Is the ambitious project to bring The Dark Tower to screens in trouble even before it gets started?

That may be the case according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Comcast is apparently balking at the huge price tag associated with bringing the Stephen King series to life in a series of three films and television series.

Comcast is the new owner of Universal and could be unhappy with the overall plan.   The Hollywood Reporter cites multiple sources saying the project could be in danger of being put into turnaround.  That would mean development would cease and they’d go back to the drawing board.

“Dark Tower is not in turnaround,” Rosenberg tells THR, adding “there are issues and on-going budget discussions with almost every film in development.”

A Universal spokesperson declined to comment.

Two sources close to the project say that Comcast executives have heavily scrutinized the plan, mainly due to budgetary concerns. The sources also say that the final portion of the project has been found creatively lacking.

A final decision is said to be expected soon on whether to move forward, seek additional financing partners or cancel the project entirely. But cast and crew have been told to stop prepping the project.

If Dark Tower does become available to other studios, it won’t be a cheap project to take on. Insiders say that Universal paid $5 million for the rights. That doesn’t include the hefty fees for Howard, Grazer and Goldsman, not to mention Oscar-winner Bardem’s fees for not only the movie but the TV show (he’d be paid more than the average TV star).

Warner Bros. is one potential home for the project. The studio vied for Dark Tower rights last year and is already developing The Stand, King’s post-apocalyptic mega-novel. Insiders say Warners would at least kick the tires on Dark Tower.

Another potential home is Sony, for whom Imagine and Goldman made The Da Vinci Code and its sequel, Angels & Demons.