The last we heard about The Dark Tower was that Universal had dropped the ambitious Stephen King adaptation from Ron Howard and Brian Grazer. Then HBO had picked it up to make a series that could rival Game of Thrones.

Last night Deadline reported that HBO’s sister studio, Warner Bros., is in deep negotiations to revive the films. Howard would get a chance to direct the first feature and Javier Bardem would retain the possibility of starring, as long as his schedule works out.

The original arrangement with Universal included three movies and two TV movies, which would be the most ambitious film project since Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings. It would make sense for Warner Bros and HBO to collaborate on a project, they are sister companies after all.

I love that Warner Bros. wants to take this risk, but I’m not sure if Howard is the director for this series. The Dark Tower needs to be a bit edgy. Christopher Nolan or Peter Jackson may be better options. If HBO keeps a Dark Tower TV show in development that is awesome, however. HBO can do anything. [Deadline]

brian grazer, javier bardem, ron howard, the dark tower, warner bros