Dark Tower movie being made

[Brian G Turner]

'The Dark Tower' rises: Stephen King confirms stars Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey

After many years, and many attempts, a film version of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower is finally getting underway with Idris Elba confirmed as the gunslinger and Matthew McConaughey as the mystical foe known as the man in black.

 

[mtzGr]

Director is relatively new, but has had some success in Denmark, and worked on the screenplay for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo which I thought was really good. Hopefully they don't muck it up.

I guess the main talking point right now is Roland being black. Personally I don't mind as long as they make it work, I'm a fan of Elba's. Someone on iMDB brought up how the dynamic between Roland and Detta will be ruined, but I don't think it's that big a deal. Maybe they will make Susannah white.

 

[HareBrain]

Someone on iMDB brought up how the dynamic between Roland and Detta will be ruined

I think they'll certainly have to find some equivalent tension. There's also the issue of the Gilead backstory. Roland comes from a fairly close-knit society of noble families who have all lived in the area for centuries and (one assumes) all intermarry. If they don't make everyone from Gilead black, it would look a bit weird -- to a nit-picker like me, anyway. But I'd rather that than them just leave out all that Wizard and Glass stuff.

I'm looking forward to seeing Elba in the role, anyway.

 

[Frost Giant]

People are bringing up Eddie, Detta, etc. Who says any of these characters are going to be in the adaptation? Sony has decided that Tirana is the female lead now, no doubt based on their estimation of what would be most profitable. Sony studio execs only care about turning a profit, not about the artistic content of the source material. Their focus is on business, not doing King's work justice. My guess would be Tirana is going to be calculated to appeal to a certain demographic that will enhance Sony's financial returns. Letting studio execs direct a movie has never been a good idea. In my opinion it's good to have someone like James Cameron or Quentin Tarantino who actually tries to illustrate an artistic vision while giving a studio the finger when they try and ruin it. Even if this is a disappointment, maybe they can do an animated adaptation of Marvel's version next.

Great casting with Elba and McConaughey, but as for the rest I am very skeptical. A couple of additional links below may be of interest.

The Dark Tower Is Officially Happening, With A Major Twist

Why The Dark Tower Was Able To Escape Development Hell, According To Akiva Goldsman

 

[nixie]

Unless they are only going to do Gunslinger, I don't see how they make DT without Eddie and Detta....

 

[mtzGr]

But I'd rather that than them just leave out all that Wizard and Glass stuff.

Wizard and Glass was probably my favorite book, but I could see most of it getting scrapped for now, and made later if the movie/trilogy/whatever it is they have planned is successful enough. Even so, I don't think they'd need to make everyone black.

 

[Frost Giant]

nixie - "Unless they are only going to do Gunslinger, I don't see how they make DT without Eddie and Detta...."

I actually wouldn't mind if they based an adaptation solely on the first edition of the first book. In my opinion it was a mistake for him to go back and re-edit the original, I liked it the way it was written the first time. But if they're gong to delve into something like The Wastelands (my second favorite after the first edition first book) you're quite right - they should include all the original characters like Detta and Eddie. But maybe a Sony exec will just say "oh, Detta's dialogue can come from that Tirana character now. Good enough." Because as far as Eddie, Detta or anyone else the studio can do as they please. They can add (in the case of Tirana becoming the female lead), subtract or merge any characters they want. They can cut whatever sequences or books they choose.
I would've preferred that they go with the HBO series option when they had it That would have had the best chance for artistic integrity and unflinching adherence to the books. With Sony it's all about selling merchandise, having a family friendly PG rating and the financial bottom line. Sony is one of the worst meddlers when it comes to execs deforming the final product.

I hope my misgivings are unfounded and they produce a great film or series of films. They do have 2 great actors and well written material for the most part, hopefully that's sufficient.

 

[zlogdan]

I was initially worried because the producers cast Idris Alba as Roland ( Alba is a excellent actor btw ) which is not Black in the book, yet, we had a previous similar thing with "shawshank redemption", with very positive outputs, where the character Red was Irish in the book and Morgan Freeman ( perhaps the greatest living actor ) played Red in the movie and frankly I could not see any better option or any other person playing Red. So, I am looking forward for this film.

