Three  feature length motion pictures and two television mini-series will bring the seven (almost eight) Stephen King Dark Tower novels to life in 2013.  King has adapted the screen play and Ron Howard is slated to direct after the likes of J.J. Abrams had turned it down.  It will take three years to make the whole thing.

Javier Bardem has been cast as Roland Deschain.  No word on anyone else.

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There is a lot of negative reaction to Spanish born Bardem playing a role that Stephen King envisioned as Clint Eastwood.  Personally, I think it is a terrific choice.  Bardem is a transformative actor.  Slimmed down and accent neutral (technically Roland is not American either) he will be very compelling in filling those boots.  In the first book, the character has to age and Bardem is capable of transforming from early thirties to early fifties easily.

There is NOT a lot of negative talk about Ron Howard being put at the helm.  These books have a following comparable to The Lord of the Rings.  Ron Howard....well, he has Willow as far street cred for world building.  I think that choice is far more disappointing.