The Dark Tower

Ron Howard Talks RUSH and THE DARK TOWER

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: November 2nd, 2011 at 6:53 am

Ron Howard is currently at work on the Formula One racing drama Rush.  The movie is based on the true story of the 1970s rivalry between Austrian driver Niki Lauda (played by Daniel Brühl) and British driver James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth).  Howard recently spoke about how he’s going to try to sell Formula One to an American audience, which prefers NASCAR.  My pitch would be, “Hey!  Do you want to see what happens when the cars don’t have to go in a circle for ten hours?  Do you want to see racing that’s far more dangerous?  Then come see Rush!”  Howard has a slightly more sophisticated approach and it’s one that I find slightly encouraging.

Hit the jump for what Howard had to say about Rush as well as an update on his epic adaptation of Stephen King‘s The Dark Tower.

The TV Series Parts of THE DARK TOWER Head to HBO

by Ethan Anderton    Posted: October 25th, 2011 at 10:34 am

Just a couple days ago we got word from producer Brian Grazer that $45-50 million had been cut from the budget for the adaptation of Stephen King‘s The Dark Tower to make it more appealing to studios. While Grazer and director Ron Howard are still looking for a place to set up the film portion of the adaptation, we can’t forget that the ambitious project also calls for a couple seasons of television between three planned films. Thankfully, it doesn’t sound like that side of the deal has been hard to set up as Grazer recently spoke with MTV and said, “We’re going to do [The Dark Tower] with HBO. We’ll do the TV with HBO, and we’ll do the movie with… to be determined. We’ll do it right.” Seems like the best home for material like this, that way there aren’t any restrictions as to the violence, language, etc. No details as were offered as to just how long each season will be or anything like that, but it sounds like we might get some solid information sooner than later so stay tuned.

If you’re unfamiliar with The Dark Tower, hit the jump for a synopsis.

Producer Brian Grazer Says $45-50 Million Budget Cut Means THE DARK TOWER Will “Get Made”

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: October 23rd, 2011 at 8:46 pm

This past summer, Universal passed on Ron Howard‘s ambitious adaptation of Stephen King‘s The Dark Tower.  Howard, screenwriter Akiva Goldsman, and producer Brian Grazer planned to turn the series of novels into a trilogy tied together with a TV series.  Javier Bardem was attached to star in the movies and the second season of the television series (the first season would have been flashbacks and a younger actor would play Bardem’s character, Roland Deschain).  The studio and the creative team wrangled with the budget all summer.  In June, Grazer and Howard were optimistic that they had lowered the budget to a point where the movie and TV series could go into production.  However, Universal continued to balk at the price-tag.

Grazer now says they’ve shaved off $45-50 million, gotten a better ending as a result, and is confident that the movie will get made.  Hit the jump for more.

Universal Passes on Ron Howard’s Film and Television Adaptation of THE DARK TOWER

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: July 18th, 2011 at 4:51 pm

It may have been too good to be true. After first committing to an incredibly ambitious adaptation of Stephen King’s series The Dark Tower that spanned three films and two seasons of a TV show, Universal put the brakes on the project asking director Ron Howard, producer Brian Grazer and screenwriter Akiva Goldsman to scale the project down to make for a more feasible budget. The summer start date was pushed back to early next year while everyone involved worked to bring the budget down.

Well now it looks like the new version of the adaptation wasn’t scaled-down enough, as Universal has passed on financing the ambitious undertaking. Hit the jump for the details.

Ron Howard and Brian Grazer Talk THE DARK TOWER, Give Update on Reduced-Budget Script Changes

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: June 21st, 2011 at 8:34 am

To say Ron Howard’s adaptation of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower is ambitious is a bit of an understatement. When the project was first announced, it was hard to believe that something like that could get made in this budget-conscious age. Howard and producer Brian Grazer’s plan for The Dark Tower was to make three films and two seasons of a TV show, with the TV components bridging the gap between the larger-scale films. When it actually looked like this crazy concoction might happen, Universal pulled the production start-date (which was supposed to be this fall) and was working with Howard and co. to bring the budget down.

While some fans were concerned that the whole project may be waylaid, Howard and Grazer recently sat down to talk about the adaptation and they seem quite optimistic, stating that screenwriter Akiva Goldsman is now at work rewriting his screenplays to bring the budget down. Hit the jump to see what else the producing duo had to say about The Dark Tower.

