The Dark Tower

Ron Howard Comments on The Dark Tower

2011-11-02T19:07:00.000-07:00

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, The Dark Tower executive producer Ron Howard very briefly talks the film. He reiterates the progress made about the budget and story but doesn't talk about the rumor of a possible deal with HBO over the two TV series. He basically didn't want to talk about it because he said the below and then shifted the conversation back to promoting Formula One, a movie he currently in pre-production on. Long story short, even if a minor miracle happens and the Dark Tower is fast tracked, the earlier it will go before the camera is 2013 as I am betting any condition of financing will be based on Ron Howard directing the first film.

THR: What’s the future of Dark Tower?
Howard: We are continuing to work on the script to find ways to make the budget more manageable and still deliver the work in a way that the project deserves. We were always racing and fast-tracking the project, so I always wince when I see something written about it and there’s a release date in there. These kinds of projects often take years to come together in the right ways. But I am in love with the material, and the minute it can come together in the right way, I am fully committed to it.

Dark Tower Heading to HBO?

2011-10-25T16:09:00.000-07:00

The Dark Tower producer Brian Grazer has provided an update on the television side of their Dark Tower adaptation. The previous update indicated that they had cut the budget on the first film and provided a more appealing ending, suggesting they were not sure they could get the entire trilogy made. I went so far as to predict the television aspect was going to get dropped. It seems I was a bit premature as Glazer tells MTV that HBO has expressed interested in the television shows.

"We're going to do ['The Dark Tower'] with HBO," Grazer told us. "We'll do the TV with HBO, and we'll do the movie with… to be determined. We'll do it right." HBO has not confirmed this and until the movie aspect is handled, I doubt any agreement has been signed.

This could be good news on multiple fronts. HBO is owned by Warner Bros so this provides a studio that may at minimum provide distribution for the film but could step up and finance the film. It also means the television show will not be dumbed down for mass audience consumption but can retain a prestige (and violence) that has shown to be effective in The Walking Dead on AMC . Still a ways to go but things are moving forward at least.

Budget Cuts, New Ending Might Save The Dark Tower

2011-10-24T01:58:00.000-07:00

Several months ago Comcast executives made the decision that Universal would no longer produce The Dark Tower movies and TV series after the costs were deemed too high. The decision was part of a collective series of decisions rolled out over months for all Comcast properties to scale down their budget to levels that the historically tight company find more acceptable. Decisions that will continue as Universal shifts from high budget films to smaller fair while non-reality TV series on NBC, SyFy, USA, etc discover shortened shelf lives with cancellation based on when actor contracts expire (due to corresponding rise in operating costs with renewals, see Eureka as example) rather than how well they are doing in ratings or return on investment.

It is because of this it might actually be good news that Universal took a pass on the series. Especially now that The Dark Tower producing team of Brian Grazer and Ron Howard with writer Akiva Goldsman might have come up with a cheaper draft that costs around $100 million while improving on the ending, according to an interview with Grazer to The Playlist.

“We found a way to cut out $45 million out of the budget without changing the scope and actually giving it a good ending,” Grazer said, suggesting a heavily re-worked approach. “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.”

The decrease in cost might be an effort to get Comcast to bite again or make it easier to get outside financing for making the film. It remains unclear if the team has retained their ambitious plans of a movie, TV series, 2nd movie, TV series, final movie. I suspect the effort will be to make just one movie (thus push for "more satisfying ending") and its success will dictate if the trilogy will be completed. The accompanying TV series will probably be eventually abandoned regardless if the movie does well or not.

In short, there is hope for fans but don't get too excited. Movement on The Dark Tower will probably remain slow for at least another year, assuming it even moves past the script stage.

The Dark Tower Cancelled by Universal (Updated)

2011-07-19T01:53:00.000-07:00

Despite Imagine Entertainment's efforts to reduce the cost of The Dark Tower trilogy and two TV series, it apparently wasn't enough. Deadline reports that NBC Universal passed on the adaptation due to the costs and the risks involved. No one is talking specifics but reading between the lines it is likely the executives for Comcast (Universal's corporate parent) stepped in and nixed the project.

