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."

Production on 'The Dark Tower' pushed back to 2012

Production has been pushed back on the Universal's adaptation of Stephen King's "The Dark Tower" series until at least next year.

The 7th book was published in 2004.

According to Deadline, production was set to begin as early as this summer, but now that won't happen until February 2012.

It was reported last week the studio was questioning the ambitious project's budget was asking producers to trim it down.

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. Javier Bardem ("No Country for Old Men") has signed on to play Roland Deschain in the adaptation, produced by Ron Howard and Akiva Goldsman.

"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 plan, and with Comcast soon taking over the studio, perhaps they are getting cold feet. The past few weeks have been up and down for sure, first snagging its lead and then getting mired down in budget issues.

'The Dark Tower' production in budget trouble?

Digital Spy is reporting trouble in "The Dark Tower" camp, with pre-production staff being put on hiatus while Universal Pictures discusses the ambitious project's budget.

"The Dark Tower" spans seven novels.

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

Just two weeks ago it was announced Javier Bardem ("No Country for Old Men") had signed on to play Roland Deschain in the adaptation, produced by Ron Howard and Akiva Goldsman.

According to Digital Spy, all parties involved are in talks over how to lower the project's budget, although Universal is denying reports that it will be put into turnaround. The first film was set to open in theater on May 17, 2013, but regardless of the outcome of these talks, that date is now in serious doubt.

"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."

This was always a very ambitious proposition, combining films and televisions series in a way untested and untried. Perhaps with the initial success of HBO's "Game of Thrones," based on the sprawling novel by George R.R. Martin, sticking to television would be the correct route here as well.

As it stands now, this is a breaking story, and we'll have to wait and see how the dust settles.

Javier Bardem signs on to play Roland in 'The Dark Tower'

The man in black fled across the desert, and Javier Bardem followed.

Javier Bardem

Yes, after months of speculation, Bardem has officially signed on to play Roland Deschain in Ron Howard's massive adaptation of Stephen King's epic fantasy western, "The Dark Tower" series.

In September, Universal Pictures and NBC Universal Television announced King's seven novel series would be adapted into three movies, with a television miniseries in between each of the films. The New York Post's Page Six is reporting Bardem has only signed on for the first film and miniseries so far.

The first film is set to open in theater on May 17, 2013.

'The Gunslinger' was published in 1982.

"The Dark Tower" series began with the publishing of "The Gunslinger" in 1982. The book introduced Roland as he pursues the unnamed Man in Black, during which he meets a variety of strange characters, including a young boy named Jake who is seemingly from our world. From there, the series continues as Roland gathers his ka-tet, a group with a shared goal, and they travel ever forward in search of the fabled Dark Tower. The seventh novel was published in 2004, although elements of the series have permeated into King's other works and vice versa, such as "Hearts in Atlantis" and "The Talisman."

Bardem is an interesting choice for Roland. The actor has proven his talent and skill time and time again, but this is just one of those roles where nobody is going to feel perfect, at least until we get to see him on screen.

This is an unprecedented project, involving years of work to produce three films and two television series and make it all feel like a single narrative. Good luck to all involved.