BUT NOT FOR YOU, GUNSLINGER, NEVER FOR YOU

I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Universal passed on this. As with ATMOM, it's disappointing but I can't really blame them. They're not having a good year, and they're understandably wary about sinking a shit-ton of money into something like this.

That is a sizable investment and ambitious workload. Not shocked. I'll sit by and wait as well.

It seems that this won't happen until Mick Garris decides to take over.

Never really liked Howard for this project in the first place, but I'm still slightly disappointed.  They just need to hammer this beast out on cable like Game of Thrones.  

Ron Howard and Javier Bardem are so wrong for this project that this is hardly a bad thing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zak chase 

Ron Howard and Javier Bardem are so wrong for this project that this is hardly a bad thing.

I'm with you on both counts. Bardem's all kinds of awesome, but I think he's wrong for the role. And Howard....I like some of his stuff, but I just don't see him being effective with the material.

I want this.  I hope it doesn't get tossed into the theatrical would be wasteland that the Talisman landed in.

Universal should just bail out of every movie on their slate and save us all the bother.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fuzzy dunlop 

 They just need to hammer this beast out on cable like Game of Thrones.  

Yes, yes, yes. GoT is very clearly a winner at this point in its early life. Treat it the same way, not necessarily on HBO (like an AMC prestige series, hell, you've already got King writing an episode of The Walking Should Be Better next year) and you will have people coming in from all over. I am in no way privy to how studios really work, outside of the inane ramblings of Robert Evans, but I just don't get how they fail to see this.

The Harry Potter model is dangerous for this because you don't get the kids with the R rating and besides, Westerns are totally lame (or something). And I hate to say it, but television is offering some intense competition in the storytelling department these days, at times surpassing its cinematic kin. Long form storytelling for the win, and all that.

I understand the hesitance to finance a thing; you either go all in or go home, especially in a film franchise. I just want to see it done right and proper, gimme three seasons on AMC or HBO and bam, story told.

If a few big tentpole projects have to die to put Akiva Goldsman out of a job, so be it.

If we're now looking at downgrading, budget-wise, then I suggest Jay Harrington as replacement Roland.

Ron Howard is why I've not been excited about this franchise happening.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Verber 

I want this.  I hope it doesn't get tossed into the theatrical would be wasteland that the Talisman landed in.

And the TALISMAN is a much easier sell, IMO. Self-contained. Dangerous Wonderland/Oz type premise. Could be almost kid-friendly (or PG-13 at least) with some tweaks. Easy to root for character... Boy lead traveling to save his Mom from sickness and evil villain. Werewolf sidekick.

I want that adaption dangit.
 

I felt the books were perfectly suited for the literary medium and wouldn't translate well to screen, big or small.  I'm actually kind of relieved at this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cameron Hughes 

Ron Howard is why I've not been excited about this franchise happening.

Akiva Goldsman for me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Prankster 
Akiva Goldsman for me.

Yeah, Ron Howard doesn't sway me either way, but Akiva G is death. He's not solely responsible for I AM LEGEND and BATMAN & ROBIN, but yikes.

Whoever ends up directing it better replace King with his(or her)self, or much of the metatextual stuff will be lost. Would be funny to see Ron Howard playing himself, in some weird way...

What's Terry Gilliam doing now?  Maybe he can play himself in danger of getting killed on a fictional Don Quixote set. 

Updated -- it's officially on hiatus.