Deadline brings word Javier Bardem is close to locking a massive deal to star as Roland Deschain in the filmed adaptation of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower. Not only does this include a three-picture deal, but also a limited run TV series in between each film with the first feature set to hit theaters on May 17, 2013.
Bardem has been considered the front-runner for some time after names such as Viggo Mortensen, Daniel Craig, Hugh Jackman and Jon Hamm were among those considered early on. But according to Deadline it will be Bardem to don the spurs of the gunslinger as Howard has reportedly begun meeting with other actors to cast the supporting roles around Bardem.
The film and TV series centers on Roland Deschain’s hunt for the Dark Tower in a fantastical world where Deschain stands as the last living member of a knightly order of gunslingers. Throughout the course of the series Roland becomes humanity’s last hope to save civilization. I have read the series and the mere thought of it is a massive under taking which is why it stands good reason that I’ve been reporting on it forever.
For those curious as to how the story will play out as the seven films are essentially turned into five separate pieces, three being feature films and the other two being the two TV installments in-between. An interesting note in the Deadline report is that the TV program that runs between the second and third films will be a prequel. Unless I am mixing up what I remember about the series (it’s been a long time since I read it), it sounds like that means the TV mini-series between movies two and three will likely encapsulate “Wizard and Glass”, the fourth book in the book series.
Akiva Goldsman (I Am Legend) scripted the first film and the initial TV component. Goldsman describes it as “an alternate Americana, one part post-apocalyptic, one part Sergio Leone.”
Thoughts?
