Stephen King's 'Dark Tower' adaptation in doubt

Ron Howard's adaptation of Stephen King's Dark Tower series is reportedly in jeopardy over concerns about the project's budget.

Universal Pictures had planned to release a trilogy of films, separated by two television miniseries, in an effort to fully adapt King's seven-novel series.

However, studio executives are said to have started rethinking their plans, and may decide to put the project into turnaround.

Variety reports that Universal may put the project on hold to allow producers Imagine Entertainment to source another studio to help with financing, or may even cancel the project altogether.

The studio recently pulled out of producing Guillermo del Toro's proposed adaptation of At the Mountains of Madness over similar concerns stemming from the film's expected $150 million budget.

Last month it was reported that Javier Bardem was close to signing on to the project as lead character Roland Deschain.

The Dark Tower had been due to begin production this September for a launch in 2013.