NEWS -

More about the Ghost Brothers

Posted: March 31, 2011, 00:27

Here are some info about The Ghost Brothers of Darkland County from Alliance Theatre's webpage:

Music and Lyrics by John Mellencamp
Book by Stephen King
Directed by Susan V. Booth
Music Direction by T Bone Burnett

In keeping with the Alliance’s tradition of producing new American musicals, the company will produce the world premiere of Ghost Brothers of Darkland County, a chilling new musical with music and lyrics by John Mellencamp and book by Stephen King, as the closing show of the Alliance Stage Series season set for spring, 2012. Based on a true story, one of the world's most popular authors and one of America’s most honored musicians have created a riveting Southern gothic musical fraught with mystery, tragedy, and ghosts of the past, along with a roots and blues-tinged score that is sure to leave audiences asking for more. Alliance Artistic Director Susan V. Booth directs, with musical direction provided by legendary producer T Bone Burnett.

In the tiny town of Lake Belle Reve, Mississippi in 1957, a terrible tragedy took the lives of two brothers and a beautiful young girl. During the next forty years, the events of that night became the stuff of local legend. But legend is often just another word for lie. Joe McCandless knows what really happened; he saw it all. The question is whether or not he can bring himself to tell the truth in time to save his own troubled sons, and whether the ghosts left behind by an act of violence will help him – or tear the McCandless family apart forever.

April 4 – May 13

Ghost Brothers next year

Posted: March 30, 2011, 15:32

According to access Atlanta Alliance Theatre has announced Ghost Brothers of Darkland County for spring 2012:

Atlanta's biggest theater, which announced only the first part of its 2011-12 season earlier this month, saved a big surprise for Wednesday's announcement of the second half, carried exclusively in the AJC, including "Ghost Brothers" among its final four plays.

They even quoted my site in the article...

That, too, is a surprise if you believe Web sites such as Liljas Library: The World of Stephen King (www.liljas-library.com), which has quoted Mellencamp as saying that Swedish actress Liv Ullmann would helm it.

King is going to France

Posted: March 23, 2011, 00:52

The moderator of King's board posted the following:

“I’ve heard back from Steve, who’s given me the okay to pass along the information he’d shared last week when I’d asked about book tours. He told me he will be going to France (and probably Germany) for a book tour so it’s not a matter of “if,” but rather a matter of “when.” I’ll post updates as they become available.”

Thanks to Hans Wilhelm von Wirth

King and son might walk the dead

Posted: March 22, 2011, 08:49

King has confirmed with Entertainment Weekly that he is talks to write an episode of The Walking Dead and that the current plan is to co-write it with his son, Joe Hill.

AMC’s zombie sensation The Walking Dead might be getting a serious scare injection on its writing staff for next season. Iconic horror novelist (and former EW columnist) Stephen King has confirmed with EW that he’s currently in talks to write an episode of the post-apocalyptic series. Dead is executive-produced by Frank Darabont, who has directed three films based on King’s work — four, if you count his 1983 short film The Woman in the Room — and King tells EW exclusively that Darabont “has expressed enthusiastic interest for season 2 or possibly 3.” Although the author is still early in negotiations, the current plan would be for King to co-write an episode with his son, Joe Hill, the author of horror novels Heart-Shaped Box and Horns.

Thanks to Al Mattice

King on Mildred Pierce

Posted: March 22, 2011, 08:32

King reviews Mildred Pierce (an HBO mini-series) for The Daily Beast.

Thanks to David Squyres

Dollar Baby version of Willa

Posted: March 20, 2011, 01:03

A Dollar Baby version of Willa is in the making. I recived some info about it and it sounds interesting. To the right you can see the movies poster and here is the official website.

Will King walk the dead?

Posted: March 20, 2011, 01:01

The Walking Dead panel at C2E2 with stars Laurie Holden and Jon Bernthal offered plenty of interesting news about season two...

Another rumor has been added to the mill, but this time by Laurie Holden. She mentioned that Stephen King may write an episode of the series in season two – a huge addition if true. Also, Bernthal confirmed that season two begins shooting on June 1st, which makes sense considering the Fall season premiere date.

Read the enitre article here.

