Stephen King's 'The Dark Tower' Coming to Theaters as a Trilogy with 'A Beautiful Mind' Duo
Ron Howard will direct an Akiva Goldsman script
Fans of Stephen King's "Dark Tower" series, myself included, will surely react one way or another to the news being reported by Deadline tonight saying Imagine Entertainment and Weed Road are in discussions to make a screen trilogy and TV series out of the fantasy series centered on Roland Deschain of Gilead and his search for The Dark Tower.
One of the most popular articles on the site was news Damon Lindeloff and J.J. Abrams were looking to turn the franchise into a seven film series, though that doesn't look to be the goal. Instead Roland will get a three film trilogy with Ron Howard directing and Akiva Goldsman writing the script, which is where I am sure fans will surely raise their eyebrows.
Goldsman penned the scripts for Batman and Robin, Batman Forever, I, Robot, Cinderella Man, A Beautiful Mind and recently I Am Legend and Angels and Demons. Depending on your taste I assume you can find a couple of films you like out of that bunch, but there are many that make me wonder if this is seriously the best team to bring this franchise to the big screen.
The news also comes saying there will be a TV series, which is where I am assuming the decision to go with a filmed trilogy comes in as opposed to adapting all seven books, though I think condensing it is a very good idea, and also much safer for a studio to consider rather than hoping the films will all do well enough for a seven film franchise. "The Dark Tower" is a well known franchise, but I would never say it has Harry Potter juice.
So obviously Abrams and Lindeloff weren't able to get things working and Goldsman will be starting from scratch. What's left is to wonder who should play Roland? Michael Fassbender? Guy Pearce? Viggo Mortensen? Those are a couple off the top of my head. Any other suggestions out there?
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Thats awesome news. To be honest, Im just glad its being made, and at least its at least respected film makers involved. Im still waiting for 'The Talisman' movie that has supposedly being made. Of all the Stephen King books to be adapted, the 'Dark Tower' books and the 'Talisman' books deserve to be made.
Wow… and I was starting to think these would never get made!
I'm very excited to see what Ron Howard will come up with (I never really liked the idea of Abrams helming the series anyway).
And I read somewhere that King will be co-producing as well.
Ah, I can't wait!
J.J. Abrams is my favorite director. So sad you don't feel the same way
Since this would have likely jeopardized Abrams's involvement with future Star Trek films, I'm glad he's not doing it. I didn't even know Goldsman wrote I, Robot and I Am Legend…probably among the better of his works actually, along with Cinderella Man and A Beautiful Mind (did that win a screenplay Oscar? Can't remember….)
Yes, It did win best adapted screenplay Oscar.
Yes it did.
I'm very happy to hear it is coming to the big screen, but I really am not sure about the party involved.
Ron Howard? I guess Tom Hanks will be playing Roland. :o(
don't forget Russel Crowe!!
Josh Brolin, even after Jonah Hex.
Brad, upload the photo of Chris Hemsworth as Thor!
I knew this would happen eventually. Although I am not sure how I feel about these people adapting it…
Guy Pearce as Roland and Sam Rockwell as Eddie…
Some books just shouldn't be made into movies and the Dark Tower series is one of the best examples of that maxim. Even as a trilogy, too much will have to be cut and compressed. And there's the huge question of what to do with Jake? Can't find a 12-year-old kid who won't age, and a CGI Jake would be laughable. The books are fine right where they are, they don't need to be put through the celluloid grinder.
Thank u Travis.. Im glad that Im not the only one that feels this way. If any of Sai Kings past movie and tv adaptions are any indication of the butchery done to adapted works then I don't want the Dark tower anywhere near the slaughter!!! These stories have been with me a long time.. I grew up with these books, I laughed, cried, screamed, loved and hated theses characters. Nothing they put to film, tv, cg will ever compare to what I have known and lived in ,my mind for the past 20 yrs.
I just know that they will chop all the intricate details out, sensationalize the characters and obliviate all sense of nobility right out of these books. then all the people who have never read these amazing books will know is hollywoods cheesy version of sai king's greatest work! UGH!!!
If movies aren't made about these great books in our lifetimes they will be years from now so as much as i love imagining this worlds in my mind i am curious to see how it would all appear on the big screen.
