We have an awesome update to the long saga to bring the long saga The Dark Tower to the screen. AICN interviewed Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad) at Sundance. Last year, he tweeted that playing 23-year-old heroin addict Eddie Dean in The Dark Tower is a “HUGE dream” of his. Now it might be more than just a dream.
When AICN mentioned the role, Aaron Paul said, “I’ve had a ton of meetings on that. I just had a general sit down with Ron Howard, who is a huge fan of the show [Breaking Bad], which is such a crazy thing to even think that Ron Howard even knows who I am. They’re definitely planning on making it.”
This is the first we’ve heard about him being considered for the part, and he’s had multiple meetings including one with director Ron Howard himself. Celebratory dance break!
There’s also a rumor via Schmoes Know, who report an anonymous source saying Liam Neeson is interested in The Dark Tower, and their source also says it will be a TV series — possibly on Netflix as previously rumored — with a budget of 60 million. As far as we know, Russell Crowe is still signed to play Roland Deschain, so we’re not certain which role Neeson may be interested in if this rumor proves true.
Last we heard, Ron Howard was saying The Dark Tower had been delayed but had “never gone away”. Originally, the eight books in the series were adapted as three feature films with two seasons of a TV show to bridge the films. Both Warner and Universal passed. Then Media Rights Capital took over using their pile of cash from unexpected hit Ted.
Yes, this project was saved by an anthropomorphic teddy bear who cusses at Mark Wahlberg. If this ends up being made, and Aaron Paul plays Eddie Dean with Liam Neeson replacing Crowe as the gunslinger, it’ll be one of the best comebacks ever.