Thanks to Louis Sytsma

Children of the Corn: Genesis premiers tonight

Posted: March 18, 2011, 10:16

Dread Central reports that Children of the Corn: Genesis will premier tonight in LA.

Now this is, shall we say, interesting! It seems that two sequels we've all been "waiting" for have made their way to a single theatre in California and will be playing in a double feature tonight. Oh, the horror!

That's right, kids. Thanks to DC reader Corbin921 we've been alerted of this cinematic happening that's bound to be nothing short of a gala event! Both the Doug Bradley-less Hellraiser: Revelations and Joel Soisson's Children of the Corn: Genesis will be playing TONIGHT at the Rave Motion Pictures 18 + IMAX, 6081 Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA - (310) 215-3483. Click here for showtimes.

If only Foy lived in LA. We're gonna try to get someone over there for some reviews. I'm sure both flicks have such sights to show us!

New length for 11/22/63

Posted: March 18, 2011, 10:14

Simon & Schuster's site lists 11/22/63's length as 864 pages.

Thanks to Willowlove

Length of Herman Wouk

Posted: March 17, 2011, 08:02

According to the moderator of King's message board the Herman Wouk is Still Alive story is 24 manuscript pages, 6460 words.

Thanks to Bev Vincent

Herman Wouk is Still Alive; new short story

Posted: March 14, 2011, 15:44

Looks like King will have a new short story published in May...

Stephen King’s short story, “Herman Wouk is Still Alive,” will be published in the May issue of The Atlantic, on newsstands April 19 and available on the web and to subscribers a week earlier.

For those unfamiliar with that name, he is the author of The Caine Mutiny, The Winds of War, and War and Remembrance. The Winds of War was a major miniseries about 20 years ago.

Thanks to Bev Vincent

King on McCammon

Posted: March 14, 2011, 15:43

Here is a comment by King about Robert McCammon's novel The Five:

"The Five isn't just Robert McCammon's best novel in years; it's his best novel ever. Terrifying, suspenseful, unputdownable, and full of rock and roll energy. It's also uplifting, a book you'll finish feeling better about your world, your friends, and your music. Here's one you'll beg friends to read."

Thanks to Bev Vincent

The Battle of Tull in June

Posted: March 14, 2011, 15:36

The next arc will be called The Battle Of Tull and begin in June.

This June, acclaimed artist and Eisner Award nominee Michael Lark (Daredevil, Gotham Central) joins the superstar writing team of Peter David & Robin Furth for Dark Tower: The Gunslinger – The Battle Of Tull #1 (of 5). Lark joins the acclaimed team of Peter David, Robin Furth and Richard Isanove in the select group of creators entrusted by Stephen King himself to bring the adult adventures of his most personal creation to life in Dark Tower: The Gunslinger – The Battle Of Tull! Longtime fans and newcomers alike are sure to be amazed as Lark’s take on the grit and grandeur of Mid-World this June with an outright merciless tale that sets in motion the fateful journey of Roland Deschain.

“I have nothing but respect and admiration for Stephen King and the chance to work on the Dark Tower is a wonderful privilege,” said Lark. “I only hope that I can come close to conveying his vision – a daunting task, but a challenge that I'm enjoying tremendously. It has allowed me to explore the darker aspects of my art and really start pushing some of the boundaries of my own style. And who doesn't love drawing cowboys and horses?!”

The Man in Black has lured Roland to a barren saloon town and, once there, he’ll realize than even a stone cold killer is no match for the horrors of the Dark Tower! Why does a dead man still walk the streets of Tull and, why are this town’s living, breathing citizens a far greater threat? The baddest man in Mid-World is about to find out that the true price of his quest can only be paid in spent shells and innocent blood this June in Dark Tower: The Gunslinger – The Battle Of Tull #1 (of 5)!

DARK TOWER: THE GUNSLINGER - THE BATTLE OF TULL #1 (of 5)
Written by PETER DAVID & ROBIN FURTH
Pencils & Cover by MICHAEL LARK
Parental AdvisorySLC …$3.99

Thanks to Bev Vincent

A Blueline of Lilja's Library

Posted: March 13, 2011, 22:55

I got a picture sent to me of this rare edition of my book. It’s something called Bluelines and there is usually only one copy (occasionally there might be 2). The printer sends these to the publisher before the book is printed so they can confirm that everything looks as it should.

