King holds out hope for 'Dark Tower' films

LOS ANGELES, July 20 (UPI) -- U.S. author Stephen King says he has faith director Ron Howard will bring his "Dark Towers" books to the screen despite some recent setbacks.

Universal Pictures this week canceled plans to have Howard shoot films and a TV series based on King's western-tinged fantasy novels.

"I'm sorry Universal passed, but not really surprised," King said in an e-mail to EW.com Wednesday. "As a rule, they've been about smaller and less risky pix; maybe they feel it would be better to stick with those fast and furious racing boys. I bear them no ill will, and trust Ron Howard to get Roland and his friends before the camera somewhere else. He's very committed to the project."