Ron Howard: latest contender for Dark Tower adaptation

Apr 30, 2010   By: Michael | #Film  #Ron Howard  #Rumors  

It was certainly disappointing when Lindelof announced he and Abrams were dropping out of the Dark Tower movie scene last November, so it is welcome news (if the rumor is to be believed) that director Ron Howard is stepping up to the challenge of adapting Stephen King’s epic to the big screen.

This latest development in the DT saga is being reported by the Heat Vision Blog, who tells us that Howard is teaming up with Brian Grazer and Akiva Goldsman to produce an initial Big Screen movie that would then lead on to a TV series. We could hazard a guess that if the television run became a huge successthen they’d wrap the whole thing up with another movie release.

We’ve had a lot of comments here on the DT Movie Blog that a TV series is the only way to do justice to the story. For any studio to attempt [potentially] seven big screen movies would be a phenomenal challenge, both logistically and financially, so this is certainly an interesting approach and one that could in the long run turn out to be the best option for an adaptation.

We’ve already had one director drop away from this project, so before we get too excited let’s wait for a more official statement.

29 responses

I am a filmmaker and two of the sites where job postings are put up for crew in films have “The Dark Tower” listed as “in development.” Stephen King is also named as a producer, which should give everyone some more hope.

While I do worry about Ron Howard’s ability to pull off three 3.5 hour violent R-rated epic films, Akiva Goldsman is excellent for the writing position. As a writer for “Fringe” and the writer of “I Am Legend,” I have faith that he will be able to pull off the adaptaion, although I do wish Damon agrees to assist.

In the mean time, check out my original Dark Tower trailer, made for about $200 back when JJ was the option-holder at: nstardproductions.com under MEDIA.

Sean McCoy – May 5th, 2010
So, now where can we go to start making casting recommendations like was done for HBO’s Game of Thrones? Benioff listened to the fans and the series has become the most anticipated in HBO history. You can’t go wrong if you listen to the fans of the books.

Sable – May 13th, 2010
We can only hope that this movie will be anything like a game of thrones is going to be. I do appreciate abrams practicing some humility and backing down b/c he felt he could not do the movie justice. i just want to see something happen with it.

Tet19 – May 16th, 2010
a studio turned 7 Harry Potter novels into 8 movies….

CWF – May 20th, 2010
There has been a lot of talk lately about Stephen Moyer, Bill from the True Blood series, being a good choice to play Roland…..

Jamie – May 24th, 2010
Personally, I’d love to see the story from wizard and glass (Susan’s story) as the initial movie. It is a great story, plenty of action and then the cast wouldn’t have to transition to a TV series and the story would actually be cronological. Just a thought for a cool way to pull this off :) Could even add all the manhood tests and Martin sections from The Gunslinger into it.

John – May 26th, 2010
I worry about the quality of Oy. I hope the quality is not as poor as the wolves in “The Day after tomorrow” because Oy is a main character. These guys have never done a movie that is as violent as the Dark Towers has in some parts. The fantasy part I think would be fine with them . I am also hoping that it is not turned into a pretty boy and pretty girl movie where all of the actors are portrayed as “sex pots” because in itself would ruin the movie.

Doreen – May 30th, 2010
I think that a TV series would definately be the best way to bring these books on screen. If they were to make seven movies…I would worry about how well the movies would follow the books. They would have to cut far too much out, and that would just ruin the story. I have been waiting forever for these to be turned into movies, but now I realize a TV series is the best way to go.

Tae – June 11th, 2010
This is a Travasty!!! Ron Howard needs to dtop…why do people belive he is competent. look at what he did to Angels and Deamons…that was the worst film adaptation that i have ever seen….and now this terrible idea to turnit into a TV series…for basic Cable???? what the hell… HBO Mini series at the very least…Please dont let Ron Howard make this Film…give it to the guy who Helmed The Myst and The green Mile…someone who will actually respect Kings work…who would do it justice..

Henry Wilson – June 16th, 2010
the guy that directed the mist is about to embark on an epic tv series on AMC known as “The Walking Dead”. If you dont know about it check it out ASAP. but hbo miniseries is the best way to tackle this series.

