Back in early 2007 one of the possible projects being touted as JJ Abrams next directorial efforts was an adaptation of Stephen King’s "Dark Tower" series. At the time Abrams and fellow Star Trek producer Damon Lindelof confirmed they were working with King on an adaptation. However, now Abrams has stated that this big project still isn’t something imminent.
No Abrams/Lindelof Tower anytime soon
News of Abrams adaptation of "The Dark Tower" sci-fi western series from Stephen King first came up back when it was still a question mark as to whether Abrams would be directing what became Star Trek (2009). It was suggested that Abrams would possibly direct The Dark Tower instead, but later it was only confirmed that he and Damon Lindelof were working on the project. Both Abrams and Lindelof have spoken about the project in the last two and half years, and so it was one of those possible next projects which could have pushed the next Star Trek movie even further into the future, but in a new interview with MTV, Abrams stated:
The ‘Dark Tower’ thing is tricky. It’s such an important piece of writing. The truth is that Damon and I are not looking at that right now.
These comments back up a statement from Damon Lindelof in a recent interview, who stated:
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a huger fan of The Dark Tower than me, but that’s probably the reason that I shouldn’t be the one to adapt it. After working six years on Lost, the last thing I want to do is spend the next seven years adapting one of my favorite books of all time. I’m such a massive Stephen King fan that I’m terrified of screwing it up.
I’d do anything to see those movies written by someone else. My guess is they will get made because they’re so incredible. But not by me.
Although an Abrams/Lindelof "Dark Tower" could be a very cool thing to see, it is good to know that this potentially massive project isn’t in the way of the next Star Trek movie. No final word yet on that project, but it still appears to be a likely 2012 release.
Hmm. Not sure if the page is refreshing properly. Hard to believe no comments on this yet.
I would love to see a well made film based on Mr. King’s book series myself.
Regards.
I think they would do a great job on it. But would rather them do Star Trek. But if they could do both.
I think theres a lot of people who aren’t familiar with Dark Tower in the earlier half of this site’s demographic.
Just another movie to add to his plate. Get me another Star Trek in 2011/2012 and I’ll be just fine!
Just started reading The Gunslinger…already I want a film! JJ would do a fantastic job, even if his product is a little different than the book series. But then again, how many book-made to-movies are accurate to their source?
I love the Dark Tower series. I was excited about JJ doing it, especially after seeing how awesome the new Star Trek was, but I’d rather not have it get in the way of more ST…
My best friend just bought me a copy of The Gunslinger. Having read all of King’s other books (excepting the Dark Tower series), I have to say, this wasn’t what I expected. It would make a fantastic movie. I agree that it’s good that JJ isn’t working on this. The project would have been epic and COULD have gotten in the way of Trek XII. So no JJ = good (imho). Why not get someone like Tim Burton, or Guillermo DelToro, or Terry Gilliam to do it? Any one of them would do a fantastic job with the Dark Tower, and Gilliam COULD even bring a bit of Python to it (I could see some of those animations working REALLY WELL as sfx shots).
-The Doc
“I’m such a massive Stephen King fan that I’m terrified of screwing it up.”
Does that mean Lindelof can risk screwing up Star Trek without any terror at all?
Yar! You say true, I say thank ya!
They’re not saying that they will NEVER do it, but that they just aren’t working on it right now.
Dark Tower is OK – first 3 books are good, and the 4th is stunning. Didn’t get on with the rest of the series.
Not sure how it would transcribe onto the screen – I imagine some big changes would have to be made. But glad it’s not getting in the way of ST:XII.
Loved the early books in the series. Always saw Clint Eastwood or Scott Glenn in the lead role (funnily enough, the same two would be my picks for Judge Dredd). Didn’t like the later entries so much, especially the egotistical last entry.
The finale was also a massive letdown for me after ploughing through seven tomes, each heftier than the last.
I’ve never read those books but I’ve been told they are great (and hard to be adapted).
I guess it is too early for something like that. JJ and crew should concentrate on the next two Treks, then develop a neat concept for a Trek TV spin off by 2015 and let other people continue the journey.
After that they can finally have a look at the Dark Tower project again.
Good thing! Abrams would screw it up just like he did “Star Trek!”
I actually think it’s too BIG a project for him.
As far as the next “Star Trek” film goes, Abrams will NOT direct it either.
He’s kind of “squirrelly” that way.
As far as I’m concerned, Abrams and his hacks can leave the movie business for good. Wouldn’t upset me a bit.
Best person for Dark Tower is Guillermo del Toro, and as a massive Tolkien fan I wouldn’t take him (or Jackson who’d be great too) away from The Hobbit.
Dark Tower would be difficult to adapt as a screenplay: but I’d love somebody talented to take a stab at it. Even though I was less than satisfied by the ending. No doubt they’d change it for screen anyway.
I’ve been a Dark tower fan since high school in the late ’90s, and I must say: If anyone can do it, it’s Abrams. I do think it would be a good idea to see how CG and other factors advance over the next few years, as well as take a long, hard look at who will play Roland, Jake, Randal Flagg, etc. I want this movie to be -real-. Star Trek was a good start. We’ve almost reached the other side of the “uncanny valley”, but not quite. I don’t mean this so much in regard to human characters, but the overall feel of the movie– the compositing, the fluidity of motion, the unquestionability of what we see as an audience. The Dark Tower movie, like the book, should be Stephen King’s magnum opus. I want to see it outdo, not only all of his other movies, but all of his books as well.
For the earlier posters who have just started reading this epic, I’m quite jealous of you. The journey is so amazing, and it continues to improve throughout. The story slags a bit towards the end, (Books 6 and 7) but it is all in concordance with the story. When all is said and done you will not be disappointed. As for adapting it, I like the whispers of HBO or Showtime getting a hold of it. The format would allow for all the material to make it in, and for the proper amount of financial backing to be put in to it. We’ll see how A Game of Thrones turns out on HBO, but I would like to see it go over there. As for Burton, Too zany. Del Toro, not bad. Gilliam, too….Python. The Scripts then could be handled as a collective along with the direction. This would allow the series to adapt to the different styles King writes with throughout the series. Sad to see J.J. Lind off it for now, but it may not be a permanent out. King has said he has a strong desire to write an 8th novel covering events between GLASS and CALLA. We’ll see what happens, but that may very well be some of the motivation behind the delay.