson did well with Lord Of the Rings was because the source material was a lot more generic, and certainly more commercial. Also, Peter Jackson made Braindead so he'll forever be in my list of greats.
I don't mind some of those directors. Nolan (who I'm not a fan of) is certainly a visionary, so could probably pull out something descent, and with Burton behind it it'd look pretty interesting (although I think he'd make it more of his own thing), but I think we need someone completely away from Hollywood.
Really, I think they should go spaghetti western style and bring in an Italian team. That way we could bet Ennio Morricone would be on board, and that'd be fucking rad.
Pat,
I have to say, I agree with you about the Lord of the Rings success. Definitely more people (even non-fantasy fans) were familiar with it. With the Dark Tower, I find that I run into many scifi/fantasy fans that have never even heard of the Dark Tower. So, this does worry me that this movie/tv endeavor will succeed. Wow, thanks alot Pat for raining on my parade!
Yep, something completely away from Hollywood would be nice. All unknown actors too or non-movie stars. I loved Battlestar Galactica for this. Hmmmmmm, there's always hope that the Dark Tower won't be butchered, especially with a rabid fan base that it has.
haha sorry…
I've never seen Battlestar Gallactica but I keep hearing it's pretty rad. I might have to check that out.
I keep forgetting they want turn DT into a TV show as well. I just hope book 3 is a film. When I read it, I probably found it the most boring of the series, but it seemed to stick in my mind more than the others, and looking back now I think it had a lot going for it. It was probably one of the most cinematic. I loved the mono…
I don't know much about American tv stations, except that HBO seems to be the only one with any balls, so I hope against all that's been said it ends up with them.
I loved Oz.