'The Dark Tower' project gets scrapped
July 19th, 2011
02:33 PM ET

'The Dark Tower' project gets scrapped

"The Dark Tower" can't seem to catch a break.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Universal has pulled the plug on the planned Ron Howard-directed project which would have been a TV series and three-movie adaptation of the Stephen King fantasy Western.

As the story notes, it's the second time the high profile deal has been scrapped, as JJ Abrams and his production company also made an attempt to bring it to the screen.

THR reports that the Howard-helmed deal fell apart because the studio "had a July 15 deadline to commit to the movies or not. All the creatives have been told that the studio couldn't make the financials work."


soundoff (49 Responses)
  1. kbmulder

    I just finished the entire audiobook series of The Dark Tower. It is by far, the BEST series of books I have ever read and truly Stephen King's masterpiece. His writing is at his best. This NEEDS to be made into a movie/tv series. Long days and pleasant nights are still to come for this great series.

    July 28, 2011 at 7:53 pm | Report abuse |
  2. JB

    Did anyone notice the news came out on the 19th? (Happens to be my birthday as well).......weird

    July 28, 2011 at 5:54 pm | Report abuse |
  3. b

    Anyone got money? Apparently not even Hollywood does! Cut the budget for actor/actresses pay, and you might actually get a project off the ground...

    July 20, 2011 at 11:59 pm | Report abuse |
  4. herojig

    The world has moved on...there are no Gunslingers in Hollywood brave enough to back a good story. Instead, we get Captain America in 3 parts. It's another sad day for the audiences of midworld.

    July 20, 2011 at 8:48 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Sugar

    It will re-surface in a year or two – without Ron Howard being involved.

    Just sayin'

    July 20, 2011 at 4:11 pm | Report abuse |
  6. Shirley

    Bummer!!! I love Stephan King and all too often his books are made into mediocre movies, with Ron Howard as director it may have been a really good film. I hope they reconsider later.

    July 20, 2011 at 2:48 pm | Report abuse |
  7. Shel

    If there ever was a Stephen King that MUST be made into a movie....it's Under the Dome!!!

    July 20, 2011 at 1:56 pm | Report abuse |
  8. Debbie

    Also, lobstrosity is one of the cleverest made-up words I ever heard. It's so descriptive without even needing to see a picture.

    Blaine the train and Patty? I hate Thomas the Train because he reminds me of Blaine.

    July 20, 2011 at 1:40 pm | Report abuse |
  9. Debbie

    I love the Dark Tower books.

    I think Keifer Sutherland would make a good Roland – remember, Roland had icy blue eyes. I'm guessing Viggo is brown eyed (however, contacts would change that.)

    I'm also volunteering to let my dog, Pip, play Oy. Pip doesn't look like a weasel but he's every bit as the Oy charcter in the stories.

    I'm just thrilled the 5th Geroge R.R. Marting book is out – Dance with the Dragons. I just started it, and have called off sick to stay home and read.

    I never thought I was a nerd, but I guess I am?

    July 20, 2011 at 1:39 pm | Report abuse |
    • herojig

      No, ur not a nerd...just someone who likes a good read. Not many of us left...apparently.

      July 20, 2011 at 8:51 pm | Report abuse |
  10. DaveB

    Very dissappointing. I truly would have loved to see this on TV or big screen. Maybe someone else will pony up. I agree that Viggo should play Roland.

    July 20, 2011 at 12:33 pm | Report abuse |
  11. Anita Johnson

    why do they find a real job and leave all of us alone, the Kardasian sistere are useless women, Paris needs a real job.

    July 20, 2011 at 11:54 am | Report abuse |
  12. Brian

    Sounds very much like the series Firefly to me. I remember when the movie Serenity came out and it didn't do very well. I think the movie producers are seeing the same thing... different auther.

    July 20, 2011 at 11:24 am | Report abuse |
  13. MikeyC

    NOOOOOOO I WANT OY!!!!!! THANKSA

    July 20, 2011 at 11:09 am | Report abuse |
  14. heywood

    God god, what happend to Opie? Google Harry and the Hendersons and tell me there isn't a strong resemblence.

    July 20, 2011 at 11:06 am | Report abuse |
    • Ken

      HAHAHAH....what happened to Opie's face? Could somebody please tell me what happened?? lol

      July 20, 2011 at 2:31 pm | Report abuse |
  15. Mike

    So let's just make ANOTHER version of The Stand instead! CRAP!

    July 20, 2011 at 6:33 am | Report abuse |
  16. @mejazzbo

    I understand what you were saying and I agree. That other person needs to STFU.

    July 19, 2011 at 11:31 pm | Report abuse |
  17. mejazzbo

    Too bad. When Opie touches something it usually turns to gold. This deal will come around again.

