The dust is still settling from the collapse of Ron Howard's planned adaptation of Stephen King's "Dark Tower" series, so perhaps it's not surprising there are decidedly mixed signals coming from the wreckage.
Universal Pictures passed on the ambitious project to turn Stephen King's "Dark Tower" series in a trio of films bridges by two television mini-series. Deadline reported Monday that the Universal would only commit to the first film after receiving scripts from Akiva Goldsman ("I Am Legend," "A Beautiful Mind") for the film and television series. This project's backers were not satisfied with the decision and refused to sign on.
King spoke briefly with Entertainment Weekly about the setback, saying he wasn't surprised by the decision but was still hopeful the project can still be made.
“I’m sorry Universal passed, but not really surprised,” he told EW in an email. “As a rule, they’ve been about smaller and less risky pix; maybe they feel it would be better to stick with those fast and furious racing boys. I bear them no ill will, and trust Ron Howard to get Roland and his friends before the camera somewhere else. He’s very committed to the project.”
Despite King's optimism, Deadline reported Tuesday that Howard will be directing an adaptation of Jon Krakauer's "Under the Banner of Heaven" with a script from Dustin Lance Black ("Milk," "J. Edgar"). According to publisher Random House, the nonfiction book follows "an appalling double murder committed by two Mormon Fundamentalist brothers, Ron and Dan Lafferty, who insist they received a revelation from God commanding them to kill their blameless victims."
According to Deadline's reports, Warner Bros., which is backing "Under the Banner of Heaven," is a possible partner to revive the "Dark Tower" project, so this could be a double-edged sword, with Howard strengthening his partnership with the studio but also filling up his slate.
As I said Monday, Warner Bros. is sure to be looking for a new franchise now that "Harry Potter" is done, even if they target markets would be decidedly different.
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| Stephen King |
King spoke briefly with Entertainment Weekly about the setback, saying he wasn't surprised by the decision but was still hopeful the project can still be made.
“I’m sorry Universal passed, but not really surprised,” he told EW in an email. “As a rule, they’ve been about smaller and less risky pix; maybe they feel it would be better to stick with those fast and furious racing boys. I bear them no ill will, and trust Ron Howard to get Roland and his friends before the camera somewhere else. He’s very committed to the project.”
 |
| Ron Howard |
According to Deadline's reports, Warner Bros., which is backing "Under the Banner of Heaven," is a possible partner to revive the "Dark Tower" project, so this could be a double-edged sword, with Howard strengthening his partnership with the studio but also filling up his slate.
As I said Monday, Warner Bros. is sure to be looking for a new franchise now that "Harry Potter" is done, even if they target markets would be decidedly different.
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