Back in April, we wrote about the possibility of Ron Howard, Brian Grazer and Akiva Goldsman bringing us an unprecedented multi-platform telling of Stephen King’s DARK TOWER series. Now, according to Deadline.com, it’s been made official: Ron Howard has committed to direct the initial feature film; additionally, he and his partners will work on the first season of the TV series that will follow in close proximity.
Pretty insane. And because it’s almost too complex and bizarre (as well as awesome) to describe, I’ll just let the Deadline folks tell it:
The plan is to start with the feature film, and then create a bridge to the second feature with a season of TV episodes. That means the feature cast—and the big star who’ll play [lead character] Roland Deschain—also has to appear in the TV series before returning to the second film. After that sequel is done, the TV series picks up again, this time focusing on Deschain as a young gunslinger. Those storylines will be informed by a prequel comic book series that King was heavily involved in plotting. The third film would pick up the mature Deshain as he completes his journey. They will benefit from being able to use the same sets cast and crew for the movie and TV, which could help contain costs on what will be a financially ambitious undertaking.
Akiva Goldsman, who is charged with the monumental task of scripting all of this, had the following to say: “We will certainly be looking to maximize both creative and fiscal opportunities by creating one enterprise that encompasses TV and movies. Some of the shooting will likely encompass both platforms, and that has never been done before. It’s thrilling, we feel like kids in a candy story.”
The plan is to begin almost immediately; Howard is finishing up the romantic comedy THE DILEMMA (which comes out in January), and then he and the rest of his crew will get cracking on this tough nut. I’m all too curious to follow this – what’s sure to be a long, convoluted and hopefully fulfilling journey.
Jennifer Connelly is in Howard’s THE DILEMMA
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