Oh, and if you havn't gotten a copy of my book and plan to, make is soon. The hardcovers are running low over at Cemetery Dance.

Jason Priestly goes to Haven

Posted: March 11, 2011, 08:38

Here are some news about the upcoming season of Haven from IMDB.com. Looks like we'll be seeing Jason Priestly in four episodes.

Jason Priestley’s getting his paranormal on with a four-episode stint on Syfy’s Haven.

The 90210 actor-director will play Chris Weekly, a brilliant, principled but anti-social marine biologist who must deal with an affliction most would consider a blessing.
Hmm… Hung‘s disease? I’m just spitballing here. I have no idea what’s “ailing” him (and the show’s producers apparently want to keep it that way).

Not surprisingly, Priestly — whose arc falls during Haven‘s upcoming second season — has signed on to direct an episode of the supernatural drama as well.

Thoughts? What “illness” do you think his character is “suffering” from?

Vote for illustrator

Posted: March 11, 2011, 08:36

Here you can vote for who you would like to have illustrate The Wind Throught the Keyhole. Don't know though if it will be the winner who illustrates it though. My choice is Bernie Wrightson.

The Wind Through the Keyhole out next year?

Posted: March 10, 2011, 19:57

Here is a letter from King to his Constant Readers about the upcoming Dark Tower book The Wind Through the Keyhole. King says it might be out next year.

Dear Constant Readers,

At some point, while worrying over the copyedited manuscript of the next book (11/22/63, out November 8th), I started thinking—and dreaming—about Mid-World again. The major story of Roland and his ka-tet was told, but I realized there was at least one hole in the narrative progression: what happened to Roland, Jake, Eddie, Susannah, and Oy between the time they leave the Emerald City (the end of Wizard and Glass) and the time we pick them up again, on the outskirts of Calla Bryn Sturgis (the beginning of Wolves of the Calla)?

There was a storm, I decided. One of sudden and vicious intensity. The kind to which billy-bumblers like Oy are particularly susceptible. Little by little, a story began to take shape. I saw a line of riders, one of them Roland’s old mate, Jamie DeCurry, emerging from clouds of alkali dust thrown by a high wind. I saw a severed head on a fencepost. I saw a swamp full of dangers and terrors. I saw just enough to want to see the rest. Long story short, I went back to visit an-tet with my friends for awhile. The result is a novel called The Wind Through the Keyhole. It’s finished, and I expect it will be published next year.

It won’t tell you much that’s new about Roland and his friends, but there’s a lot none of us knew about Mid-World, both past and present. The novel is shorter than DT 2-7, but quite a bit longer than the first volume—call this one DT-4.5. It’s not going to change anybody’s life, but God, I had fun.

Steve King

Thanks to Ari

Comic biography

Posted: March 8, 2011, 22:39

Here is a pretty interesting biography of King. It's called Orbit: Stephen King and is a biography in comic format. Bellow is the press release, cover and a preview for you.

STEPHEN KING HELPS WEAVE HIS OWN TALE IN BLUEWATER’S BIOGRAPHY COMIC

He found our collective boogeymen in the shape of clowns, dogs, haunted hotels and cars. Author Stephen King, the best-selling master of horror who has terrified a generation with his nightmarish imagination, helps give voice to his own tale in a special edition of Bluewater Productions’ latest biography comic title “Orbit.”

According to Bluewater, King, himself, participated in recounting his incomparable career in a rare “behind-the scenes” glimpse into the author’s private world.

Co-author Michael Lent offers one such example: “One story we confirmed concerned a young King witnessing a friend's accident involving a train (long thought to be a source of his macabre inspirations). Until now, the story was largely apocryphal and wasn't mentioned in King's autobiography. It's a great feeling when you can resolve something once and for all.”

“Orbit: Stephen King,” scheduled for a May 2011 release, follows King’s career from a struggling writer to prolific best-selling author. It includes insight on his legacy as a writer, his love of the Boston Red Sox, forays into film, drug and alcohol issues, and the accident that nearly cost him his life.

In writing about his near-death in 1999, the authors used King's own account along with police reports that differed from accounts given by some of the media, according to Lent.