Mark Verheiden Exclusive Interview FALLING SKIES

by Christina Radish    Posted: June 19th, 2011 at 8:58 am

As co-executive producer/writer on the alien invasion drama Falling Skies, Mark Verheiden certainly has the sci-fi background and credibility to bring the highly-anticipated series to life, having served as a writer/co-executive producer for three seasons on Battlestar Galactica, a consulting producer/writer for Seasons 3 and 4 of Heroes, and a writer/co-executive producer for the first three seasons of Smallville, along with writing the feature film screenplays for Timecop and The Mask, and various graphic novels. Stepping in for Graham Yost, who had to return to the FX series Justified after the pilot had been shot, Verheiden used the great template that had been established and set out to continue from there, exploring a story about finding hope in the humanity within yourself, while recovering from this terrible event that has changed their lives and civilization forever.

At the press day for the new TV series, Collider sat down with Mark Verheiden for this interview, in which he talked about his vision for the show, intentionally layering Falling Skies in such a way that it can appeal to people who are not typically sci-fi fans while still making those fans happy, how the aliens’ plan will gradually be revealed over the course of the series, the challenge of giving it a feature film feel on a TV show budget, and how stories are already being figured out for a possible Season 2. And, even though he couldn’t say anything concrete about the status of The Dark Tower, for which he is working as a writer/producer on the TV portion of the project, he did comment on how cool it was, how huge the project is, and that he hopes it will eventually go into production. Check out what he had to say after the jump:

Ron Howard Explains THE DARK TOWER Delay; Javier Bardem Not Yet Confirmed to Star

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: May 25th, 2011 at 11:02 am

I admire Ron Howard’s for his incredible ambition in trying to adapt Steven King’s The Dark Tower series into a trilogy of films with a TV series as the connective tissue between movies.  I don’t think he’ll be able to pull it off because he’s a bland director who thoughts that The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons needed to be humorless messes that retained all of the stupidity of the novels.

But earlier in May, Universal considered pulling out of The Dark Tower due to budget concerns.  The following week, we reported that Universal was working to bring down the budget and had pushed back the film’s start date.  Howard has now provided an update on the project’s status.  According to Howard, they’re now eyeing a spring 2012 start date but they’re stilling waiting for the green light.  Hit the jump for the full quote from Howard where he also casts doubt on the involvement of Javier Bardem.

Universal Working to Bring THE DARK TOWER Budget Down, Pushes Start Date Back

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: May 13th, 2011 at 1:27 pm

Maybe it really was just too good to be true. Last week, we reported that Universal was reconsidering their commitment to Ron Howard’s insanely ambitious adaptation of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series, which would span three feature films and two seasons of a TV show. Now THR reports that the project will remain at Universal, but Ron Howard, Brian Grazer and screenwriter Akiva Goldsman have regrouped and are attempting to bring what most certainly has to be a mammoth budget down to something more feasible.

The fall production start date has now been shelved, with no replacement date announced, but it’s rumored that they may be ready to go sometime early next year. However, what this means for star Javier Bardem’s involvement is unclear. His deal requires a great deal of his time be blocked out for the series, but pushing the start date back may interfere with other projects the actor has lined up. Howard will be directing at least the first film and first episode of the TV series. For now, we can be thankful that the project wasn’t shelved altogether. To catch up on all our coverage of The Dark Tower so far, click here.

Universal Considers Pulling Out of THE DARK TOWER

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: May 5th, 2011 at 9:25 pm

Every time I had the opportunity to write about the developing adaptation of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series, I wrote with awe at the ambition.  Three movies and two seasons of television!  I still can’t believe the studio is actually pulling this together.  Well, you see, here’s the thing…

Variety hears Universal is rethinking the original plan.  After encountering budgetary complications, the studio executives are expected to meet soon to decide whether to put the project into turnaround, at which point Imagine Entertainment heads Ron Howard and Brian Grazer could shop it to another studio.  If this happens, Universal could still co-finance or partner with the new home studio.

Variety stresses that, as of this writing, Universal has no plans to halt the development process.  Akiva Goldsman will write the screenplay, with Howard committed to direct at least the first movie.  Javier Bardem is on board as Roland Deschain, and the filmmakers are casting the supporting roles around him.  At the very least, though, this news casts a shadow of doubt on the planned May 17, 2013 debut.  More, including a synopsis of the series, after the jump.

Mark Verheiden to Co-Write THE DARK TOWER TV Series With Akiva Goldsman

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: April 12th, 2011 at 7:38 pm

Universal Pictures and sister company NBC Universal Television Entertainment have massive plans to adapt The Dark Tower, the sprawling series of horror-fantasy novels by Stephen King.  Up first is a Dark Tower feature film, the first in a planned trilogy.  Ron Howard will direct, Javier Bardem will play Roland Deschain.  Then NBC will premiere a Dark Tower television series to bridge the gaps between films.  Deadline reports Mark Verheiden has signed on to co-write and executive produce the series with Akiva Goldsman (Fringe).

