The Dark Tower Movie and TV Series Resurrected by Sony and MRC
Akiva Goldsman co-scripted and will also produce.
10 Apr 2015 By Jim Vejvoda
The long-gestating combination big and small screen adaptation of Stephen King's The Dark Tower saga has found new life thanks to Sony Pictures Entertainment and MRC. (MRC first became linked with the project back in summer 2012.)
Deadline reports that Sony and MRC have teamed to co-finance the hugely ambitious feature film and TV adaptation of King's fantasy magnum opus.
"The new script is primarily based on the first book in the series, The Gunslinger, and the relationship between Roland and Jake," according to Deadline. "The latest draft of the script is co-written by Akiva Goldsman [A Beautiful Mind, Batman & Robin, The Da Vinci Code] and Jeff Pinkner [The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Fringe and Lost]. It was totally reconceived by Goldsman and Pinkner from the version that had been previously developed and which took root first at Universal and later at Warner Bros. Goldsman is producing through his Weed Road with Imagine Entertainment’s Ron Howard, Brian Grazer and Erica Huggins."
Deadline adds that "Sony and MRC will go right out after filmmakers with this script, and put this on the fast track that hard-core fans of King’s book have long desired. Numerous stars including Javier Bardem and Russell Crowe have eyed the role of the gunslinger [of Roland Deschain], but that role won’t be filled until after the director is set."
“I’m excited that The Dark Tower is finally going to appear on the screen,” King said in a statement. “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.”
Added Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group chairman Tom Rothman: “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.”
Breaking Bad actor Aaron Paul revealed last year that he'd "just had a general sit down with Ron Howard" about playing Eddie Dean in the project.
"They're definitely planning on making it," Paul said at the time. "Their goal is to do three films, but also have a television element to it, which will be very interesting. From what I hear, Eddie Dean is a pretty epic, iconic character."
Time will tell is Paul will indeed end up playing Eddie Dean in the new Sony-MRC incarnation of the project.
http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/04...vie-and-tv-series-resurrected-by-sony-and-mrc
This and the Easy Rawlins mysteries are my favorite book series.
My mom used to read me parts of the dark tower when I was a kid. Can't wait
yesssssssssssssss!!!!