““What really enlightened us were the similarities we found between Stephen King and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones. Both came from dirt poor families. Both had talents that were shepherded by strong, supportive mothers. Both had absent fathers. Each practiced doggedly every day -- their talents weren't hobbies, but their salvation. It brought them fame and fortune, it sustained them during their darkest hours of drug addiction and it, literally, gave them both a road to recovery when their lives were nearly cut short in tragic accidents,” added co-author Brian McCarthy.

The issue, penciled by Kent Hurlburt with a cover by Micha³ Szyksznian, will retail for $3.99 and be available through most online venues like Amazon.com as well as local comic book stores.

“King’s success came from his ability to give voice and character depth to the everyman and put them into nightmarish situations, said Bluewater president Darren Davis. “He found a way to strike a chord that make the everyday seem eerie and the scary downright evil.”

This isn’t the first time Bluewater has taken on the biography of a well known author. In the past year, the Vancouver, WA-based publisher has produced titles on JK Rowling, Charlaine Harris, Stephenie Meyer and Anne Rice. In fact, a trade paperback containing all four author biographies titled “Female Force: Best Sellers” is scheduled for a July 2011 release.

“Orbit,” according to Davis is a natural extension of the biography comic division established by Bluewater’s “Female Force,” “Fame,” and “Political Power.”

“Orbit” was launched in April 2011 with a focused skew towards a more male demographic. “When we weighed the possibilities of featuring personalities like King, Howard Stern, LeBron James, Gary Gygax and JRR Tolkien into our existing titles, the tone and tenor didn’t match. Their enduring popularity and contributions to popular culture are worthy of coverage, but they needed a different voice in which to present the material. ‘Orbit’ fits that bill”

The Walking Dead on DVD

Posted: March 8, 2011, 17:30

Today The Walking Dead is released on DVD and blu-ray. I got the chance to check out the DVD and here are my thoughts on it.

Season 2 of Haven soon to start shooting

Posted: March 8, 2011, 08:56

Sam Ernst wrote on twitter that they will start shooting season 2 of Haven three weeks from Friday. No premier date set yet though.

More 11/22/63

Posted: March 2, 2011, 16:34

Both Scribner and Hodder & Stoughton has promotion sites for 11/22/63. On Hodders you can see this image. I have no idea though if it's the cover of just a promotional image.

[edit] This is not the cover. Just something they will use to promote the book. It looks good though.

Scribners's 11/22/63 page
Hodder & Stoughton's 11/22/63 page

King's next book announced!

Posted: March 2, 2011, 16:32

On November 22, 1963, three shots rang out in Dallas,
President Kennedy died, and the world changed.

If you had the chance to change history, would you?
Would the consequences be worth it?

Jake Epping is a thirty-five-year-old high school English teacher in Lisbon Falls, Maine, who makes extra money teaching adults in the GED program. He receives an essay from one of the students—a gruesome, harrowing first person story about the night 50 years ago when Harry Dunning’s father came home and killed his mother, his sister, and his brother with a hammer. Harry escaped with a smashed leg, as evidenced by his crooked walk.

Not much later, Jake’s friend Al, who runs the local diner, divulges a secret: his storeroom is a portal to 1958. He enlists Jake on an insane—and insanely possible—mission to try to prevent the Kennedy assassination. So begins Jake’s new life as George Amberson and his new world of Elvis and JFK, of big American cars and sock hops, of a troubled loner named Lee Harvey Oswald and a beautiful high school librarian named Sadie Dunhill, who becomes the love of Jake’s life—a life that transgresses all the normal rules of time.

Dark Tower and Javier update

Posted: March 2, 2011, 14:48

Here is a report from MTV about the latest with The Dark Tower and Javier Bardem:

With the ever-changing, ever-flowing news cycle surrounding the goings on in the film industry these days, it gets tougher and tougher to get concerned parties to actually confirm or break news. Nevertheless, our tireless team of intrepid reporters here at MTV News will not give up in trying to push people for info! Like whenever we happen upon super producer Brian Grazer and pump him for details about "The Dark Tower," for example...

