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By Michael Lopez

Even movie companies seem to be feeling the sting of the recession these days. After months of development and the casting of Javier Bardem, Universal Pictures has decided not to move forward with the film adaptation of Stephen King's epic, The Dark Tower.

"Epic" is probably the key word in this equation. You see, The Dark Tower wasn't just going to be a standalone film. Producers had wanted to turn King's seven-book series into a feature film trilogy and a TV show.

Obviously keeping Javier on board for all of those projects would require a pretty pricey contract. Plus, the story of The Dark Tower involves alternate universes, wizards, and mythical creatures, which wouldn't be cheap to create in a CGI studio.

So, the official word is Universal has put the project "on hiatus." But that doesn't mean another studio won't pick it up. As we all know, Warner Bros. recently ran out of Harry Potter movies and they could be on the hunt for a new cinematic epic.

What's your favorite all-time movie epic? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Javier Bardem, Movies & CineMás, Stephen King, The Dark Tower

By Michael Lopez

A while back we told you Javier Bardem was being seriously considered for a lead role in the film adaptation of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower. Now it looks like it’s nearly a done deal, with the Biutiful star attaching himself to a three-movie contract, as well as a role in a potential TV mini-series.

In all honesty, Hollywood is a little overdue for an epic. Film series like The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter don’t’ come along often, but when they do, they hook fans in for hours upon hours of cinematic entertainment. The Dark Tower seems to fall right along those lines, with a story than spans seven lengthy books!

Bardem would be taking on the role of Roland the Gunslinger, a wild west outlaw who finds himself mixed into a world of fantasy and horror. There are also plenty of other characters from the novels whose roles King fans are anxious to see filled. One major part would be for Susannah, the tough-as-nails female lead who many bloggers are recommending Zoe Saldana for.

Fans of The Dark Tower know the story is littered with tons colorful characters, including Jake the kid (perhaps Rico Rodriguez?) and Eddie the heroin addict wisecracker (who Russell Brand would be perfect for). But whoever gets considered better wipe their slate clean for a while, The Dark Tower's shooting schedule is set to last until at least 2016.

Who would you like to see star alongside Javier in The Dark Tower? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Books, Hot Stuff, Javier Bardem, Movies, Movies & CineMás, Stephen King, The Dark Tower

By Michael Lopez

Pet Semetary, The Shining, Carrie — Stephen King sure knows how to scare us. Now that Ron Howard plans to transform King's masterpiece Dark Tower series into a film, rumors are flying that Javier Bardem may play the lead role.

The Dark Tower western fantasy series, which so far contains seven novels, features good old-fashioned gunslinging amid elements of horror, sci-fi and fantasy in what King himself has described as his magnum opus.

With Akiva Goldsman, a creative force behind the paranormal sci-fi series Fringe, set to write the screenplay and Howard in the director's chair, the series adaptation is already getting some major buzz. And it's been reported that King's series will be broken into three films and a two-season TV show.

Of course, everyone's anxious to find out who will be cast for the lead role of weathered gunslinger Roland Deschain. Only two candidates remain: Bardem, who is receiving lots of acclaim for his performance in Biutiful, and Viggo Mortensen. We think both actors could pull off this role quite well, but we just can't get enough of Javier Bardem. Let’s hope Mr. Howard feels the same way.

Who would you cast as gunslinger Roland Deschain? Comment below or @MTV3.

Tags Akiva Goldsman, Books, Hot Stuff, Javier Bardem, Movies, Movies & CineMás, Ron Howard, Stephen King, The Dark Tower, Viggo Mortensen