It’s been a rocky road to existence for the ambitious adaptation of Stephen King’s cult epic The Dark Tower. In recent news, Warner Bros had decided to pass on the film, making them the second big studio to drop the project after Universal let it go initially.
The film was set to be produced and directed by Ron Howard through his company Imagine Entertainment, with a script by Akiva Goldsman. Javier Bardem was lined up to play lead Roland Deschain before dropping out, though there were reports that Russell Crowe was interested in the part. It is planned as a trilogy of movies, with a TV series (possibly by HBO though unlikely as they are owned by Warner) to take place between the films.
Not all is bleak in the world moved on though, as Deadline have reported that Media Rights Capital is now in “serious talk” with Imagine Entertainment about financing the project. MRC are the company that backed Seth MacFarlane’s hit Ted and are financing the much anticipated Elysium, directed by Neill Blomkamf and starring Matt Damon. Hopefully these two titles will provide enough capital to successfully see The Dark Tower hit the big screen.
MRC have a distribution agreement with Universal Studios, the company who originally developed the adaptation before dropping it, so it’s uncertain whether they would be involved if the deal is made. I’m sure there will be more news to come shortly so check back here!
Source: Deadline
S#*! TALKING CENTRAL