In a move that’s particularly apt if you’ve read the series, development on Stephen King’s supernatural western-themed epic ‘The Dark Tower’ series has started again, but with some minor changes.
For those unfamiliar with the series, the story follows Roland Deschain, the last Gunslinger of Gilead – essentially a knight with a six-shooter – as he pursues his enemy The Man in Black, responsible for the destruction of his homeland; both heading towards the fabled Dark Tower. Crossing over into our world, and drawing on and from many of the other stories that King has created over the years, it’s a truly epic journey of good vs evil woven with threads of fantasy, science fiction, horror and the supernatural. If you’re a fan of King’s work reading this series after ‘The Stand’, ‘It’, ‘The Eyes of The Dragon’ or ‘Salem’s Lot’ (to name but a few) will reveal just how interconnected King’s world really is.
In 2013 Universal, with Ron Howard on board, failed to get their ambitious movie trilogy with a linked TV series to work due to its high budget requirements, and Warner Bros balked for the same reason. Now THR are reporting that Sony Pictures and MRC Studios are teaming up to co-finance the project with long-time proponents (for nearly a decade now) Ron Howard, Akiva Goldsman, Brian Grazer and Erica Huggins producing. Goldsman and Jeff Pinker have co-written a new script based on the first novel in the eight book series ‘The Gunslinger’ and a new director is being sought.
Sony Pictures chairman Tom Rothman said when announcing the deal:
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. 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.
Author Stephen King, who’s always been involved in the various adaptions over the years, said:
I’m excited that The Dark Tower is finally going to appear on the screen. Those who have traveled with Roland and his friends in their search for the Dark Tower are going to have their long-held hopes fully realized. This is a brilliant and creative approach to my books.
It looks like all roads lead to The Dark Tower after all, I hope we get there this time.
Last Updated: April 13, 2015
