Universal has canceled director Ron Howard’s plans for a trilogy of films based on Stephen King’s bast-selling “The Dark Tower series of books.
The studio officially announced it was moving ahead with the project last September, with Ron Howard on board to direct the first of three films. But Universal decided to pass after it reportedly couldn’t reduce the budget enough to greenlight the project.
This marks the second time a “Dark Tower” adaptation has stalled, with the first involving J.J. Abrams and “Lost” co-creator Damon Lindeolf.
“The Dark Tower” is a seven book saga incorporating themes from multiple genres and follows a Gunslinger and his quest toward the fabled tower.
The novels have sold more than 30 million copies in 40 countries around the world with even an comic book adaptation by Marvel.