Universal Pictures and sister company NBC Universal Television Entertainment have massive plans to adapt The Dark Tower, the sprawling series of horror-fantasy novels by Stephen King. Up first is a Dark Tower feature film, the first in a planned trilogy. Ron Howard will direct, Javier Bardem will play Roland Deschain. Then NBC will premiere a Dark Tower television series to bridge the gaps between films. Deadline reports Mark Verheiden has signed on to co-write and executive produce the series with Akiva Goldsman (Fringe).

Prior reports suggest the first TV season serves as a prequel. After the release of the second film, Bardem will take over the role for the second season. Verheiden’s resume is steeped in genre fare: Smallville, Battlestar Galactica, Heroes, Caprica. More recently, Verheiden was co-executive producer on the alien invasion series Falling Skies, which premieres June 19 on TNT.

Read a synopsis for the Dark Tower series after the break.