Last Friday we ran a story about Universal possibly passing on the massive undertaking that is THE DARK TOWER. As a multi-media platform, the studio deemed the project too costly, despite the A-list talent attached. Word was Universal may have been forced to pass on the mega-project.
But that doesn’t seem to be the case at this time. Deadline now claims Universal has simply pushed the start date back on THE DARK TOWER to February of next year. It was originally slated to begin production this summer.
As you know, THE DARK TOWER is set to be appropriated over three feature films and two limited run TV series. Universal will do their best to reduce the budget between now and February, though Ron Howard is still in line to direct the epic Stephen King property. Javier Bardem is set to star as the iconic gun-slinger Roland Deschain.
The only hold up then is this. Universal has its own ticking clock on the property, and if they don’t green-light the project by July, the rights revert back to King and the filmmakers. My guess is they’ll get it done in time, as its said to be one of the most ambitious Hollywood endeavors since Peter Jackson’s LORD OF THE RINGS saga. In other words, there’s a lot to lose but so much more to gain.
We’ll keep you in the loop…
Bardem’s lady friend, Penelope Cruz!