Rumor: Dark Tower Films May Be Dead

[OtherSideofSky]

This is the series where the author appeared as a kind of whiny god figure half way through and the last chapter is preceded by a lengthy note on why you shouldn't read the ending (I'll give him credit: I kind of did regret having read it, so at least he knew it was bad). I think I can live without the film version (The first three-or-so books were pretty cool, though). Besides, the Dark Tower just plain doesn't work without a hard R, so the usual 'fantasy epic' audience probably wouldn't be out in force for this one.

 

[Schmittler]

One of part of me is kind of disappointed, but another part is glad.

The Dark Tower series is really surreal, I don't think certain important elements would translate well to TV/movies.

All I ever got from the covers in the Barnes & Noble was there were cowboy(s) in it. What more can you tell me about them?

Well, they're some of the most captivating books you'll ever read, thats all I got to add.

Truth ^

I'm pretty disappointed. I really thought they made a good casting choice for Roland and was waiting to see how the other characters turned out, mainly Eddie. There is always the possibility that the movies will be an utter disaster, but if done right they would be extremely enjoyable.

 

[Grospoliner]

I guess Stephen King wont get to write himself into another crappy film. Stephen King, the Stan Lee of the literary world.

 

[Nickompoop]

NO! Why? It'd be an epic series! But, then again, it could have also ruined the series. I still don't like the cancellation, though.

 

[bthesaulnier]

Dark Tower deserves better than Ron Howard.

 

[bthesaulnier]

I can understand not liking the ending but it worked, and honestly how should one end such an epic story? As far as King himself being the "God" or creator of Roland's world, I thought that was an awesome, original twist, really solidifying the concept of alternate dimensions playing off of one another. As for the R rating, there are plenty of fantasy and sci-fi nerds over 18, so I don't see why this would be a problem. Was shaping up to be a pretty shitty adaptation though, casting wise. Probably best if it dies. Ron Howard can suck it.

 

[Snake Plissken]

Isn't there some kind of Stephen King curse? Like, every movie made off of a book of his is complete shit? Minus, you know, The Shining. It's not like he is that good a writer anyway, so I guess it isn't hard to fuck up his adaptations. All 600 of them.

No, several of his films did quite well in theaters, and are quite entertaining. The Green Mile, Shawshank Redemption, Carrie, Misery, Stand By Me, Apt Pupil, Christine, and The Running Man also all did very well.

 

[bthesaulnier]

NO! Why? It'd be an epic series! But, then again, it could have also ruined the series. I still don't like the cancellation, though.

Isn't there some kind of Stephen King curse? Like, every movie made off of a book of his is complete shit? Minus, you know, The Shining. It's not like he is that good a writer anyway, so I guess it isn't hard to fuck up his adaptations. All 600 of them.

... What?

Its all subjective, but the Stand was rather good. Misery was as well.

People still talk about Stand By Me (The Body), Cujo was huge (though that ending was crap. But I guess you cant have the real ending cause otherwise there would have been alot of depressed people), The Green Mile was nominated and won quite a few academy awards, It (in my mind) stands as one of the most sadistic things you can ever show someone (fi theyre in the right mood, or young like I was whne I first say it), Christine/Carrie defined generations in film, I dont know anyone that had a problem with Shawshank Redemption (based on Rita Hayworth and the Shawkshank Redemption), the Running Man is kinda good, Creepshow is actually pretty cool, The lawnmower man is a decent enough film.

I dont think there's really been a completely terrible movie based off his works except maybe the Mist (and probably room 1408, you could argue that).

You know, 1408 was rather enjoyable. Never read the story. I guess EVERYTHING that King writes can't be shit. I mean, he has... what? 4 billion published books? 5 new every week? Probably a ratio of 1 out of 40 is decent, I would say. But then you get to the movies, most of which seem to be made for TV. So that narrows it to 1 out of 80 for the adaptations.

Yeah, there are a lot of good Stephen King film and TV adaptations, all the ones you listed were quite enjoyable (although the Running Man made me laugh more than anything). Shawshank, Misery and the Green Mile are my personal favorites. However there are a lot of shitty ones too, like Dream Catcher and Desperation. Even the shitty movies were drawn from awesome literature though, so if you don't like the movies don't just write off the books.

 

[JochemDude]

I don't think any movie no matter how good it's going to be can do it right. This is too big, even LoTR is a minor project to this scale.

 

[diablomaki]

all im saying is: if they dont make that damn movie, somebody is getting cut!?!?!?