 

[Toke]

Years ago I stopped hoping that anything good would ensue from these book-to-film projects. They always find a way to deliberately f**k it up somehow. Usually the fault lies in the amateurish script that begs attention and money. That begs a comfortable ride for all ages. But that's all right with me. I always have the books. My main worry is still though that all the new potential fans judge the series by the films. This seems illogical but this is what people do. Rare are the people that can find the strength to read a novel after a film. I myself find it even hard to check out the movie after the book I am currently reading the fifth book by George Martin and it's a bit annoying when the whole world around you is full of spoilers. The reading feels like a race. But it probably is as Stephen King himself said: "Spoilers are for pussies."

 

[zlogdan]

I had just watched the first season of Thrones when I mentioned to a friend, which was - I did not know - a big fan of the books. During this talk I was convinced not to watch the series before I read the books. Some years later I have acquired the first five books on Kobo, but I still question myself as to I should or not read book 1 before book 2. But I do my best to ignore all the hype on Thrones TV show because as you said spoilers can come when you least expect although I admit this is not easy . I myself watched Lord Of The Rings animated film before reading the book and I also watched Dune before reading the book. While I was completely blown away by the films when I watched and re-watched them, the books are a lot better, they are incomparable. But in reality, it is far more easier to see people getting content with just the movies than those that will read them after watching the film. See how many movies were made based on P.K Dick and still he is sadly an unknown writer outside of science fiction fandom.

 

[Frost Giant]

Looks like they are adding Jackie Earle Haley to the cast as Richard Sayre. He was very good as Rorschach in Watchmen.

 

[Frost Giant]

An Image that Idris Elba posted of him as Roland (complete with smartphone?)

 

[Frost Giant]

These are the most detailed articles I've seen on the film yet:

'The Dark Tower': Matthew McConaughey awaits the end of the world as The Man in Black

The interview with McConaughey was interesting, it was good to hear his take on the character.

No Eddie or Susannah (at least not this time around):

The big changes 'The Dark Tower' will make to Stephen King's books

It seems like they prefer a slicker, more city based setting as opposed to the original, gritty frontier setting. King's comment about it almost being a Horn of Eld reset sequel is somewhat amusing, given the general reaction to the appendix of the final volume.

'The Dark Tower': Idris Elba on breathing fire into Stephen King's Gunslinger

I have confidence in the actors they chose, I guess we'll just have to see how the adaptation comes out in the end.

 

[Nick B]

I'm really looking forward to this, for two reasons - 1, I havn't read the books but always wanted to, and 2, Idris Elba. He has been fantastic in everything I have so far seen him in.

The only downside, is the worry that Kings books-made-into-films have often been disapointing. I'm not really sure why they often do disapoint, but they do. Not always though, so lets hope this ones a winner.

 

[Frost Giant]

The slideshow images in that article might help assuage your fears a little. Otherwise, we'll just have to wait and see.

 

[Frost Giant]

Another article this morning. Looks like a tentative release date of February 17, 2017.

Why The Dark Tower Is Able To Rearrange Stephen King's Books When Doing This Movie - CINEMABLEND

 

[BAYLOR]

Idris Elba in the Role of Roland and Matthew McConaughey as the Man in Black is superb casting.

But Im hoping they don't change around the story beyond recognition.

 

[philzilla]

No Edward Cantor "Eddie" Dean, No sale.

 

[nixie]

Watched a piece on nerdist news. Feeling a little better about no Eddie and Detta. This is going to be a sort of sequel. Roland has retrieved the Horn of Eld, as a reader of the books I believed everytime Roland reached the tower everything was rebooted and his journey started a new but with subtle difference.
In the books the horn was lost now he has it back his journey this time will lead him to a different ka-tet.

 

[Frost Giant]

I didn't know they were addressing the Horn of Eld aspect in their story. It's an interesting take on the idea that might help satisfy some folks who disliked the reboot end of the last book. Thanks for the info, Nixie!