A Trip to 'The Dark Tower' Still Possible

Fans who were mourning the premature death of Brian Grazer and Ron Howard's epic adaptation of "The Dark Tower" need not give up all hope. It seems both producers intend to find a way to get the three movies and TV series made somehow. The very idea of having a story bleed over into three movies and a TV series is nearly impossible to even fathom.

The premise of "The Dark Tower" series revolves around "Roland, the last gunslinger, in a world where time has moved on. [He] pursues his nemesis, The Man in Black, across a desert. Roland's ultimate goal is the Dark Tower, the nexus of all universes. This mysterious icon's power is failing, threatening everything in existence." The whole story stretched across seven books.

Many fans were very disappointed when it was announced last month that Universal Pictures had pulled the plug on "The Dark Tower" project. It is completely understandable how the price tag Grazer and Howard must have attached to the whole concept could scare any studio away. It had to have been an astronomical number.

Grazer told the New York Post that Howard's plan was to keep charging forward and "try to get outside financing to make it, and distribute it through a major [studio]." They'll be looking into other networks to release the TV series. He also said they would be looking into Netflix as a possibility as well. I think having "The Dark Tower" show on a regular network station will put too many restrictions on an adaptation of the books. I would think one of the cable channels with fewer restrictions would be a better fit.

Unfortunately, Grazer also gave fans some bad news. It's going to be a while before anything would happen with the adaptation. Howard is "going to be working on the Formula One racing movie 'Rush' about Niki Lauda, so the soonest we could do it would be June next year," Grazer said.

Actor Javier Bardem is still committed to playing lead gunslinger Roland Deschain. It will be a miracle if he ends up taking the role by the time this is all finished. Will he even be available to take the part by the time it's ready to go into production?

Making "The Dark Tower" the way Howard and Grazer want to do it seems to be a pipe dream that will never become realized. I can see a studio green lighting a first movie with an option to do another one if it makes enough money. Things are usually done that way in Hollywood. If Howard and Grazer want a firm commitment and money upfront or something crazy like that, I just can't see it happening.

For more articles by Eric Shirey, check out:

Interview with 'Final Destination 5' Actor Miles Fisher
Interview with 'The Walking Dead' Artist Charlie Adlard
Screenwriter Todd Farmer Talks 'Halloween 3-D' and New 'Hellraiser'

Heading to the movies? Get an instant mobile coupon to use at select theaters for free popcorn!