Lindelof confirms challenges on the Dark Tower

Joining J.J. Abrams latest comments regarding The Dark Tower, Damon Lindelof confirms that until Season 6 of LOST concludes, they will not seriously give a great deal of thought to King’s epic series.

In an interview on the MTV Movies Blog, Lindelof talks of his concerns in adapting the books and how it gives him “headaches thinking about changing anything.” He goes on to say that his “reverence for Stephen King is now getting in the way of what any good writer would do first when they’re adapting a book, which is take creative license in changing stuff”.

Two other interesting points to come from the MTV News interview was Lindelof’s mention that the studio behind the movie is to be Paramount Pictures, who are looking to franchise the movie; meaning sequels are assured — not that they really have much choice!

Slowly but surely the picture is coming in to focus; J.J. Abrams and Damon Lindelof are adapting Stephen King’s, The Dark Tower, for Paramount Pictures and filming is likely to begin in 2011.

7 responses

Soooo it isn’t going to happen then. That is a bummer. Talk about the waaay back burner.

Nahnia – July 11th, 2009
I’m sure it will happen, but probably not in the next 2-3 years. I don’t know yet what they plan to do (movie, serie, etc), but one thing is to be taken in account: whatever it is, it will probably be all available by 2019. So, if we got 7 movies, you can expect one per year from 2012 to 2019. I’m sure that King and the rest of the crew would like that everything ends on a ‘19, that would be awsome!

Dominic – July 30th, 2009
I agree! A release date of 1/9/19 or something like that would be awesome! I really think they are going to have to split some of the books, like the Harry Potter series has with Deathly Hallows. That still gives them 8 years for 8 movies, but not much in pre production time. Luckily there isn’t a whole lot that needs to be built if you think about it, at least for the first few movies. A western town, a dwellers hut, the waystation, tunnel interiors, the speaking ring…I can’t see any of that being very time consuming compared to building Troys gate (Troy) or making ring mail for a bazillion humans and orcs (LOTR). The rest is desert, mountian side and beach!

That should leave them plenty of time to get the Lobstrocities, Shardik, Blane and Lud looking perfect.

Nahnia – July 31st, 2009
i just hope that his use of creative license doesn’t interfere with the integrity of the characters and themes as the Lord of the Rings series did…like how in the book Aragorn uses that sphere to scare sauron which also sort of signified his greatness as deserved king, where as in the movie when he grabs it from pippen he faints

fart – September 26th, 2009
it better be good the story is so epic it would take six, 3 hour movies to even come close. i’d also like to see insomnia made into a movie

shawn – October 7th, 2009
roland. the entire thing depends on who they cast as roland - among other things of course - but without a solid player they’ve got no game.

obviously Clint is far too old which is a massive shame.

Viggo would be a great choice for roland though i’m certian he wouldn’t be willing to sign up for a seven movie franchise after LOTR and to avoid typecasting.

Christian Bale would have to be the best he’s ever been to tackle this role - and wouldn’t batman be getting in the way a little?

Mel Gibson. no chance.

That leaves me with my favourite choice for the role - Daniel Day Lewis. I doubt fantasy/sci-fi/adventure would interest him. this man would immerse himself in the role as he always does and i’m sure he would reinvent roland for us all..

Daniel – October 8th, 2009
I know all this info is way old and as far as this epic series ever being made into a movie in my lifetime is still up in the air (but I’m praying it will happen… So long as nothing is done without Kings approval first, Hollywood wouldn’t be able to ruin it. However…. This will have to start getting put into actual production soon, because King and all of us aren’t getting any younger and it will take a good amount of years to come out with enough movies to pack these epics into.) Any rate I’ve been reading all these old posts and recommendations on actors, some I kinda agree with—but not fully, still haven’t felt 100% about any, but this one caught my attention enough to respond= Daniel Day Lewis! Though I don’t feel he’s right for Roland in my mind (Nothing to do with his acting, he’s amazing! Just not the look I imagine while reading the books I guess..), however the first thing I thought is he would be PERFECT as Roland’s father, Steven Deschain for all scenes with younger Roland. From here on out reading these books I can’t help but image Daniel Day Lewis as Steven Deschain.

Benign_Design – August 6th, 2014