A Royal AffairfilmmakerNikolaj Arcelis about to enter negotiations to direct Sony’s long-awaited adaptation ofStephen King’sThe Dark Tower. The filmmaker, who was born and raised in Denmark, actually learned English primarily so he could readStephen King’s original novels in the author’s native tongue.Nikolaj Arcelis a huge fan of the sprawling novel series, and his knowledge of the books impressed the studio and surely helped in getting him the job.
The Dark Towerwas initially set up at Universal Pictures, who planned on making a movie trilogy along with a limited run TV series that would air between each movie. The multi-faceted adaptation eventually fell apart at Universal, and was briefly at Warner Bros. before Sony Pictures picked up the project back in April. The studio is teaming with Media Rights Capital (MRC) to co-finance the movies, and develop a “complimentary TV series” as well.
Akiva GoldsmanandJeff Pinknerwrote the most recent version of the screenplay, which was reworked from earlier versions that were considered much too expensive to film. The script is adapted fromThe Gunslinger, the first book inStephen King’s seven-novel series.Nikolaj Arcelwill oversee a new rewrite of the script, but it isn’t known if Sony is seeking new writers, or ifAkiva GoldsmanandJeff Pinknerwill take another crack at the script themselves.Ron Howard, who was initially set to direct when the project was at Universal, is now producing alongside his Imagine Entertainment partnersBrian Grazerand Erica Huggins, along withAkiva GoldsmanandStephen King.
Nikolaj Arcelpreviously directed the critically-acclaimedA Royal Affair, which received an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Film. He also directed Island of Lost Souls and he is attached to makeFables, which is currently being rewritten byJane Goldman. The filmmaker also co-wrote the screenplay adaptation for the original Swedish version ofThe Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, along with Rasmus Heisterberg.
