MovieChat Forums > The Dark Tower (2017) Discussion > Actor who could have been a good Roland....

Actor who could have been a good Roland...

posted 8 years ago by StormBringer328
19 replies | jump to latest

Warning: This thread is not intended as a place for bashing Idris Elba as Roland. This is not a place for discussing skin color, race, etc. I acknowledge it as a Pipe Dream.

I was watching the new In the Valley of Violence this morning and mid way thru the film it struck me how well Ethan Hawke embodied Roland a bit. Not a perfect match and I've never that of Hawke as an amazing actor or anything, but it's necessary to be amazing to get the job done.

If you are not familiar, In the Valley of Violence is a revenge western out recently. I haven't seen Magnificent 7 yet (but will sooner or later). But something about Hawke in ItVoV really struck me as familiar and I realized how well Hawke resembled Roland. Not perfect, but close. I imagined Rolands voice as being different than Hawke, and maybe Roland would be a little taller, but he'd have been pretty good IMO. I had never considered him in my Roland shortlist before.

Of no consequence now, of course, but just wanted to share all the same.

[–] Sawyer_Lost 8 years ago

It would certainly have been interesting to see what he would do with the part. He got the haggard look, a fantastic, rough voice and blue eyes as well. However, I do think that Roland's character might be a tad too difficult for him to pull it off, I don't think he's as intense an actor as Idris Elba. Also, a bit to small maybe? But hey, I could be wrong, always really liked the guy.

Books are a uniquely portable magic. ~Stephen King

[–] StormBringer328 8 years ago

Yeah, he's got a few things going for him, but a few against him too. He's not as tall, but he's def got the look. I was surprised that I had never considered him for Roland tho, when I had thought about a film adaptation for many years.

I had thought about Thomas Jane a lot too, but he doesn't quite fit either. But average out ability, I think he'd of been fun to see too. I've always liked Jane. A shame he never got to do Punisher again. The Dirty Laundry short was fantastic.

[–] jerryhammond38 8 years ago

I need to watch that movie. Hawke is one of my favorite actors,but I have never pictured him az Roland.

I have probably watched him in too many Linklater movies, but I can't picture him as the strong silent type.

[–] sommdude 8 years ago

It's funny, as I read the series I always imagined Ethan Hawke as Eddie. Of course he is too old for the part now, but back in the day I thought he would be perfect.

I'm a Gunslinger. I deal in hard calibers.

[–] StormBringer328 8 years ago

He would have been a good Eddie in his younger days.

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] ButcherOfTull 8 years ago

He is from Tremors hahaha. The first two with him in it. Were fun:)

[–] oki9Sedo 8 years ago

He's an excellent actor, but he's not nearly formidable enough. Roland is an intimidating, formidable man. Idris Elba does have that quality, to be fair.

 If at first you don't succeed, you're not Chuck Norris

[–] tyson-washburn 8 years ago

Do you think you went to Ethan Hawke because he looks like the drawings of Roland on the books? I always thought Jon Hamm could be good (They would have to make him look older). I think he posses a more kingly look then Ethan Hawke. That being said I do think Idris Elba has a Kingly look to him. I do think his frame is a little to big for the role. I always thought of Roland being slightly gangly. My main worry is not with the cast. The main characters so far are all great or very good actors. I do worry about how clean the movie may look. I like films which have dirt in them. IE... Mad Max Series, The Old Star Wars films, District 9. I hope you get my meaning.

[–] StormBringer328 8 years ago

I get your meaning, sure. What brought Hawke up as a contender, for me, was seeing him in the newish Valley of Violence. While not a great or original film, it was entertaining. And hawke was great as an ex-union soldier with a haunted past (indian killer). Seeing him in this movie just sparked the thought of him being semi- OK choice for Roland.

[–] danilochen 8 years ago

When i was reading The Gunslinger, Viggo Mortense came to my mind...

[–] WhenGreyjoysCry 8 years ago

I could see Hugh Jackman as Roland, or Chrsitian Bale, but not Idris Elba

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]