The current theory is the studio decided to commit its budget to making Battleship and 47 Ronin. My theory is Comcast, whose bad reputation is well earned, likes to play things extremely safe and on the cheap as much as possible. The Dark Tower was going to be very expensive with no guarantees of success along with source material that isn't exactly movie friendly so the concerns are valid.

The main problem is that most studios loath to take "used" projects, especially ones as public at The Dark Tower. While it is possible it could be shopped to another studio, I suspect this will be the end of any hope of adaptation for at least a few years, if ever. I will keep the blog open for a while long just in case things change but to be blunt I don't have much hope.

Update: Stephen King spoke with Entertainment Weekly about the cancellation.

“I’m sorry Universal passed, but not really surprised. As a rule, they’ve been about smaller and less risky pix; maybe they feel it would be better to stick with those fast and furious racing boys. I bear them no ill will, and trust Ron Howard to get Roland and his friends before the camera somewhere else. He’s very committed to the project.”

Update on The Dark Tower

2011-06-21T23:06:00.000-07:00

In an interview with Deadline to discuss the 25th Anniversary of their partnership, Brian Grazer and Ron Howard discussed their career together. They also provided an update on The Dark Tower which was recently delayed so the script could be reworked to meet a smaller budget mandated by Universal. Overall no new information was disclosed. They did reiterate that Javier Bardem wants to play Roland but no contract has been signed. No surprise as no point until a script exists. The full article can be found here with the Dark Tower segments below.

DEADLINE: Why does Dark Tower warrant three movies and two TV series in between?
HOWARD: The universe Steve King created is so dimensional and creative. It blends scope, sweep, and adventure with some very personal compelling stories. We could have tried to force all of it into one or two or three movies. It became clear to me that the medium of TV has become so bold and cool, we could use it to our advantage creatively and really fulfill the possibilities of this universe of characters King gave us to work with. We can use the intimacy of television when that’s appropriate, and the scope and scale of the big screen with the bigger fantasy ideas. We discovered elements that would probably never have a home either on the big screen or on TV, but would make fantastic narrative gaming opportunities that won’t rehash the movies or TV, but have its own material borne out of the books and graphic novels. We’ve got gaming designers and there is enthusiasm for that. It’s a way to use all the mediums at our disposal to try to fulfill what’s possible. Universal sees this as an asset that can benefit the company in a lot of different ways.

DEADLINE: You’ve been asked to bring down the budget. By how much?
GRAZER: I’m producing it with Akiva Goldsman, who wrote it to be sensitive to cost and is rewriting it to be more so. Without putting a number on it, the cuts aren’t that deep or that radical.

DEADLINE: Is Javier Bardem set to play the main gunslinger Roland Deschains?
HOWARD: Nobody is pay or play but he has said he wants to do it. We’ve spent a lot of time together. He’s fascinated by the character and has great instincts for Roland. I’m hoping when we go, he’s available and will join us.

Ron Howard Talks Dark Tower Delay

2011-05-25T17:39:00.000-07:00

In a brief interview with Entertainment Weekly, The Dark Tower executive producer discussed the recent delays that as pushed the start of production from September to next year. The news came out that Comcast executives were about the drop the project due to budget concerns that Howard was able to address with a smaller budget that in turn required a re-write of the script and planning.

“We had to pull back to our September start date due to budget delays and ongoing story development and logistical issues, but Dark Tower is moving forward,” Howard said. “We’re thinking of starting in early spring now. I can’t really say who’ll be in it yet, but Javier Bardem has shown a great deal of interest. We’ll know by the end of the summer, when our flashing green light goes solid.” The project would start with a feature film, followed by six hours of TV content, starring the same actors as in the movie. “There are elements of the Dark Tower saga that are more personal and can be best dealt with on television,” Howard continued. “TV allows you to roll out details of the characters in a more methodical way.”

The Dark Tower Lives But Delayed

2011-05-13T16:02:00.001-07:00

It seems The Dark Tower trilogy and TV series will live again. Last week the franchise was on verge of being put in "turnaround" (aka killed) due to Comcast's (owner of Universal Studios) concerns on the cost of the production. It seems that another studio would have to step up to defray the costs before production could move forward.

The Hollywood Reporters now says that the production will stay at Universal but at a lower cost. The budget must have taken a fairly massive hit as THR says "Insiders say the end result is that Goldsman is now rewriting the script to reflect a lower price point. No start date has been given although it will certainly not be the fall."