The last time we checked in with Grazer, the Roland casting process was moving along, but slowly. When I stopped him while on his way into the Vanity Fair Oscar party last Sunday, solely with the purpose of peppering him about the reported casting of Javier Bardem as the ruthless gunslinger, he seemed pleasantly puzzled by the fact that MTV is so interested in the project.

"'Dark Tower,' Javier Bardem, that's what we're hoping," Grazer said when I asked him for an update. "We're in the process of trying to put that together. Will that make you happy? Will that make MTV happy?"

Yes, I told him. Very happy! But has he officially signed Bardem onto the project?

"He's locked in psychologically," Grazer said. "He really wants to do it, so we're absolutely rooting for him to do it."

When asked to address other potential cast members, Grazer said they're too busy with Bardem.

"We're really just focused on Javier right now," he said.

Grazer went on to say that in addition to the challenges involved with locking in a lead actor, they'll have their hands full trying to roll-out the project across multiple platforms including film, TV and video games.

"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."

Thanks to Bev Vincent

And the winners are...

Posted: February 28, 2011, 10:57

The contest is over and three winners have been selected. But first the correct answers:

Question 1: What is the name of the publishing house that has released Stephen King on the Big Screen and Stephen King on the Small Screen?
Answer: 1: Intellect books

Question 2: Has King himself contributed to the books?
Answer: 2: No

Question 3: What is the author of Stephen King on the Small Screen last name?
Answer: 3: Browning

Question 4: What is the difference between small screen and big screen in this case besides the size?
Answer: 4: Small screen = TV, Big screen = Cinema

Question 5: Is Lilja’s Library cited in either of these books?
Answer: 5: No

And the winners are G W Henderson (New Zealand), Carrie Bouchard (USA) and Tim Connellan (United Kingdom). Congratulations!

The Walking Dead on DVD March 8

Posted: February 24, 2011, 23:32

I know this has nothing to do with King directly but since I’m a big fan of Frank Darabont as well and since he has the strong connection to King that he has I feel OK with posting this. Some of you might remember the cook press kit AMC sent out to promote Darabont’s new TV series The Walking Dead? Well, now Anchor Bay has sent out theirs for the DVD release on March 8. This one doesn’t have the small gun that the AMC one had but for starters the envelope it came in was very cool (wonder what the postman thought about that?) and the DVD is full of extra stuff.

Here is what you get:

- Making of “The Walking Dead”
- Inside “The Walking Dead”: Episode 1-6
- A sneak peek with Robert Kirkman
- Behind the scenes Zombie make-up tips
- Convention panel with producers
- “The Walking Dead” trailer
- Zombie school
- Bicycle girl
- On the set with Robert Kirkman
- Hanging with Steven Yeun
- Inside Dale’s RV
- On the set with Andrew Lincoln

So, whatever you do, don’t miss this one once it’s out on March 8! You can check out my review of the series here.

Review and contest

Posted: February 21, 2011, 00:22

Here are my review of Stephen King on the Big Screen and Stephen King on the Small Screen. And don't miss the chance to win these books in the contest!

Full Dark, No Stars in paperback

Posted: February 15, 2011, 13:17

Here is the cover for the US paperback ed. of Full Dark, No Stars (might be some changes done) that's being released on July 26. The UK paperback will be released on July 7 and will probably have the same cover as the hardback.

One For The Road being filmed

Posted: February 15, 2011, 00:30

One For The Road will be turned into a movie by Tim Sullivan according to Talk Stephen King. Read more here.

Thoughts on A Very Tight Place

Posted: February 14, 2011, 16:13

As I have reported earlier A Very Tight Place is being done as a Dollar Baby and I got the chance to check out the script. Read my thoughts of it here.

Next book in November

Posted: February 11, 2011, 20:24

It has now been confirmed (on King's message board) that the next book will be released in November 2011.

Thanks to Ari.

My review of Everything's Eventual

Posted: February 9, 2011, 15:30

Here is my review of the first featurelength Dollar Baby, Everything's Eventual.

Unboxing

Posted: February 8, 2011, 15:43

Looks like this thing called Unboxing is a lot bigger than I first realized. You have probably seen the video I posted where Scott unboxes a copy of my book. Today I got a link to a second unboxing of my book (unfortunately the link was broken) and this got me thinking. If anyone out there has done or found an unboxing of Lilja’s Library, send me the link and I’ll post it on the site.

