Imagine Denies Trilogy Dark Tower Monte Response As Questions

The ambitious plan for Universal, Imagine Entertainment and NBC, in turn, Stephen King's Dark Tower book in a trilogy of films with an additional TV has encountered a major obstacle.


Word leaks Thursday its new owners Universal and Comcast had serious problems with the budget for large-scale project. Directed by Ron Howard and Brian Grazer, Imagine and as a writer and producer Akiva Goldsman, The Dark Tower would be a trilogy of films with a television component between films. Javier Bardem is in talks to star in the first directed by Howard and television component first, with options for two other films in April, Mark Verheiden has come aboard to co-write the television component Goldsman.


However, several sources said on Thursday that the project THR was in trouble and about to be implemented.


Imagine President Michael Rosenberg, however, vehemently denies that the project was shelved.


"Dark Tower is not in recovery," said Rosenberg THR, adding: ". There are problems and budget negotiations under way with almost all films in development"


A Universal spokeswoman declined comment.


Two sources familiar with the project say that the Comcast executives have continued to examine the plan, mainly because of budget problems. Sources also say that the final part of the project has been found lacking in creative ways.


The final decision is said to be expected soon after, to seek additional funding partners, or to cancel the project altogether. But the cast and crew were told to stop during the project preparation.


Whether Dark Tower will be available from other studies will not be a cheap project to take. Universal executives say they paid $ 5 million for the rights. This does not include the high cost of Howard, Grazer and Goldsman, not to mention Oscar winner Javier Bardem, the costs not only for the film, but the TV (to be paid more than the average TV star.)


Warner Bros. is a potential source for the project. Study ran for Dark Tower Rights last year and is already developing The Stand, King's post-apocalyptic mega-novel. Warner insiders said at least blow the tires on the Dark Tower.


Another potential source is Sony, for which Goldman is the Imagine and The Da Vinci Code and its sequel, Angels & Demons.


This is not the first time that a costly project Universal is stopped in its tracks Comcast system. In the mountains of madness, horror project $ 150000000 Guillermo del Toro, Tom Cruise attached, was published earlier this year.


The sources said that if Universal had put the Black Tower will be translated, would have to pay $ 10 million fine.