Tet19 – June 21st, 2010
Yeah, great, a TV Series, how nice notice…(ironic) I know how this is gona work… low budget, terrible actors, a huge distortion of the story, and if the series go bad, they will cancel it without finish… and probably will have something like 50 seasons. i’ll die before the end.

If goes this way, it sound better to let the work on the books

Rafael – July 2nd, 2010
if this goes to a TV series then it may well be cancelled half way through its not like the TV execs have faith in their progs (firefly etal ) why do one movie and ‘see what happens’ i want at least a 3x3 hr trilogy maybe even a 6x3 hour sextology :)

johnyy – July 8th, 2010
They should not do a series they should do a movie even if it has to be a trilogy so they can show all the good parts of the book if it becomes a series it will most likely be so it can be shown on regular tv channels which will be no good at all. I think Ron Howard will do Mr. King proud. It has to be a movie I hope they do not ruin it by making it into a tv show.

Christine – July 22nd, 2010
I think that a tv series is the worst thing they could possibly do! Tv series are never as good as they should be, Look at how the Dead Zone series is it’s awful! Look at the other extremely popular movies that have been made from books… Star Wars, and I hate to say it but Twilight and Harry Potter. Why can’t they make 6 movies out of this series. Yeah it will take time and money but it’s the only way to get the full effect of the story to make A tv series as said already will be done poorly and I think will completely ruin the books!

James – July 26th, 2010
I feel that the only way to do the Dark Tower justice is to treat it as a big budget film to ensure that there is no poor casting, cheap storyboarding that will only destroy the story, and also provide the money necessary to choose filming locations that would work well for the story. Honestly, I would be happy to see any progress at all but I would rather wait a little longer then end up watching something thrown together with a low budget and crap direction. I love the books to much.

Tina – August 9th, 2010
if they treat this series like hbo is treating “A Game of Thrones” it would be so much better as a mini series. If u do not believe me do a little research on “A Game of Thrones”. You will change your mind.

Tet19 – August 11th, 2010
i agree, i’d rather wait anther 19 years before a release of any motion picture or tv series and any other adaptation of the dark tower, before Stephen King allows who ever is has the rights at that time to release anything less than perfect, especially not less than what images he created in each readers, correction each gunslinger in Roland’s Ka-tet, minds!

tapping throat three tims)

Frank – August 11th, 2010
I don’t know. Big movie to TV doesn’t really seem like a great idea unless it’s maybe HBO that’ll be producing it.

Blck – August 12th, 2010
I still don’t understand why everyone assumes there would have to be 7 films. Let’s face it…the first book isn’t on the same level as the others…it’s still great, but it’s obviously different. The amazing flow of each book into the other would also help to consolidate the books into 5 long movies (2.5-3 hours each). Like this:

Move 1: Merge The Gunslinger and Drawing of the Three into one movie. As Roland walks across the beach, looking for the doors, flashback sequences of his trek across the desert for the man in black and their eventual palaver at the end. As a matter of fact, the scene with the man in black ovr the campfire at the end of book one would make a great ending for this first film.

Movie 2: Wastelands

Movie 3: Wizard and Glass could easily be merged with Wolves of the Calla. Since Wizard and Glass is nothing but one big flashback, the entire story could be summarized in some form of story Roland tells his group. let’s be honest…a lot of books lose a little something when translated to the big screen and I think the audience could miss out on large portions of Wizard and Glass without missing out on the story.

Movie 4: Song of Susannah…any flashback stuff that couldn’t be fit into the 3rd movie can be used here.

Movie 5: Dark Tower

Barry – August 18th, 2010
In terms of trying to meld DT4 into the movie series, I think that since Roland’s background is such an important theme in his life that causes his character to become what it is, that Wizard and Glass should be melded into most of the movies.