My dad was sceptical about the Lord of the Rings after reading the books over and over for years but in the end, a director he had no idea about, Peter Jackson, put amazing images on screen and he was impressed.
I hope to feel the same way one day after these movies hit the silver screen.
I totally dig the idea of Sam Rockwell as Eddie, as well as Josh Brolin for Roland, espescially after No Country for Old Men. Though Sam has the junkie aspect, i dunno about the attractiveness he later attains, maybe Timothy Olyphant? and Lets say Jada Pinkett Smith for Susannah, lol, she has the spunk and sexuality. Lets put Sam R. as Mr. Brown haha
NO NO NO NO !!!
AKIVA GOLDSMAN IS NOT THE PERSON TO WRITE FOR THIS !
Too bad Clint Eastwood's too old for the role
im glad u mentioned guy pearce. because every time i watch the proposition, his character reminds me of roland…
Clive Owen as Roland, when I see him in Sin City I always think Roland. Timothy Olyphant as Eddie…its too perfect. And Rosario Dawson as Susannah.
Sam Rockwell WOULD be amazing as Eddie if he weren't a good twelve years too old for the part. As for Roland, Guy Pearce would be immense and I think you can pretty much bank on an unknown for Susannah unless Halle Berry shows an interest (God forbid).
From what I've heard the TV series will be penned and directed by the same team and be televised between the film releases. That way they won't have to cut TOO much of the content, hopefully. They're still looking at YEARS of production though which, as an earlier poster said, causes huge problems for the role of Jake. A twelve year old that doesn't age is hard to find…
Andy Serkis to voice Oy? Heh…
Ok I have heard several people mention Guy Pearce… why would a pretty boy make a good Roland, he is a weather well travelled man who has the hints of what was once a very attractive young man.
Who is best for this role?
Quite obviously… if you have read the books…. CLINT EASTWOOD he is not too old for it. The character of Roland can be played by an older man.
A lot of people would line up to see Eastwood slinging a 6 shooter again.
THANK YOU JASON!
finally someone talking sense about actors.
Eastwood would be great in the series, but i can't see him playing Roland. No I think he should play father Callahan.
Can't you just see his eyes twinkling as he sneers while facing down that horde of vampires. grinning as he goes to his final rest, lovely image. Classic Eastwood.
I believe that the only actor out there for Roland is Viggo Mortensen, hands down. He is weathered and beaten, he has them bullshooter eyes naturally and, after watching Appaloosa and History of Violence, i am convinced that he is the best man for the job.
A digression
NO MORE PRETTY BOY ACTORS FOR ROLAND! NONE! HE IS NOT HANDSOME NOR "HOT" REMEMBER HOW EDDIE SEES HIM
"Long, tall and ugly."
I've been pushing for Mortensen from the get go, see my other posts on the seven film tower thread.
Jared Leto as Eddie, I know what you're thinking, But after Lord of War, he earned my approval, he has the look, can pull off Junky easily and could become the Eddie in the books
he'd even be perfect for the Death scene in Blue Heaven
Rosario Dawson, or maybe Mrs. Smith for Susannah
Jake is a tough one, i still have no real actor in mind, i've heard everything from that dumb Zac Effron dude to one of The Jonas brothers, needless to say, I DO NOT AGREE with any of those. My pick is still up in the air
Randall Flagg: Currently a tie between Jamey Sheridan (who has already played this role) a clean shaven Hugh Laurie, and Nicolas Cage (arguable of course) they both have the thin face that Randall is described as having (see THE STAND)
How about Mordred. Any ideas?
The Crimson King?
oh, and Tower Junkie, Now i get to bother you here. Looking forward to it ;)
May the road lead past all dangers,
Camuss111
Personally, I think the one person who really fits the bill for Roland; Older ,weathered, tall, thin,"ugly" but has a certain appeal, is SAM ELLIOT. Clint Eastwood would be great as Rolands old mentor and teacher in his flashbacks and memories…as for a 12 yr old that never ages, there is a boy on Disney channel's Hannah Montana who is probably 16 or so but has not changed a bit since the show started! He plays "Rico", can't think of his name right now, but he truly IS 12 yr old who never ages!!