10 days ago it was reported that Universal had granted their planned multi-format t.v. & film adaptation of
Stephen Kings multi-genre book series
The Dark Tower something of a brief stay of execution, a newly appointed exec delaying the start date on the first movie from this September to Spring 2012. The reason being the new CEO could give director/producer
Ron Howard and writer/producer
Akiva Goldsman some time to make the script as perfect as it can be and significantly reduce the budget to convince Universal that they can not only get their money back on the expensive endeavor but can also expect to obtain a profit. Some corners suggest it may just be delaying the inevitable and Howard/Goldsman may not have any chance in hell of convincing Universal to go ahead with the project as is, but for now official word is that the duo have until the end of the summer to obtain a solid green light from the flashing one they have now. Howard spoke openly to
EW recently about the project and for the first time mentioned that A-lister
Javier Bardem's commitment might now be in danger;
We had to pull back to our September start date due to budget delays and ongoing story development and logistical issues, but Dark Tower is moving forward Were thinking of starting in early spring now. I cant really say wholl be in it yet, but Javier Bardem has shown a great deal of interest. Well know by the end of the summer, when our flashing green light goes solid.
'Show a great deal of interest' is of course a million miles away from him officially signing on
as reported previously but then all bets were off when the project was delayed and I'm sure Bardem is now a little less certain over how good an idea it is for him to stay committed to the project that Universal may have lost complete faith in. No official word yet on the May 17th, 2013 date previously set for The Dark Tower Part 1: The Gunslinger but I imagine that must be in serious doubt now.