Massive plans for “The Dark Tower”

News broke in April that director Ron Howard (“The Da Vinci Code,” “A Beautiful Mind”) was planning on adapting Stephen King’s “The Dark Tower” series into both a film and a TV series. 

Now, an official announcement from Universal has been made this week, and it looks like there are big plans being set for this potential franchise, as there will be three films and an NBC TV series. 

First, the TV series will immediately follow the first film, which will be directed by Howard Goldsman and written byAkiva Goldsman (“I, Robot,” “I am Legend”).

The first season of the TV series will serve as a bridge to the second film, which will be followed by the second season and then the third film “and beyond.” 

This complex epic consists of seven novels (with an eighth possibly on the way) that tell the story of the last member of an order of gunslingers, combining the American Old West with magical elements and alternate realities.

 “Heroes” TV movie isn’t happening

 When “Heroes” was cancelled after its fourth season, series creator Tim Kring said that he and NBC were working on a deal to make a TV movie that would bring more closure to the series. But now that the actors involved with the series have moved on to greener pastures, the chances for this film to happen seemed slim. 

According to Entertainment Weekly, a key source involved with the project has stated that NBC will not move forward with the TV movie. 

The superhero series was met with critical acclaim and popularity for its first season, but soon met criticism and a huge loss of its fan base for its following three seasons. 

Fans can now hope for some closure in the possibility of novels or comic books that may continue the franchise.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Bilbo Baggins

 While MGM’s financial struggles have put an indefinite hold on projects such as the next James Bond film, news for the upcoming two-part “The Hobbit” film continues to surface, which may give hope that the films will be released sometime soon.

 MGM and New Line Cinema are reportedly talking to Martin Freeman (“The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” “Hot Fuzz”) for the role of Bilbo Baggins. 

Freeman currently stars in the BBC series “Sherlock,” so the studios and the actor are trying to work out a schedule to fit filming around his TV commitment.

 

Lisbeth Salander to join “Sherlock Holmes”

 The American adaptation of Stieg Larsson’s first novel in his “Millennium” trilogy, “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” is still in pre-production, but the three books of the series have all been adapted and released in Sweden since 2009. 

Noomi Rapace, the Swedish actress who played Lisbeth Salander in the trilogy, has been praised for her portrayal of the brilliant hacker, with some believing that she will be nominated for a Best Actress Oscar. 

The Swedish adaptation for “Dragon Tattoo” was released in the United States this year. This has gained Hollywood’s attention, and now Rapace has been cast as the female lead in Guy Ritchie’s “Sherlock Holmes 2.” 

Details about the film are few, but according to reports she will play a French gypsy. Rapace has also been in talks to star alongside Jeremy Renner (“The Hurt Locker”) in Paramount’s horror-comedy “Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters.”

 Keanu a Member of “Generation Um”

 Keanu Reeves has mostly been distinguished as an A-list actor appearing in A-list films, but he has also been involved with various indie films throughout his career. 

It now seems that he will star in another indie with writer-director Mark L. Mann’s “Generation Um.” Also starring Bojana Novakovic (“Edge of Darkness”) and Adelaide Clemens (upcoming “Mad Max: Fury Road”), the film is about a man (Reeves) who spends his day immersing himself in sex, drugs and indecision. Filming started in New York City on Sept. 9.