Javier Bardem secures deal for 'Dark Tower', passes on Bond 23?

Deadline reports that Spaniard Javier Bardem is closing a deal for a cinematic recreation of Stephen King's series of novels.

All being well Bardem will sign to Universal Pictures to play gunslinger Roland Deschain in The Dark Tower, the mammoth adaptation of the Stephen King 7-novel series that’ll span three movies and a limited run TV series in between each film.

Deadline revealed in late January that Bardem had been offered the role of Deschain, who becomes humanity’s last hope to save civilization as he hits the road to find the Dark Tower. Along the way, he encounters characters, good and bad, in a world that has an old West feel.

Bardem was being courted to play a role in Sam Mendes James Bond film, curretly dubbed Bond 23. It is unclear whether the Dark Tower deal will preclude the star's involvement in the 007 flick, however, it is possible that he would have room in his schedule for both series, with Bond 23 opening in November 2012 and The Dark Tower coming May 2013.

Thanks to `Samuel` for the alert.

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