 

[mexicola]

I'm fine with this. If it goes according to my plan they will postpone filming this movie until we invent the time machine and then they will get young Clint Eastwood to star as Roland.

 

[lumenadducere]

I absolutely loved the books but I'm kinda glad it's stalled. I don't see any real way the books could easily be translated to film form, so it's probably for the best.

But damn, I really need to re-read those.

 

[Imperioratorex Caprae]

thank god, this book series started out decent and ended up convoluted and boring (esp. after King's near death experience being hit by a car).

 

[Ostman]

Didn't know much about this, but who is/was being cast as Susannah?
She would need to be a spectacular actress to pull that off without being over the top.

 

[A.Balthazor]

The first four books were so much superior to his last three... and I believe Mr. King had a significant lapse in time between these two sets of books. At book five and on he decided to write himself into the series, which I found bizarre, and the ending was truly lame.

The advantage of a screen adaptation could be the possibility of tweaking some of these elements to make them better, though.

 

[emeraldrafael]

I think the difference with this is that The Dark Tower books arent as popular or known as LotR.

dunno, i actually think dark tower might be more popular. i read both, and LotR is nowhere near as enjoyable to read as the dark tower :\

Yeah, but how many people have heard of Stephen King over Tolkien? And how many more have actually read it? Tolkien has been far more influential and known. And as you can see there's a lot of king hate for him being "plain", even though Tolkien didnt do aynthing truly spectacular when you actually read it.

 

[thebobmaster_v1legacy]

*looks skyward* KKKIIIIIIINNNNNNGGGG!

Seriously, one of my favorite fantasy series in recent memory (granted, I've missed some legends like Terry Goodkind and George R.R. Martin, along with Neil Gaiman) was written by a man famed for his horror books. And this is the thanks he gets? You remake Children of the Corn, but turn down Dark Tower? The fuck's wrong with you, Hollywood?

I think the difference with this is that The Dark Tower books arent as popular or known as LotR.

dunno, i actually think dark tower might be more popular. i read both, and LotR is nowhere near as enjoyable to read as the dark tower :\

Yeah, but how many people have heard of Stephen King over Tolkien? And how many more have actually read it? Tolkien has been far more influential and known. And as you can see there's a lot of king hate for him being "plain", even though Tolkien didnt do aynthing truly spectacular when you actually read it.

Um...I think nowadays, more people would recognize the name of Stephen King than J.R.R. Tolkien. If you walk up to a person on the street, they would say "Oh, that guy who writes horror books" to Stephen King's name, while with J.R.R. Tolkien, unless they are a fantasy fan, would probably stare at you until you say "the guy who wrote the Lord of the Rings books". Hell, Peter Jackson's name might be more recognizable, considering the number of people who saw the movies vs. the number of people who read the books.

 

[Programmed_For_Damage]

Dark Tower deserves better than Ron Howard.

Precisely. I thought Frank Darabont was itching to do an adaptation of the Dark Tower. I also heard that the writers and directors of Lost had the rights but were waiting until Lost had finished before doing anything.

Part of me is sad and part of me is glad at this news. While the books deserve to be immortalised on screen, there are just so many ways people can fuck it up. Especially in the last book where they meet Stephen King. That could be tragic.

 

[thebobmaster_v1legacy]

Dark Tower deserves better than Ron Howard.

Precisely. I thought Frank Darabont was itching to do an adaptation of the Dark Tower. I also heard that the writers and directors of Lost had the rights but were waiting until Lost had finished before doing anything.

Part of me is sad and part of me is glad at this news. While the books deserve to be immortalised on screen, there are just so many ways people can fuck it up. Especially in the last book where they meet Stephen King. That could be tragic.

Frank Darabont? The guy who did The Shawshank Redemption? *looks it up on IMDB to confirm it* ... *pictures an adaption as faithful to the original as TSR was* I need new pants.

 

[Programmed_For_Damage]

Dark Tower deserves better than Ron Howard.

Precisely. I thought Frank Darabont was itching to do an adaptation of the Dark Tower. I also heard that the writers and directors of Lost had the rights but were waiting until Lost had finished before doing anything.

Part of me is sad and part of me is glad at this news. While the books deserve to be immortalised on screen, there are just so many ways people can fuck it up. Especially in the last book where they meet Stephen King. That could be tragic.

Frank Darabont? The guy who did The Shawshank Redemption? *looks it up on IMDB to confirm it* ... *pictures an adaption as faithful to the original as TSR was* I need new pants.

That's him alright. He also did an adaptation of The Mist (which I loved) and most recently the pilot to a little series called The Walking Dead.