King won't take a Stand

Posted: February 4, 2011, 10:28

The moderator on King's official board confirms that King won't be involved with the remake of The Stand.

10 things about The Stand

Posted: February 4, 2011, 08:52

Stephen King: 10 things I know about the remake of 'The Stand'

1. No one will be able to top Gary Sinise, who played Stu Redman in the original ABC miniseries. He was perfect. When he says “You don’t know nothing” to the soldiers who are putting him under mandatory quarantine, you believe his contempt completely. My runner-up pick would be Jake Gyllenhaal.

2. I didn’t know anything about the remake until I read about it on the Internet.

3. You absolutely can’t make it as a two-hour movie. If it was a trilogy of films…maybe.

4. Molly Ringwald won’t be playing Fran Goldsmith this time.

5. Rutger Hauer is a little too old to play the Walkin’ Dude, and that’s too bad.

6. People who’ve seen Kubrick’s The Shining dislike the miniseries I wrote (and my amigo Mick Garris directed) even if they haven’t seen it. That’s always annoyed me. But the wheel of karma turns! This time people will probably say, “The miniseries was lots better.” BUT…

7. …historically speaking, movie studios blow the budget on things like this, so maybe it’ll be fun to look at. The dough certainly isn’t going to me, although if it is a trilogy, and if it makes a lot of money, I might be able to buy a chicken dinner at Popeye’s. Great slaw!

8. Molly Ringwald will probably not play the Trashcan Man, either, but Billy Bob Thornton would be cool. Billy Bob’s always cool.

9. They need to write in a lot of heavy-metal for the soundtrack.

10. M-O-O-N, that spells “you probably won’t see this anytime soon.” And when you do, Woody Allen won’t be directing it. Or Molly Ringwald.

Thanks to Al Mattice

IT's out to directors

Posted: February 3, 2011, 08:48

Yesterday I spoke to David Kajganich and he told me something interesting about the remake of IT.

Apparently his script is currently out to directors, and some very interesting filmmakers have started talking to the studio. This can be a lengthy process, though, so there may not be more news about it for a couple of months but it's moving on as it should.

More remake news

Posted: February 3, 2011, 08:45

Several sources reports about Matt Greenberg is set to have a script ready for the remake of Pet Semetary soon:

According to Los Angeles Times, screenwriter Matt Greenberg (who also scripted the King adaptation 1408) "is set to turn in his script for a new version of the tale, according to a person briefed on the project who was not authorized to speak about it publicly. And executives at studio Paramount have put out the word to at least two representatives in the agent community that they are seeking a high-level director to tackle the material."

Thanks to Louis Sytsma.

Lilja's Library: Lettered

Posted: February 1, 2011, 22:13

I guess most of you remember that there is a lettered edition of my book on the way. Well, here is a taste of it. This isn’t the finished version but something called “no tips” and what that is, is a lettered edition of the book without the signature page. You can still see how nice it looks. The difference between this and the trade is the following:

New endpaper

Different cover (color and texture)

Different front

Satin ribbon page marker

These “no tips” where used in a Grab Bag that Cemetery Dance sold and there where less than 12 done.

Dark Tower Game?

Posted: February 1, 2011, 08:52

Looks like we'll have a Dark Tower game as well as a movie. This was reported by Ain't it Cool News:

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.

Thanks to Ari.

Time to take a Stand again?

Posted: February 1, 2011, 08:48

Warner and CBS are teaming up to make a big screen adaptation of The Stand. People have tried before without sucess so it'll be interesting to see how it goes this time.

Read more here.

Thanks to Alejandro Carmona, Randall Flagg and Louis Sytsma.

More Javier as Roland

Posted: January 27, 2011, 16:48

Here is a comment about Javier as Roland from the moderator of King's official board:

I have the official go-ahead to announce that Ron Howard/Universal has offered Javier Bardem the part of Roland. I do not know if he has accepted the offer but chances are they wouldn't make this announcement if he wasn't considering it. The announcement was made through Deadline Hollywood--here's the link for the full story.

Javier Bardem is Roland

Posted: January 27, 2011, 15:35

Mike Fleming of Deadline Hollywood is reporting that oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem will play Roland Deschain in the upcoming Dark Tower films and television series.

