The DARK TOWER to span across TV and Film

This is pretty massive news even if you aren't a fan of Stephen King's meta-Gunslinger world:

Deadline Hollywood is reporting unprecedented plans of a Dark Tower film trilogy that will be simultaneously augmented by a TV show--

Ron Howard has committed to direct the initial feature film, as well as the first season of the TV series that will follow in close proximity. Akiva Goldsman will write the film, and the first season of the TV series. Howard’s Imagine Entertainment partner Brian Grazer will produce, with Goldsman and the author.

The plan is to start with the feature film, and then create a bridge to the second feature with a season of TV episodes. That means the feature cast—and the big star who’ll play Deschain—also has to appear in the TV series before returning to the second film. After that sequel is done, the TV series picks up again, this time focusing on Deschain as a young gunslinger. Those storylines will be informed by a prequel comic book series that King was heavily involved in plotting. The third film would pick up the mature Deshain as he completes his journey. They will benefit from being able to use the same sets cast and crew for the movie and TV, which could help contain costs on what will be a financially ambitious undertaking.
(More at Deadline Hollywood)

Oddly, the more I think about it, the more I realize that Howard is the right guy to take on the Tower-- Between The Missing and Willow, he's tackled both westerns and fantasy. Since he's also worked in film and TV, he's one of the few guys with the experience chops to bridge both worlds.
Richie Cunningham and the Dark Tower...who'da thought?

Agree with me or not, you've got to admire the scope of what these guys are attempting-- And if you're a fan of Roland and the Ka-Tet, you know the Dark Tower deserves it. 

Long days and pleasant nights...

Roland-The-Dark-Tower

Tim Simmons does Friday Frodos on Geekweek. He also writes the ongoing Hi-Spy webcomic Spy6teen.
He's also fan of Stephen King, although he didn't think Under the Dome was very good.

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