Stephen King is expressing his enthusiasm about the recently announced feature film trilogy and network television adaption of his epic novel series "The Dark Tower."

Universal Pictures and NBC Universal Television Entertainment will produce the groundbreaking project, which will jointly chronicle the popular tale.

Ron Howard ("Da Vinci Code") will direct the first feature film and Season 1 of the television series based on scripts from Akiva Goldsman ("I Am Legend," "Fringe").

"I always thought it would take more than a single movie, but I didnt see this solution coming -- i.e., several movies and TV series," King said in an interview with EW.com "It was Ron [Howard] and Akiva [Goldsman]s idea. Once it was raised, I thought at once it was the solution."

King is particularly pleased with Howard's approach to storytelling and sees the director as the perfect candidate for the job.

"When working as a director, Ron is very similar to the way I work as a writer," King explained. "We both tell honest stories that have [I flatter myself] style and substance but not a lot of show-offy frills."

One aspect of the story that will acquire adjustment is its bloody nature. With "The Dark Tower" airing on network television and not on cable, censorship issues will be a concern for Howard's adaptation. King isn't concerned, however.

"I dont see that as a problem at all!" he said. "Well have just enough latitude to make a great series. Ive worked in network TV before, and every time I was squeezed a little, it just made me look for creative solutions. Besides, I always like to play in the biggest auditorium available!"

"The Dark Tower" includes seven books and fuses elements of fantasy and horror with the western genre. The books follow Roland Deschain -- the last of a knightly order of gunslingers -- as he takes on a quest to save the world and secure the key to the nexus of all universes.