J.J. Abrams Won't Direct 'Dark Tower' Adaptation

In last night's still air, one could hear a faint but constant wail not unlike a tired banshee. Those were Stephen King fanatics mourning the passing of J.J. Abrams' film adaption of 'The Dark Tower.' Early this summer, it seemed Abrams and his partner, Damon Lindelof, were still developing the project. However, the 'Star Trek' director just told MTV News, "'The 'Dark Tower' thing is tricky. It's such an important piece of writing. The truth is that Damon and I are not looking at that right now."

That confirmed suspicions that arose after Abrams told USA Today in October, "You'll be hard-pressed to find a huger fan of 'The Dark Tower' than me, but that's probably the reason that I shouldn't be the one to adapt it."

Many agree with his fandom of the book series and consider it King's finest work. The author himself has called it his "magnum opus." Made up of seven novels that follow a gunslinger's quest towards a physical and metaphorical tower, it seamlessly combines fantasy, horror, and spaghetti-western elements. Adams' ability to blend fantastical genres would have made him perfect. Unfortunately, that means the work will likely to fall into less-capable hands since studios are starving for new film dynasties.

Instead the prolific writer/produce/director will busy himself with the final season of 'Lost,' 'Fringe,' 'Mission: Impossible IV,' smoothing William Shatner's ego into the 'Star Trek' sequel, an apocalypse-like movie called '500 Rads,' a comedy with Harrison Ford called 'Morning Glory,' and a half dozen other projects. He tries to keep much of his future secret, so optimists can still choose to believe his 'Dark Tower' comments are only meant to throw the media off track.