In a somewhat nebulous statement, Brian Grazer has confirmed to MTV News that Javier Bardem isn’t just a likely candidate for leading the multi-platform Dark Tower franchise, the actor is willing and eager to play the part of Roland Deschain, the Gunslinger.
“He’s locked in psychologically,” Grazer told the site, “He really wants to do it, so we’re absolutely rooting for him to do it.”
While that means that Bardem isn’t necessarily a sure thing, his schedule is theoretically the only thing keeping him joining the project at this point. Matters are no doubt somewhat complicated by Bardem also close to joining Sam Mendes James Bond film, a role he also still hasn’t officially committed to.
Envisioned as three films and a television series (to star the same cast), The Dark Tower will bring to the screen King’s fantasy epic that spreads across seven published novels. Ron Howard plans to direct the first part of the series and would at least oversee the rest of the massive adaptation.
Bardem most recently appeared in Biutiful in a part that has landed him an Academy Award nomination. (He previously won a Best Supporting Actor award for his part in 2008’s No Country for Old Men).
The Dark Tower has a tentative release date of May 17, 2013.
