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Brian Grazer Says Big Budget Cuts Means 'Dark Tower' Will Get Made

by Ethan Anderton
October 24, 2011
Source: The Playlist

Back in July the disappointing decision came from Universal Pictures to pass on the ambitious film and television adaptation of Stephen King's book series The Dark Tower, but there was hope that the project might end up at another studio, or scale back its budget enough to allow the film to move forward. Now it sounds like the project may still come together as The Playlist recently spoke with Ron Howard's producing partner Brian Grazer of Imagine Entertainment who revealed that they have been able to cut a significant amount out of the budget, and the changes made actually benefited the film creatively as well. More below!

While doing some press rounds for Tower Heist, here's what Grazer had to say on the gestating project, "We found a way to cut out $45 million out of the budget without changing the scope and actually giving it a good ending. 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." However, in speaking about these budget cuts, it only makes sense that these numbers refer to only the first film installment of the potential series. I can't imagine  a few films and a couple seasons of television all coming together for just under $100 million, so maybe they're just trying to get the first film off the ground to round up support for what looks to be a very ambitious franchise.

Either way, it will likely be a little while before any real progress is made with director Ron Howard shooting Rush in place of the canceled adaptation. Javier Bardem should still be attached to play Roland Deschain, but depending on how scheduling works out with the delayed production, the role could very well end up being recast. Surely fans are just hoping for some small miracles that allow for King's stories, ripe with cinematic potential, to finally hit the big screen in a way that is both respectful and worthy of such a beloved series of books from the iconic author.

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