Sony adapting Dan Brown's 'Inferno' for a December 2015 release

Author Dan Brown's latest novel, "Inferno," the fourth to feature professor Robert Langdon, is set for adaptation by Sony, which is targeting a Dec. 18, 2015, release date.

The novel was released in May.

According to Deadline, Ron Howard, who directed both "The Da Vinci Code" and "Angels & Demons," based on the first two novels in the series, as well as Tom Hanks, who played Langdon in both films, are set to return.

Howard had announced he would not direct the adaptation of Brown's third novel, "The Lost Symbol," and Mark Romanek ("One Hour Photo") had been pegged to helm the project.

Now it appears "The Lost Symbol" is being skipped altogether with "Inferno" next up for adaptation.

"Inferno," which was released in May, is described as follows on Brown's official website:

In the heart of Italy, Harvard professor of symbology Robert Langdon is drawn into a harrowing world centered on one of history’s most enduring and mysterious literary masterpieces...Dante’s Inferno.

Against this backdrop, Langdon battles a chilling adversary and grapples with an ingenious riddle that pulls him into a landscape of classic art, secret passageways, and futuristic science. Drawing from Dante’s dark epic poem, Langdon races to find answers and decide whom to trust...before the world is irrevocably altered. 

"The Da Vinci Code," released in 2006, grossed $758 million worldwide, while "Angels & Demons," released three years later, earned $485 million.

Ron Howard shopping 'The Dark Tower' to find new backers

The journey to Stephen King's "The Dark Tower" maybe not be over quite yet, but Universal Picture's decision not to move forward with ambitious project has delayed the adaptation by at least a year.

The project may not be dead after all.

Producer Brian Grazer spoke with The New York Post's Page Six, saying Ron Howard is now "trying to get outside financing to make it, and distribute it through a major [studio]."

Howard and Grazer had planned their adaptation of King's seven-novel series as three movies combined with a pair of television series to tell the story of Roland Deschain's journey to the titular tower. At one point, Javier Bardem ("No Country for Old Men") was in talks to star as Roland.

In July, however, Universal passed on the project, willing only to commit to the first film after receiving scripts from Akiva Goldsman ("I Am Legend," "A Beautiful Mind") for the film and television series. This wasn't good enough for Howard and Glazer and the deal fell through.

According to Page Six, Glazer said they plan to still pursue a television component to the adaptation, but no longer with Universal's NBC. Instead they are looking to other networks or perhaps Netflix to bring "The Dark Tower" to the screen.

The delay, however, means Ron is moving forward with "Rush," about Formula One racer Niki Lauda, and Grazer is working on "J. Edgar," which stars Leonardo DiCaprio.

"The soonest we could do ["The Dark Tower"] would be June next year," Grazer told Page Six.

Mixed signals following collapse of 'Dark Tower' project

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.

Stephen King

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.”

Ron Howard

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.

Universal passes on 'The Dark Tower' mega project

Universal Pictures has passed on the ambitious project to turn Stephen King's "Dark Tower" series in a trio of films bridges by two television mini-series.

The 7th book was published in 2004.

Deadline is reporting that the studio 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.

Ron Howard ("A Beautiful Mind") was set to direct at least the first film with Brian Grazer, Goldsman and King producing. Additionally, Javier Bardem ("No Country for Old Men") was in talks to play Roland Deschain.

In May, production was pushed back on the adaptation until at least next year, one week after it was reported last week the studio was questioning the ambitious project's budget.

In September, Universal and NBC Universal Television announced the seven-novel series would be adapted into three movies, with a television miniseries in between each of the films.

"The Dark Tower" series began with the "The Gunslinger" in 1982. The seventh novel was published in 2004, with elements of the series permeating into King's other works and vice versa, such as "Hearts in Atlantis" and "Salem's Lot."

There's no denying this was an ambitious project, especially considering the potential for an R-rating due to the source material. According to Deadline's report, Howard and company may approach Warner Bros. with the project now that Universal has passed on it. With the "Harry Potter" franchise at an end, they may be willing to take a chance on a new franchise. After this past weekend box office grosses, they should have some extra money lying around.

Ron Howard gives 'Dark Tower' update

The rumors have been thick around the delayed production of "The Dark Tower," an ambitious project to adapt Stephen King's epic novel series into a film/television hybrid.

Ron Howard

The news broke earlier this month that the start date has been pushed back from this fall to next year, and producer Ron Howard spoke with Entertainment Weekly about the latest.

"We had to pull back to our September start date due to budget delays and ongoing story development and logistical issues, but 'Dark Tower' is moving forward," Howard said. "“We’re thinking of starting in early spring now."

He went on to say that despite reports to the contrary, actor Javier Bardem ("No Country for Old Men") has not signed onto the project to play Roland Deschain.

"I can’t really say who’ll be in it yet, but Javier Bardem has shown a great deal of interest," Howard told Entertainment Weekly. "We’ll know by the end of the summer, when our flashing green light goes solid."