The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed.

So begins Stephen King's Dark Tower epic, which has spanned seven novels, an ongoing series of comics, and forthcoming projects including a television series and a movie franchise.

Javier Bardem has long been rumored as a lock for the lead role of Roland Deschain, the Gunslinger, and rumor is set to become reality as Deadline reports:

Javier Bardem is close to sealing his deal with 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. Director Ron Howard begins production on the first film in September, and he’ll also direct the first TV segment. Akiva Goldsman has scripted the film and the initial TV component. Imagine Entertainment chief Brian Grazer is producing the films with Goldsman and King. Goldsman will produce the TV part through his Weed Road banner.