Prior reports suggest the first TV season serves as a prequel.  After the release of the second film, Bardem will take over the role for the second season.  Verheiden’s resume is steeped in genre fare: Smallville, Battlestar Galactica, Heroes, Caprica.  More recently, Verheiden was co-executive producer on the alien invasion series Falling Skies, which premieres June 19 on TNT.

Read a synopsis for the Dark Tower series after the break.

Javier Bardem Close to a Deal to Star in THE DARK TOWER

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: April 6th, 2011 at 7:26 pm

We are going to track every damn step of Javier Bardem’s road to portray Roland Deschain in Universal’s adaptation of Stephen King’s Dark Tower series.  Under consideration.  Offered the role.  Producer Brian Grazer even created a new stage: “locked in psychologically“  (whatever that means).  Tonight, Deadline reports Bardem is “close to sealing his deal.”  Director Ron Howard is confident in his commitment, and has initiated meetings with other actors to build up a supporting cast around Bardem.

Universal is launching both a feature film trilogy and two seasons of a television based on The Dark Tower mythology, which introduces several layers of complexity to the negotiation.  The contract signs Bardem for the first film and one season of television with options on the two movie sequels to score his highest salary to date.  Hit the jump for a synopsis of the Dark Tower series.

Javier Bardem ‘Psychologically Confirmed’ to Star in Ron Howard’s THE DARK TOWER

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: March 1st, 2011 at 5:17 pm

Back in January, it was reported that actor Javier Bardem had been offered the lead role in Ron Howard’s ambitious three film/TV series adaptation of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower. While not much was heard after that, Howard’s producing partner Brian Grazer recently offered an update on Bardem’s involvement:

“Javier Bardem, that’s what we’re hoping. We’re in the process of trying to put that together. He’s locked in psychologically. He really wants to do it, so we’re absolutely rooting for him to do it.”

So it looks like Bardem’s keen to take the role on, and he’s currently in the negotiating phase. This could take a while, given that if he signs on it will likely be for three films and one “season” of the TV series. The adaptation is being spread out over three feature films, with two TV “seasons” bridging the gap between each film. In the interview with MTV, Grazer also revealed that the first story they’re exploring is The Gunslinger, which is the first book in King’s Dark Tower series. Hit the jump for more on The Dark Tower.

Javier Bardem Offered Lead in Ron Howard’s THE DARK TOWER

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 26th, 2011 at 6:24 pm

Well that was fast. Earlier today, we told you that Christian Bale was the current frontrunner to be cast as the lead in Ron Howard’s ambitious adaption of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower. Now, it’s being reported that Javier Bardem has officially been offered the lead role of gunslinger Roland Deschain in the film.  The part has been one of the most hotly sought after in Hollywood at the moment, with the shortlist of actors being considered for the part growing every day. The book series will be adapted into three films by screenwriter Akiva Goldsman (A Beautiful Mind), with a two-season TV series bridging the gaps between each film. Hit the jump for the details on how all of this will work, including how one of the TV seasons might be a prequel.

Is Christian Bale the Frontrunner to Play Roland Deschain in Ron Howard’s THE DARK TOWER?

by Jason Barr    Posted: January 26th, 2011 at 1:01 pm

Almost a month ago, we reported that Javier Bardem and Viggo Mortensen were the leading candidates to take on the starring role of Roland Deschain in Ron Howard’s The Dark Tower adaptation.  Today, we’re updating the list of candidates to include recent Golden Globe-winner (and current Oscar-nominee) Christian Bale.  Reports are filing in that Bale has not only entered the casting equation but that he is currently director Ron Howard’s choice for the lead role.

For more on the role of Deschain as well as updates regarding possible candidates for female character Susannah Dean, hit the jump.

Universal Considers Javier Bardem and Viggo Mortensen for Roland Deschain in THE DARK TOWER

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: December 30th, 2010 at 7:19 pm

By virtue of ambition, Universal’s undertaking to adapt Stephen King’s The Dark Tower novels ought to be fun to track through the development process.  Ron Howard is signed to direct the first film of a planned trilogy.  The intent is to fill the gap between each film with the season of  Dark Tower on television.

The Hollywood agencies are understandably doing everything they can to get their clients in a room with the producers of such a hot property.  The studio has reportedly narrowed down the list of actors to play Roland Deschain, the main character from the books.  At the moment Javier Bardem is the leading candidate; Viggo Mortensen is a “close second.”  More after the jump:

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