According to Deadline, the new start date has changed from summer to February. A wrinkle has also been introduced as "Universal has its own ticking clock: It must greenlight the film by July, or the rights revert back to the author and the filmmakers."

It will probably take awhile to determine the repercussions but essentially it means the movie that was well on its way into the pre-production process is now back at square one for a film. The lesson remains that big budget projects (or really anything potentially risky) do not belong with anything that Comcast owns and creators would be advised to avoid them as production partners whenever possible.

Norma Reedus Joining the Dark Tower?

2011-05-10T19:37:00.000-07:00

Despite the possibility of The Dark Tower going into turnaround, it does seem that casting was in full swing (at least until this weekend) as a new casting rumor has popped up. The IMDB page for Norman Reedus (Walking Dead) has him listed as "Eddie Dean" a major character from the book series. Now normally IMDB is notoriously wrong about information on films while they are in pre-production since it is user generated content but in this case his response of "no comment" to MTV indicates that he at least auditioned for the role. Sadly the news doesn't really matter until another studio steps up to relieve Comcast of the financial burden of making the films.

Universal Dropping The Dark Tower? (Updated)

2011-05-06T00:37:00.000-07:00

After years of hope, fan of The Dark Tower were very happy when Universal announced their intention to release a trilogy of films and two TV shows about the epic novel. According to Variety, now it seems the studio executives reconsidering the idea due to "budgetary complications" (aka too expensive). The studio is meeting soon to make and decision and in the meantime pre-production will continue. Reading between the lines it seems that Universal is willing to make the film, they just don't want to take on the financial risk by themselves and are hoping another studio will step up to share the burden. This isn't new as many films have had their cost (and profits) shared by studio with The Hobbit being a recent example with MGM and Warner Bros sharing those costs.

Update: Outlook for the Dark Tower movies is starting to look grim. Deadline is reporting that "Universal Pictures has put pre-production staff on hiatus" indicating that they do not want to spend any more money on a production they are no longer committed to. The Hollywood Reporter provided a little more information but it does little to offer hope.

Imagine President Michael Rosenberg, however, vehemently denies that the project has been shelved. "Dark Tower is not in turnaround," Rosenberg tells THR, adding "there are issues and on-going budget discussions with almost every film in development." A Universal spokesperson declined to comment. Two sources close to the project say that Comcast executives have heavily scrutinized the plan, mainly due to budgetary concerns. The sources also say that the final portion of the project has been found creatively lacking.

To be blunt, I think the Dark Tower project is in deep trouble. The recent acquisition of Universal by Comcast is the likely cause. As anyone that uses Comcast's services or watched their pre-Universal purchase channels like G4 and Versus knows the corporation likes to run things as lean and cheap as possible even if that means sacrificing quality in the process. Committing $500 million or more to at least a five year project goes against Comcast's very core of how they operate. This doesn't even take in account the risk and The Dark Tower series is very risky as it is mostly a character story with very little action.

Imagine Entertainment is probably in overdrive trying to shore up the financing to either move the project to another studio or provide Comcast a partner so they will stick with the production. THR indicates that Sony and Warner Bros are at somewhat interested. If another studio doesn't bite, then the Dark Tower is dead. Between this and the ending of "Mountains of Madness from Guillermo del Toro, it seems that if you are seeking to make big $100 million plus movie or really anything that sniffs of risk, Universal is at the bottom of the list on the studio to bring it to.

Dark Tower Gets a Writer

2011-04-12T19:19:00.000-07:00

The Dark Tower production has signed Mark Verheiden to co-write The Dark Tower TV series with Akiva Goldsman. Verheiden's previous writing experience includes writer/co-executive producer of Battlestar Galactica and Falling Skies along with writing comics such as Superman, Aliens and Predator. He adds the sci-fi/fantasy experience that the team of producers does not have a whole lot of but is a necessary ingredient to add to The Dark Tower films. The series while epic in scope, is really a combination of little character moments that will translate well to the television screen but not so well to the movie screen. It will be interesting to see what is shunted to TV, kept for the movie or left unused.

Bardem On Verge of Joining The Dark Tower

2011-04-06T18:11:00.000-07:00

Deadline is reporting that Javier Bardem is on the verge of signing a deal to join The Dark Tower in the lead role of Roland Deschain for the 3 picture trilogy and 2 limited TV series.