    July 19, 2011 at 10:14 pm | Report abuse |
  18. Steve

    All things serve the beam!

    July 19, 2011 at 10:13 pm | Report abuse |
  19. Steve

    This news is really a shame! The whole Dark Tower series is one of the best stories that I've ever read. I've read all of the books in the series probably 2 or 3 times over the years, when I couldn't find anything elsebetter to read. It would've really been neat to see how they handled Oy the Billy-Bumbler, and Jake, Eddie Dean and Susannah.

    July 19, 2011 at 10:11 pm | Report abuse |
  20. nerp

    Kingdom Hospital.

    July 19, 2011 at 10:08 pm | Report abuse |
  21. alecia

    Dave Im such a Karl Urban fan I even watched Doom! He was great as Bones in Star Trek!

    July 19, 2011 at 7:47 pm | Report abuse |
  22. Lisa

    Viggo Mortensen as Roland

    July 19, 2011 at 7:46 pm | Report abuse |
  23. Ditda

    Josh Holloway as Roland

    July 19, 2011 at 6:55 pm | Report abuse |
  24. arch

    This is one man who really needs to get a hair transplant. He isn't that old, but because of his hair loss and that idiotic looking growth on his face he looks about 10 to 15 yrs older than his actual age. He's turned out to be a pretty good director. Money isn't an issue for him so this is one time this sort of change would be welcomed and helpful.

    July 19, 2011 at 6:19 pm | Report abuse |
    • mejazzbo

      He isn't IN movies. He MAKES movies. Vanity is not a requirement for being behind the camera. I suggest you go out in the real world, try to make a friend or two. Living in Grandma's basement with an umbilical to a hard drive warps one's perspective on people.

      July 19, 2011 at 10:20 pm | Report abuse |
  25. Lina

    No Viggo Mortensen for Roland? He would be so cool, too!

    July 19, 2011 at 5:31 pm | Report abuse |
    • dave

      Good idea. Strider as Roland... cool.
      Dunno where they got Javier (again... I like him, but NOT as Roland!!!) Maybe as Walter...

      July 19, 2011 at 5:33 pm | Report abuse |
    • Lina

      Javier would rule as Walter! But yeah, I don't see him as Roland, at all, I agree.

      July 19, 2011 at 5:43 pm | Report abuse |
  26. alecia

    Karl Urban would make a good Roland. He broods very well.

    July 19, 2011 at 5:28 pm | Report abuse |
    • dave

      I wouldn't complain. Eomer as Roland... cool. What about Clive Owen? (big fan of KUrban, eh?)

      July 19, 2011 at 5:31 pm | Report abuse |
  27. dave

    When they do it, Guy Pearce as Roland instead of Javier (I like Javier, but NOT as Roland)!!!!

    July 19, 2011 at 5:20 pm | Report abuse |
  28. SmarterthanU

    HBO to the rescue

    July 19, 2011 at 5:05 pm | Report abuse |
  29. tacojoe

    I agree. Should have done Green Acres. It woulda been a money maker. Could have cast Adam Sandler and Lindsay Lohan. just sayin.

    July 19, 2011 at 4:48 pm | Report abuse |
  30. Lina

    Nooooooooooo..... This could have been their masterpiece!!!!! Ugh, so what, instead do that stupid Snow White movie with Kristen-bite-her-lip-anxiously-Stewart? Brilliant move, Universal!

    July 19, 2011 at 4:33 pm | Report abuse |
    • yup

      Oh the things I'd do with Kristen while she was biting her lip... probably illegal in most states. SO CUTE!

      July 19, 2011 at 4:49 pm | Report abuse |
    • Bobba Fett

      What yup, make her pregnant over and over with wolverine twins?

      July 20, 2011 at 11:43 am | Report abuse |
  31. tacojoe

    They need to make a 3D movie about the old show GREEN ACRES. It would rule! With Arnold ZIffle the educated pig and Mr and Mrs Douglas and ED and Mr Hainey the travelling salesman. It would be a summertime blockbuster and make a mint !

    July 19, 2011 at 4:26 pm | Report abuse |
  32. Dubwise

    WHY????? These books are GREAT and would be well worth it for any investor. I can see it being hard to translate a lot of the internal dialogue to movie format, but I'm sure it could be done, and done well. Also, make "The Talisman" into a movie while you're at it.

    July 19, 2011 at 3:36 pm | Report abuse |
    • Playjojo

      After the Stand, that's my favorite. They would make terrific movies if they held by the books!

      July 20, 2011 at 12:20 pm | Report abuse |
  33. alecia

    Heres an idea Universal! JJ Abrams and Ron Howard! Lets see THAT not make the money back!

    July 19, 2011 at 2:51 pm | Report abuse |
  34. Arthur Fonzarelli

    Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!

    July 19, 2011 at 2:50 pm | Report abuse |

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