Javier Bardem Set to Play Roland in 'The Dark Tower'

by Jordan Yerman | April 7, 2011 at 01:36 pm

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Javier Bardem as Roland Deschain in The Dark Tower

Academy Award winner Javier Bardem is set to play Roland Deschain in an ambitious film- and TV adaptation of Stephen King's seven-novel series The Dark Tower. The series will be adapted into three feature films starring Bardem, as well as a TV series that will run between each film installment. The first film, at least, will be directed by Ron Howard.

The Dark Tower can best be described as a post-apocalyptic alternate-reality Western. It is inspired by the Robert Browning poem "Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came", which is in turn inspired by a line in Shakespeare's King Lear. (Act 3, Scene 4)

The deal isn't done, but it's as good as done:

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.

Aint It Cool News speculates on the extent of Javier Bardem's involvement in the television component:

I'd imagine that part of the TV series would cover the events of WIZARD AND GLASS, and since the characters in that are younger, I don't think they would be casting Bardem for Roland in that except in brief moments.