Bardem's WME reps are putting the finishing touches on the deal, and they are close enough that Howard has begun meeting with other actors to cast the roles around Bardem. It's a complex deal, almost unprecedented, because it calls for Bardem to star in the feature film and the TV component. His deal will also include options for two sequels (the TV program that runs between the second and third films will be a prequel). I'm told it will add up to a career-best payday for Bardem. Howard and Goldsman have told me they see the trilogy as their answer to the Peter Jackson-directed adaptation of JRR Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. While Middle Earth had a mystical medieval feel, The Dark Tower vibe is one that Goldsman described as “an alternate Americana, one part post-apocalyptic, one part Sergio Leone.”

Bardem Tapped for The Dark Tower

2011-03-01T19:24:00.000-08:00

MTV is reporting that Javier Bardem has been chosen to play the role of Roland Deschain for The Dark Tower trilogy and TV series. The information comes via Brian Grazer, producer on the project along with Ron Howard.

“Javier Bardem, that’s what we’re hoping. We’re in the process of trying to put that together. He’s locked in psychologically. He really wants to do it, so we’re absolutely rooting for him to do it.”

Grazer also reiterated the plan of a movie, TV series, movie, TV series, then final movie along with video games and the like for the project. The last bit is that it does seem the films will start in chronological order of the books.

"It's challenging to capture all of it, the density of it," he said, adding that he's excited to explore all the metaphors involved, and that the first story they're exploring is that of "The Gunslinger."

Just be aware that this means Bardem is the first and most wanted choice but there are contract details, salary and more that have to be worked out in advance. If those details can't be worked out they may have to move onto another choice. Chances are small of that occurring but the casting doesn't really become "official" until the contract is signed.

The Dark Tower Release Date, Video Game?

2011-01-28T15:10:00.000-08:00

A source to AICN reports that The Dark Tower has a tentative release date of May 13th, 2013 along with a video game in the works. Since there is no script, no money has yet been allocated for the epic but it does seem like things are moving along very quickly considering how long the series has been dormant up to now.

Hey, Capone. There are genuine plans for a May 13th, 2013, release theatrical, with T.V. hours to follow. [However,] there is no green light in place yet, as the scripts are not done, which means the budgets are not done, but Universal is giving very strong support. There's also a very ambitious Game component being planned that will further utilize elements from the books. [If everything continues on schedule and the budget is approved], it looks like things are coming together for a late-summer or early-September start. Call me Eddie Dean.

Bardem Offered The Dark Tower Lead Role?

2011-01-26T18:51:00.001-08:00

Deadline.com is reporting that Javier Bardem has been offered the role of Roland Deschain for The Dark Tower trilogy and possible two television series about the Stephen King 7-novel epic.

I'm told that Bardem has officially been offered the lead role by director Ron Howard and Universal Pictures. While formal negotiations haven't yet begun, there's a high level of enthusiasm internally that they've got their cowboy. Akiva Goldsman has scripted the first movie, and will write the TV component as well. Imagine Entertainment’s Brian Grazer is producing with Goldsman and the author. Universal is financing and distributing the films, and NBC Universal Television Entertainment is backing the TV component, which will either be a limited run series or a miniseries.

Bardem was considered a frontrunner for the role along with Lord of the Rings' Viggo Mortensen. Earlier today there was even a rumor that Christian Bale was a contender for Roland.

The same source, the NY Post, has also said that Jennifer Carpenter (Dexter) "is rising on the short list for the role of Susannah, as is French/Moroccan Ghita Tazi." Considering the character of Susannah Dean is a black woman from 1964 that suffers from dual personalities and lost both her legs in a subway accident, the idea of an anorexic looking white woman in the role strikes me as a bit absurd. Previousily, Naomie Harris was rumored to be under consideration for the role. Especially when consider there are not really that many minority characters in the book. None of this has been officially confirmed so it all remains in the rumor column for now.

More Details on Dark Tower TV Series

2011-01-17T19:28:00.000-08:00

In an interview with Howard Stern to promote his latest movie The Dilemma, the producer of The Dark Tower adaptation for movie and TV revealed a little bit more about his plans for the TV series. The known plan is three movies and two TV series. Howard revealed the plan would at least the first TV program is a six hour mini-series. Chances are if that is successful then the second TV series would be the same. He also verified the recent rumor that Viggo Mortensen and Javier Bardem are his frontrunners for the role of Roland Deschain.

