Stephen King's The Dark Tower novels will be a film trilogy and TV series
Ron Howard will direct the first film and the first season of television, which will be written by Akiva Goldsman. Goldsman will produce the film through his Weed Road Pictures with Howard and Brian Grazer for Imagine Entertainment. Howard, Grazer and Goldsman will executive produce the television series for Universal Media Studios. Kerry Foster will executive produce the first film for Weed Road Pictures along with Todd Hallowell and Erica Huggins for Imagine Entertainment.
"I've been waiting for the right team to bring the characters and stories in these books to film and TV viewers around the world," said Stephen King. "Ron, Akiva, Brian along with Universal and NBC have a deep interest and passion for the The Dark Tower series and I know that will translate into an intriguing series of films and TV shows that respect the origins and the characters in The Dark Tower that fans have come to love."
The Dark Tower is Stephen King's opus of seven bestselling novels with, to date, more than 30 million copies sold in 40 countries. The novels incorporate themes from multiple genres including fantasy, science fiction, horror and adventure. After the series was completed, a prequel of comic books based on one of the characters was also published.
"Building a franchise home for The Dark Tower is an exciting opportunity for this studio, and we're thrilled that Stephen has entrusted us to bring his beloved novels to the big screen," said Fogelson.
"Stephen King is a brilliant storyteller who creates imaginary worlds that resonate with the broadest audiences across ages and demographics," said Gaspin. "We are thrilled to partner with our colleagues in the film division and Brian, Ron andAkiva to bring Stephen's vision to the largest audience possible through this innovative multi-platform collaboration."
Howard, Grazer and Goldsman are planning for the first film in the trilogy to be immediately followed by a television series that will bridge the second film. After the second film, the television series will pick up allowing viewers to explore the adventures of the protagonist as a young man as a bridge to the third film and beyond.
"We are excited to have found partners at Universal who understand and embrace our approach to King's remarkable epic," said Howard. "By using both the scope and scale of theatrical filmmaking and the intimacy of television we hope to more comprehensively do justice to the characters, themes and amazing sequences King has given us in The Dark Tower novels. It might be the challenge of a lifetime but clearly a thrilling one to take on and explore."
"The worlds of Stephen King's The Dark Tower series are richly detailed, inter-locking and deeply connected," said Goldsman. "By telling this story across media platforms and over multiple hours-and with a view to telling it completely-we have our best chance of translating Roland's quest to reach The Dark Tower onto screen. We are proceeding with tremendous excitement, fidelity to the source material and, quite frankly, no small amount of awe at this opportunity."
"King has created the most visually enthralling places and characters in The Dark Tower," said Grazer. "The synergy created across all the media divisions of our partners at NBC Universal to tell this remarkable story is ground-breaking and invigorating. This project will be one of the most exciting and challenging that I will have ever worked on and I am thrilled to be a part of it."
"The worlds of Stephen King's The Dark Tower series are richly detailed, inter-locking and deeply connected," said Goldsman. "By telling this story across media platforms and over multiple hours-and with a view to telling it completely-we have our best chance of translating Roland's quest to reach The Dark Tower onto screen. We are proceeding with tremendous excitement, fidelity to the source material and, quite frankly, no small amount of awe at this opportunity."
"King has created the most visually enthralling places and characters in The Dark Tower," said Grazer. "The synergy created across all the media divisions of our partners at NBC Universal to tell this remarkable story is ground-breaking and invigorating. This project will be one of the most exciting and challenging that I will have ever worked on and I am thrilled to be a part of it."
The Dark Tower is in development . The film is directed by Ron Howard.
Comments (40)
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Troyrig
It's on NBC, so it's sure to be cancelled prematurely and cause outrage among fans. It's their M.O.
3 years agoby @troyrigFlag
Josh
Actually, Tom Hanks could be a decent Father Callaghan
3 years agoby @shuabertFlag
Mutant
I just remembered, Hanks and Ron are friends. If Hanks shows up in the film, I'm walking
3 years agoby @zenderFlag
Shnoopbop
Ron Howard sucks. I'm so disappointed.
3 years agoby @shnoopbopFlag
RojoDiablo
Having read all the books but not the comics, I REALLY look forward to Howard and company making this series come alive on both the big screen and the small! Should be interesting to see how it turns out but I think they picked the right guys for the job.
3 years agoby @rojodiabloFlag
Mutant
Please don't ruin the books, I've only read the first one. I have the whole collection but I wish Terry Goodkinds books would be the same, films and TV. This series would be cool to see as well.
