Ron Howard, Brian Grazer, Akiva Goldsman have been trying for years to build an adaptation of Stephen King’s epic Dark Tower series. But their ambitious, expensive plans to craft a franchise that encompasses linked movies and TV shows has been bought then scrapped by the likes of Universal, Warner Bros. and HBO. Now, though, it looks like Sony is taking on the task alongside Media Rights Capital{
With Howard, Grazer, Goldsman and Eric Huggins producing, the project appears to be shaping up in scaled-down form, with the current plan aimed at making a movie and a complementary TV series. Goldsman and Jeff Pinkner have written the first script to that effect, totally reconceiving the adaptation of King’s adventures starring Roland Deschain, part of a knight-like order of gunslingers in a quest to save civilisation.
“There are few projects out there that compare with the scope, vision, complex characters and fully drawn world that Stephen King has created with The Dark Tower,” says new Sony chairman Tom Rothman. “I am a giant fan. And, as Stephen himself does, we love the direction that Akiva and Jeff have taken. This is a great opportunity for a director to put his or her stamp on a cool global franchise."
King, who is involved as a consultant, is also happy things are moving again. “I’m excited that The Dark Tower is finally going to appear on the screen. Those who have travelled with Roland and his friends in their search for the Dark Tower are going to have their long-held hopes fully realised. This is a brilliant and creative approach to my books."
The next step for Howard and co. is to find a director, when they’re not busy crossing their fingers, finding four-leafed clovers and buying horseshoes for luck.