Exactly how the seven book Dark Tower series and the comic book series that fills out more of the back story and youth of Roland will be broken up remains unknown. I wouldn't be surprised if story points, flashbacks and details that flesh out the epic (like Roland's youth and fall of Gilead) but not needed to understand the trilogy will be relegated to the TV series. Despite its length, there is plenty that could be cut from the epic that non-Dark Tower fans wouldn't miss and something like a TV series is a good way to service those stories. Besides, I just don't see either frontrunner agreeing to a TV series outside of a cameo appearance and the producers probably are not going to push it as paying the salary would be very expensive.

Harris as Susannah Rumor

2011-01-10T17:25:00.000-08:00

The New York Post has dropped a Dark Tower related rumor, saying "Pirates of the Caribbean" beauty Naomie Harris is being considered for the female lead in the Ron Howard's eagerly anticipated "Dark Tower" trilogy." I am assuming the female lead role is referring to Susannah Dean, a split personality character that joined the Gunslinger on his quest in book 2 of the series. Currently there is no evident for or against the casting but until confirmation that at least a script exists for the first movie, any casting rumors should be taken with a grain of salt.

Bardem Or Mortensen as Roland?

2010-12-30T16:16:00.000-08:00

The New York Post, not exactly a bastion of fact checking, is reporting that Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men) is the front runner for the role with Viggo Mortensen (The Lord of the Rings) "a close second" for the role of Roland Deschain in The Dark Tower series that Ron Howard is producing. Whatever actor is chosen would have to commit to at least three movies and appear or star in one of the two TV series that is planned to air in between the movie releases.

Of the two, fans post want Viggo Mortensen as his Lord of the Rings experience and of any Hollywood actor probably most matches the imagined "look" of Roland which is basically the classic desert worn western movie gun for hire. However, there is a reason he is running in second as getting that kind of commitment from the actor will be incredibly difficult. He also has a rumored history of being difficult on set. This doesn't even include the high salary he can and will demand.

This assumes the report is true. Considering the series is probably at least a year away from beginning any meaningful pre-production, I would be surprised if casting has begun as the first step would be to have at least a working script and detailed outline for the series so actors would know what they are committing themselves too.

More from Howard on The Dark Tower

2010-12-17T17:01:00.001-08:00

Ron Howard continues with prepping Stephen King opus, The Dark Tower for movies and television. In an article from Hero Complex the director and producer discusses some of the preliminary mental prep and passion he has for translating this project. The full article is here, below are portions of Howard's comments.

“I really can’t stop thinking about it,” Howard said while shaking his head. “We’ve been meeting and talking and I’ve been reading and researching and just kind of living with it. I’ve been constantly going through stuff and I’ve just been re-listening to it [on audio books] on my iPod and we’ve been sending e-mails back and forth, ‘What about this approach? What do you think of this idea?’ We’re finding the shape of it. We’re moving quickly now, as quickly as we can, and I feel challenged in the most exciting ways.”

”We worked on it for a year before we even met with him,” Howard said. “It was all about putting something together that was good enough and getting such an understanding of the material that Stephen King would say, ‘Yes, that’s the way into this story.”

“It’s the ongoing evolution of the characters and the discovery,” Howard said of the comics that are plotted by Robin Furth and scripted by Peter David with King overseeing everything as creative director. “There are new interpretations of the rules of the world and the story. It’s a really useful and compelling part of this already fascinating creative journey that we’re on.”

“It’s different than anything I’ve ever done and in really interesting ways,” the 56-year-old said. “With ‘Da Vinci’ the mandate was different. That was about getting the story and the action and focusing on acting. With this, there’s this entire world and all of these references and there are the books and the graphic novels and just talking to Stephen and it’s all this ongoing conversation with the material and it’s really exciting. In all of it, he leaves a lot open to interpretation and so it gives a great deal of latitude.”

“It’s one of the things that really fascinated me about the challenge,” Howard said. “We love Roland the Gunslinger but we also like coming back to these worlds and these places. On one hand it is grounded and relatable but on the other hand it’s scary and strange and mind-blowing. There’s this dream quality to it and the mystery in that is what it’s all about – being compelled forward without all the answers.”