With respect to the transition of each book/movie, my interpretation would look like this:

Movie #1: DT1 + DT2 Movie #2: DT3 Movie #3: DT5 + DT6 Movie #4: DT7

Steve – August 29th, 2010
to the owner of this site my name is brandon im 17 and from new york ive been a fan of these books for a few years now and always wondered the fate of this sereies and i do believe that a good way to share it with everyone is a series but personally dont want to wait for new seasons to come out they should make a movie and do it justice by being probably the only movie known to stick to the book no stupid directors twists or shortening it may be a large task to do but it has been done before look at the ninth kingdom it was underground but still very profitable and a good movie thanks for your time.

brandon reyes – August 29th, 2010
i have a great and grand idea for the seven books. to me each of the books seems to have there own unique style and feel to them. that’s why i propose seven films by seven different flimmakers all made at the same time. 7 different actors playing roland susan eddie and jake. that way u wont run into the problem of having a young actor who would age playing jake. you take the 7 of the best directors working today in sci fi and drama and let them fly with the idea. id choose ron howard, jj abrahms, christopher nolan, m night shamalan, peter jackson Guillermo del toro, and to top it all off steven spielberg. can u imagine the publicity that would generate. you could release them 6 months apart it would be AMAZING!!!

Nate – August 30th, 2010
Hello there,

I have to agree partly with Steeve and Barry. They should clearly make 5 movies. I really like Barry’s idea to merge the first two books the way he explained it, and I think that Steeve is right when he says that Roland’s past should be part of all the movies since it’s so important.

I try to think about great series, and there’s not much coming to my mind. I mean, there’s a lot of good series I watch and I really enjoy, but for something as big as The Dark Tower, there should clearly be a couple movies involved. Would you have liked to watch Lord of the Ring as a tv series? I don’t think so. Harry Potter? The even made Narnia as a trilogy …

It might be a huge project requiring a lot of money, but they just have to crawl the web a bit to see the numerous forums, blogs, communities about The Dark Tower to realize the kind of mad money they can do out of a well produced film adaptation. I would personnally see all the movies, talk about it to about everyone I know, buy the bluerays… And I know for a fact that I won’t be alone to do so!

Dominic – August 31st, 2010
No way should they go the route of a TV series… No network would be willing to fund such a thing properly, because it’s too big a risk. Plus it also allows for the possibility of mid series cancellation. Do a 5-6 movie series. This could be a huge moneymaker for whatever company funds it. They never thought LOTR would be possible, but they did it. I just could not stand to watch another low budget (and by low budget I mean “made for TV”) adaptation of a great Stephen King masterpiece. The real challenge is reaching the audience that isn’t a normal fan of SK, especially when it’s not horror. The Green Mile and Shawshank are the only 2 SK works that I can think of that weren’t horror, but were still successful.

Dave So – September 8th, 2010
Casting suggestions: Man in black:Johnny Depp Walter:Mark Ruffalo Susannah:Zoe Saldana Roland:Viggo for sure. Eddie:James McAvoy(yes,perfect,he is sleazy at first,no one’s gonna’ like him unless it’s this type of casting..) Jake:Jayden Smith Oy:CGI,but the good kind.. Blaine:Kiefer Sutherland,or even Michael Douglas(I know totally from left field..) Let’s stay away from Sinise or others who’ve become attached to other SK characters Soundtrack:U2’s”End of the world”…maybe remastered by them(awesome)or redone by Muse(awesome also)”Bad Company” by Five Finger DP has to make it in also..

laney – September 29th, 2010
I think the Dark Tower books would be best served as a high quality anime series for HBO or Showtime who won’t fuck around with censorship and family values bullshit.

By the way, I think George Clooney would be a good pick for Roland, you know, if you couldn’t get a time machine and kidnap 1970s Clint Eastwood.

Also I think that Ed Norton would make a fantastic Eddie (not just because that’s already his name).

Paul – October 17th, 2010
The only way to go is a seven part movie. If you have followed the history of King’s book-to-movie adaptations, you would know that after Carrie he would not release any book for movie production without approving the director. So if Ron Howard is on board it is because Stephen wants him there.

john – October 23rd, 2010
Oh yeah, Laney, the man in black and Walter/Flagg are the same person. Unless you are confusing Walter with Marten.

john – October 23rd, 2010
Ron Howard is NOT the right director for Dark Tower. period.

I would be excited beyond words if it were someone who fit the story, but he doesn’t.

he is not the right person to direct this movie… and the way they are doing it is RETARDED.

I have read this series 3 times, and I love it beyond words.

this news, which I just came across, makes me sad and annoyed.

fck hollywood.

O.M.F.G. – January 17th, 2011