This is also reported by King's official site so it looks like it's the real deal this time.

The contracts have been signed

Posted: January 25, 2011, 11:21

There has been word that the Dark Tower movies/TV series hasn't been green lighted but here is what the moderator of King's official board said about it:

Steve just had a meeting with Ron Howard and Akiva Goldsman a couple weeks ago and the contracts have all been signed. I think he would have mentioned if there was a problem but he said the meeting went fine. My understanding is they're planning to start announcing casting choices, possibly this week.

Info on the next book

Posted: January 25, 2011, 11:19

In the interview with Marsha DeFilippo (see news below) she said King planed on revealing info about the next book at the end of the UStream some time ago but due to technical difficulties they didn’t. In the interview Marsha said info would be revealed around the time the next Scribner catalog is released which is in a few months. Don’t know though why they have pushed the revealing of the info a few months…

Interview with Marsha DeFilippo

Posted: January 25, 2011, 09:21

Here is an interview with Marsha DeFilippo from The King Cast.

Next Dollar Baby is...

Posted: January 25, 2011, 09:18

One for the Road is the next Dollar Baby to be made, made by Ricardo Rebelo. Read more here.

Howard talks some more Dark Tower

Posted: January 20, 2011, 16:39

When MTV spoke to Howard during the press day for his comedy "The Dilemma," he talked a bit about his plans for "The Dark Tower" series and how involved he will be.

"Right now what we're talking about is a movie and six or eight hours of television to bridge. My plan is to do most of those TV hours, if not all, and certainly the movies." And, in case you thought the roles of the main characters would be recast for the TV series, Howard confirmed that the actors from the films will indeed reprise their roles on the small screen.

Clip of Brian Grazer

Posted: January 20, 2011, 16:27

Here is a clip of Brian Grazer where he says we'll know who'll play Roland within a week.

And as a vice man told me (yes it was Bev Vincent), getting a big name attached to the movie might give them the 'go' they need...

The Dark Tower no 'go' yet?

Posted: January 20, 2011, 14:17

From an interview with Ron Howard published today (don't really know when it was done though):

How are things progressing with The Dark Tower?
"I'm working on it. We don't know if it's a 'go' but it is picking up a lot of momentum and a lot of creative momentum. I've had fantastic conversations with Stephen King. Akiva Goldsman, who wrote A Beautiful Mind, Cinderella Man and Da Vinci Code, is on it as a writer and also a producer and brought the project to me. We're already gathering this interesting team of people who love these genres - fantasy and horror. For me it's creatively very exciting. The possibilities are rich."

If this interview is done recently the fact that Howard says he don't know if it's a 'go' speaks against that we'll know in a week who'll play Roland...

Thanks to Bev Vincent

A Literary Companion, a new book by Wood

Posted: January 20, 2011, 08:39

I just found out that author Rocky Wood has a new book about King's work released in March. It's called Stephen King: A Literary Companion and it sounds really interesting.

This companion provides a two-part introduction to best-selling author Stephen King, whose enormous popularity over the years has gained him an audience well beyond readers of horror fiction, the genre with which is most often associated. Part I considers the reception of King’s work, the film adaptations that they gave rise to, the fictional worlds in which some of his novels are set, and the more useful approaches to King’s varied corpus. Part II consists of entries for each series, novel, story, screenplay and even poem, including works never published or produced, as well as characters and settings.

Read more about it here.

Dark Tower casting to be revealed soon?

Posted: January 19, 2011, 08:35

Comic Book Movie Fansite had an interesting article about the casting of The Dark Tower today. Apparently MTV caught up with producer Brian Grazer who had the following to say:

"...when we asked if he'd talked to the two actors about the part, he simply laughed and responded, 'Sure.' Grazer did say, however, that a casting announcement is imminent. How imminent? 'Within a week,' he said. Seriously? 'Seriously. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Seriously,' he assured us before asking, 'Who do you want?' Honestly, we'll take either of them. 'OK, great,' Grazer concluded."

This sounds a bit early but stranger things have happened. Personally I was hoping for an unknown actor but if it is down to Javier Bardem and Viggo Mortensen I'm hoping for Bardem.

Thanks to John Haberkorn

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