Howard Updates on Dark Tower Progress

2010-12-14T19:56:00.000-08:00

Director Ron Howard provided a brief update on the Dark Tower series of movies and television shows that is in the works. The plan remains to turn the 7 books into the a trilogy with a TV series filming in the gaps between the films.

"It is going well, and it has been incredibly stimulating to work on," Howard said. "It's dense, a great author's life work is not to be taken lightly. It has been utterly fascinating to explore it, and we are having great creative conversations. I've begun tossing and turning at 3 in the morning over it, so that's a good sign."

It will be interesting to see what the results are as the books themselves don't really lend themselves to an easy adaptation, especially for a movie. I am especially curious to see how the ending of the epic is handled considering King's original ending essentially negated the entire journey that probably only Lit majors would love but most others would find unsatisfying.

The Dark Tower Gets Release Date

2010-10-29T20:42:00.001-07:00

Universal has released a slate of release dates for multiple movies they seem committed too making. On of them was for the The Dark Tower. The film, which will be directed by Ron Howard, has a release day of Friday, May 17th, 2013. A very long wait for fans but finally proof that an end is in site on seeing at least one of the novels translated for the screen. The initial plan includes a TV series so not entirely sure if this means the series will start before or after the first movie is released.

The Dark Tower Trilogy, TV Series Planned

2010-09-08T18:21:00.000-07:00

At one time JJ Abrams was a contender to take Stephen King's epic series and bring it to movies screens worldwide. Back in April, Abrams plans were dashed when Ron Howard and Brian Grazer took over the potential franchise. Since then nothing was heard. Finally it seems there is movement on the picture with an ambitious plan involving both the TV and movie divisions at Universal (which owns NBC).

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the overall goal is to take the seven books in the series, along with comics that fill out The Gunslingers life story and create a trilogy of films with a TV series that will act as bridges to each sequel. The first film will be directed by Ron Howard and written by Oscar winner Akiva Goldsman. The pair previously worked together on A Beautiful Mind, Angels & Demons, and The Da Vinci Code.

"I've been waiting for the right team to bring the characters and stories in these books to film and TV viewers around the world," King said. "Ron, Akiva, Brian along with Universal and NBC have a deep interest and passion for the 'The Dark Tower' series and I know that will translate into an intriguing series of films and TV shows that respect the origins and the characters in 'The Dark Tower' that fans have come to love."

Howard, Grazer and Goldsman plan first film in the trilogy to be immediately followed by a TV series that will bridge the second film. After the second film, the TV series will show the adventures of The Gunslinger as a young man as a bridge to the third film and beyond.

"The worlds of Stephen King's 'The Dark Tower' series are richly detailed, inter-locking and deeply connected," Goldsman said. "By telling this story across media platforms and over multiple hours--and with a view to telling it completely--we have our best chance of translating Roland's quest to reach 'The Dark Tower' onto screen. We are proceeding with tremendous excitement, fidelity to the source material and, quite frankly, no small amount of awe at this opportunity."

This seems like an incredibly ambitious plan for a series of books that is going to be very difficult to translate to film. It should be interesting to see if this plays out but I suspect that these initial plans will undergo multiple changes.

Abrams Loses Dark Tower to Ron Howard

2010-04-30T16:19:00.000-07:00

THR's Heat Vision Blog reports that J.J. Abram's Bad Robot production company has lost the rights to Stephen King's The Dark Tower book series. Instead Imagine Entertainment, lead by the long time team of Ron Howard, Brian Grazer, and Akiva Goldsman are in discussion to secure the rights from King. The plan is the turn the seven book series into a three movie trilogy followed by a TV series.

Last year, while promoting the DVD release of Star Trek, Abrams said "The ‘Dark Tower’ thing is tricky. It’s such an important piece of writing. The truth is that Damon and I are not looking at that right now." I guess their inaction as Abrams is occupied with a lot of other projects is behind the reason for losing the rights.

As a fan of the series, I do not envy the person that has to translate those seven books into a film. I imagine the approach will be much like the Lord of the Rings where entire sections of the books will be skipped over. I just wonder how they will handle the ending (which has always been King's weakness) of the epic series.