I’ve never read any of The Dark Tower series, and even though I’ve been obsessively collecting the Marvel Comics version of The Stand that’s been printed since September of 2008 (and is only 3 issues away from finishing), I haven’t checked out The Dark Tower comic series either.*
What I do know is that the movie adaptation encountered an abrupt Lone Ranger-esque cancellation earlier this year, after a ton of hype for the theatrical franchise/network TV show hybrid production. Apparently producer Brian Grazer has spent the last few months as deep in the books as Bruckheimer and tells The Playlist he has similarly managed to shave an entire (modestly-budgeted) feature film’s worth of dollars off the pricetag. Apparently that came with an unexpected side benefit…
“In the $140 million draft, the ending wasn’t quite as satisfying. Now, we’ve got $45 million, $50 million out of the way and a really satisfying ending. It’s gonna get made.”
Clearly this is pretty vague. We don’t know if he’s talking about the budget of just the first film, or overall. With the way studios are crunching those numbers (I bet Paramount is patting themselves on the back for starting up that sub-studio for micro-budget horror films) I wouldn’t doubt if this is just for the first film, and they’ll continue to shave off money from each subsequent entry.
I’m also looking forward to this “improved ending”. Anybody who’s read the ending to the final Dark Tower book, feel free to enlighten me about how it ends. Then again, as they say over at The Playlist, this could just be for ending of the first film, and not for the overall trilogy.
At least they were able to find a way to get rid of budget and enhance the film, rather than taking money that obviously was just going to be wasted on stuff other than, you know, making the film.
Give us your thoughts in the comments below…
*Coincidentally, this weekend while watching Storm Of The Century I spent some time on Wikipedia and fell upon Roland Deschain– now I’m looking forward to seeing what THE GUNSLINGER can do in the film or films.
Source: The Playlist
9 comments
I won’t spoil the ending of the series here, but suffice it to say that as a fan of the books I reacted violently the first time I read it, but over time I’ve grown to appreciate the ending (and can’t imagine it going any other way). It’s not what I would call a commercial, Hollywood ending – but if they do it as written, it could potentially be awesome. Also, I figure the first film would have to go at least partway into the 2nd book, as the first book doesn’t end in a way that would necessarily work as the conclusion to part one of a franchise.
I liked the ending and I kind of want King to continue on with it, just to see what differences it would make. (sorry to be obtuse but I don;t want to spoil it)
I actually haven’t finished this series, I stayed at Wolves of the Calla (it’s more than a trilogy, by the way… This is 7 books we’re talking about). But the “satisfying ending” thing probably refers to the first book – The Gunslinger. (Which I think is perfectly reasonable to keep as one movie of about 135 to 140 minutes… A good, non-intimidating way to start off the film series.) But that book doesn’t have the traditional showdown that commercial audiences may be expecting. The ultimate confrontation between Roland and Walter is cerebral. I can see them wanting to change that to a more traditional Western shootout type thing, and I would approve.
It doesn’t have an ending — it’s an Ouroboros.
I thought the ending to The Gunslinger was the best part of the book. Most of the book is set up, until Roland and Walter speak to each other at the end, and Walter suddenly opens up this whole possible world for the reader to explore. I don’t want to see a shootout.
Yeah, I’m guessing that the listed budget is for the first film only and that the changed ending is also in reference to the first film. With that in mind, I think it is highly likely that it will at least dip its toes into the beginning of the second book before it ends…………..if for no other reason than to tease at what is to come.
140 million dollars is a ridiculous budget for an adaptation of The Gunslinger. 90 million sounds much more acceptable, as it isn’t like the first book is high on FX and spectacle.
They’d better film this bizness quick considering one of the major characters is a boy on the cusp of puberty. Unless the ridiculous budget is for the Andy Serkis Jake Mo-Cap.
Speaking of budget, are they gonna at least try to find an actress with no lower legs? These things are gonna be a logistical nightmare.
Do yourself a favor and don’t ready any further. The rest of the series wallows in inchoate self-indulgence, while Wolves of the Calla merely flirts with it.
I wish I stopped at Wizard and Glass.
Others may violently disagree, but that is my two cents.
I’ve always felt the same way – I wish I’d stopped at Wizard and Glass. I made my way through Wolves of the Calla, and tried to read Song of Susannah, but eventually put it down and gave up on it. I completely understand the appeal of finishing the series, but just couldn’t get through it after it seemed that its entire tone changed. Definitely interested in the film adaptation, though.
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