Fans of Stephen King have long waited for a film adaptation of his epic book series "The Dark Tower," which features the gunslinger Roland Deschain, according to Deadline. But now that wait is over as Sony Pictures moves forward with the project.

Sony has even tapped Nikolaj Arcel to helm the project. Arcel is best known as the co-writer of the Swedish film "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" and directing "A Royal Affair," which featured breakout performances by Alicia Vikander and Mads Mikkelson ("Hannibal"). "A Royal Affair" was also nominated for an Academy Award for best foreign film.

Arcel taught himself to speak and read English in order to consume the Stephen King books for which he is about to transport to the big-screen. He said he was trying to get a feel for the material in the author's native tongue.

There have been eight books in King's series. The first conception of the idea to bring it to the big screen was at Universal, then it went to Warner Bros where it was subsequently sent to Sony.

The script is a lean screenplay that is based on the first book, "The Gunslinger," which establishes the relationship between Roland Deschain and Jake Chambers. King is known for interweaving several characters from his popular novels into the "Dark Tower" books, which includes characters Father Callahan from "Salem's Lot," Randall Flag from "The Stand" and Ralph Roberts from "Insomnia."

Most of King's works do have interwoven characters, but only those that are based in the same town. "The Dark Tower" is the only one that takes characters from all fictional towns and puts them into one universe.

The current draft of the screenplay for this project was written by Akiva Goldsman and Jeff Pinker. Stars that have expressed interest in the lead role are Javier Bardem and Russell Crowe.

Deadline also reports that King normally gives options for his movies, where he attaches a short leash. But this one has been given a longer leash, which means that the director and producers will have more say over the project's casting and direction.