Could Russell Crowe save "The Dark Tower?"
Remember the drama “The Dark Tower?” No, not an actual movie, the drama behind the yet to be made movie “The Dark Tower.” Ron Howard’s planned adaptation of Stephen King’s mammoth cycle of novels started out at Universal, which eventually balked at the idea of paying for not only a trio of films, but two TV miniseries as well. They told Howard he could take it elsewhere and in March we heard that Warner Brothers was considering taking it on.
Well, now the moment of truth is coming. Deadline reports that Warner Brothers is getting a new script from Akiva Goldsman for the first movie in the epic. Within two weeks, they’re hoping to come to a decision about whether to proceed with the project.
There’s a new wrinkle to the story, though, which may have some effect on their decision. Javier Bardem had been a virtual lock for the leading role of gunslinger Roland Deschain. However, word now is that Bardem is out and Russell Crowe may be in. Howard, Goldsman, producer Brian Grazer, and Crowe worked together on “A Beautiful Mind” and “Cinderella Man.” Would Crowe’s involvement–he’s a bigger name than Bardem–make WB feel better about it? Could his participation be the deciding factor?
“The Dark Tower” has been described as a “Lord of the Rings” type saga, but with a futuristic Old West feel (if futuristic old anything makes sense). Going forward with a project of this scale in a time when most studios are running from anything that’s not a 100% proven winner would be a big move on the part of Warner Brothers. Might be kind of fun, in fact.