3 years agoby @zenderFlag
Titanictom
This should be awsome;Although I'm still reading the last remaining 3 books of the series...Will the movies incorparaite the non Dark tower books as well-example{Insomnia} and {Eye of the Dragon}?
3 years agoby @titanictomFlag
phatalphd
THIS just made my life, lol
im so stoked its not even funny. I hope it's good, but as long as it's not butchered I don't care. I just want some Roland and his Ka'tet on screen.
also...i'd hope the TV show goes on HBO or something. I don't think they could do it good on network TV.
3 years agoby @phatalphdFlag
the Narrator
I really, REALLY wanted Jackson, or Abrams or even Spielberg to do this. I just don't see Ron doing this, mostly because of his films lately... they've been dramatic, self conscious films. Not bad, but not necessarily what this series needs. But hey, he was chosen for a reason... right?
3 years agoby @narratorFlag
DoubleR0522
GREAT CHOICE OF DIRECTOR. RON HOWARD IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE DIRECTOR IN HOLLYWOOD
3 years agoby @doubler0522Flag
ZanyZap
@K-Man: A Beautiful Mind? Cinderella Man? Frost/Nixon (not the greatest, but a shot above decent)? Hell, even Angels & Demons provided quality direction.
3 years agoby @zanyzapFlag
Diaigma
You didn't like A Beautiful Mind, @K-Man? - That was an Oscar favorite, after all . . .
3 years agoby @diaigmaFlag
K-Man
You know, Ron Howard is a decent director, but he is also a director that hasn't really done anything for me in quite a long time. The last movie he did that I really liked was Apollo 13 and Ransom, which for those of you who cant remember....that was 1995 and 96! My all time favorite Ron Howard film, that I can say I freakin love, is Willow, which was 1988!
However, I firmly believe that Ron Howard can still pull off a truly good film when he really applies himself and considering this will be his first return to Fantasy since Willow, I've got to admit I'm a little excited to see what he can do with it!
Hope it turns out good.
3 years agoby @k-manFlag
Diaigma
Hey, I like the sound of this. You go, Ronny! :P
3 years agoby @diaigmaFlag
Mutant
RH should make Willow 2, 3
3 years agoby @zenderFlag
Mutant
He's better with family themed films, not hard R at all. The Devinci Code was horrible and the lead actor wasn't old enough
Viggo would be perfect
3 years agoby @zenderFlag
Craig Bosko
I've been waiting for this to be made, but after seeing how RH muddled up both The Davinci Code and Angels & Demons, I am fearful. Plus, my favorite part of the all the books is the Origin Story from Wizard and Glass. I hope that isn't the TV origin story they refer to, because it would make an amazing big screen film. And finally - I nominate Viggo for Roland.
3 years agoby @craig-boskoFlag
ed_wood
Now this is great news. If they really do this like they plan it will do the story justice. Please don't screw this up.
3 years agoby @ed-woodFlag
Dan
@Josh In agreement with that.
3 years agoby @dan1Flag
Josh
I'm on board with this idea, but I hope that the term "fidelity" to the source material isn't being used loosely. The idea of this as a network tv show doesn't sit well with me, because this is hard-R material. Part of what is so great about King's work is his grit. If they don't go with R-rated films and an HBO-style cable show, this is probably going to turn out like Peter Jackson's The Lovely Bones.
3 years agoby @shuabertFlag
Dan
It'd be sweet like 3-4 years from now, having the 2 seasons and 3 movies on Blu Ray sitting on my shelf, if its as awesome as it sounds.
3 years agoby @dan1Flag
ejk1
Unique idea. Hopefully, it will be beautifully executed.
3 years agoby @ejk1Flag
The Soylent Green Monkey
I really hope they do this right. :|
3 years agoby @soylentgreen2Flag
Dan
I dunno, he just seems like the gunslinger type to me.
3 years agoby @dan1Flag
Daveactor7
why josh holloway? lol no offense but hes not right for it
3 years agoby @daveactor7Flag
Dan
I nominate Josh Holloway.
3 years agoby @dan1Flag
Bane5000
Now the big question...Who should play the role of Roland Deschain, the gunslinger...?
3 years agoby @bane5000Flag
Dan
I love the idea their going for. A movie, a season of show, another movie, another season of show, and the 3rd movie. To cover all of it. Good idea. This way they don't have to cut corners, and do the series justice. Me like.
3 years agoby @dan1Flag
ZanyZap
If King's on board, I'm on board. I simply skimmed the article, but are they implying a tv-show AND a movie?
3 years agoby @zanyzapFlag
The Dark Knight
we got some sh*t now!
3 years agoby @thedarkknight23Flag