I am trying to remain calm because this is still just a rumor, but it is about time we got some news on THE DARK TOWER. Last we heard, Ron Howard was working with HBO to develop the sprawling Stephen King fantasy series which fell through. Prior to that, Howard was discussing a huge plan featuring movies and a television series at NBC. We heard Russell Crowe and Javier Bardem were both circling the title role of Roland Deschain, but since then nothing has developed.
With Howard reviving his loved series ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT later this month via Netflix, could there be hope for THE DARK TOWER? Check out this quote from an interview> with Netflix CCO Ted Sarandos:
Arrested Development creator Ron Howard has also been circling Stephen King’s The Dark Tower – any chance Netflix could pick it up?
I spoke to Ron about it, actually. The last time we talked about it the thing was being kicked about HBO – but it’s no longer there. Once Arrested Development gets through we’ll keep talking about it.
Holy flurking schnit! Netflix has done one hell of a job with their original content so far. David Fincher's HOUSE OF CARDS was phenomenal, Eli Roth's HEMLOCK GROVE has been decent, and there is no doubt that ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT will be hilarious. Netflix would definitely be taking on a huge task if they elect to create THE DARK TOWER as a series, but it would not have the strictures of a network series. We would get a fully uncensored show along the lines of GAME OF THRONES.
So, despite Netflix losing over 1800 movies on their streaming service, the company is definitely aiming to up their original projects and THE DARK TOWER is a project that has been waiting way too long to be realized on screen. Make this happen, Netflix!