MovieChat Forums > The Dark Tower (2017) Discussion > Hopes For the Movie?

Hopes For the Movie?

posted 8 years ago by joannatn
37 replies | jump to latest

Okay, I wanted to start what (I hope) can shape up to be a safe topic!

So since we have very little work with aside from a few photos, what are some of the key elements OF THE STORY we're hoping are included in the movie? While every movie makes changes, are there any scenes that you hope remain remarkably similar (if not precisely to the letter) to how it was written?

It's been a long time since I read the book, and as payday grows nigh I hope to have that particular problem remedied soon, but I do remember loving Roland's introduction to Jake and then their interactions thereafter. I do so hope the actors can develop the chemistry needed to pull off their unique relationship.

And please, please, please don't make this about Roland's physical characteristics! I know he was white. I do. I know I'm a racist hypocrite for not being opposed to the casting (I'm even Asian to make this matter even worse)! I just want this post to be about the story, and I want this to be a safe place where we can all, like... enjoy things. Just let people enjoy things!

Aaaaaand go!

[–] wolfdamage 8 years ago

The scene where Roland and the Man in Black sit by the fire and the cards are drawn is one of the greatest scenes from the story. I would hope that this scene remains "untouched" but from what I understand from the current script, Roland is more hellbent on revenge than he is interested in pursuing the Tower. It is supposedly Jake who centers Roland from blind rage and re-grounds him again with the crucial aspect of getting to the Tower before the Beams are destroyed. This is what I have read from the most recently available script and am guessing that it will remain a key element to Roland and Jake's relationship.

[–] joannatn 8 years ago

See, I'm avoiding the script. I've already read the books so I of course have my hopes/expectations in place, but if I read the script my head might explode!

[–] soulpatrol76 8 years ago

To be fair the gunslinger was really centered around Roland catching up to and killing Walter. I mean the first thing he did when he caught up to him was unload both guns. So essentially it was a revenge story with of course a lot more.

[–] soulpatrol76 8 years ago

I wanna see or rather hear idris yell Ka! And talk about ka.

[–] tylerrepotter 8 years ago

I also await the zoom out from the campfire scene through the universe to the rose petals in that vacant lot.

[–] sugrnspyce4 8 years ago

Ooh - good topic. :) Let's see...

I'd definitely say the whole situation surrounding Jake's final essay, as well as when he first encounters the rose in the vacant lot. I'd also like to see Jake's confrontation with the Dutch Mansion demon play out mostly as written. (I say "mostly" because I know the end of it will play out differently since Eddie and Susannah won't be there to help him come through. But I'd love to see the majority of that scene play out as is.)

And as someone else already mentioned, I really hope the palaver between Roland and Walter plays out very similar to the book.

[–] SherlockedAndLoaded 8 years ago

I'm trying to keep my expectations low, as I've been burned by Hollywood and their adaptations to many time to count, but I'm also hoping for Roland and Walter's palaver to be shown. I highly doubt it will be, but a girl can dream.

My only real hope is that the film does well enough for Sony to greenlight the rest of the series.

And they don't screw up the rest of the Ka-Tet.

[–] sugrnspyce4 8 years ago

I'm trying to keep my expectations low, as I've been burned by Hollywood and their adaptations to many time to count, but I'm also hoping for Roland and Walter's palaver to be shown. I highly doubt it will be, but a girl can dream.

I feel the same way. I did hear somewhere (in one of Idris's interviews, maybe?) that we'll be getting some kind of showdown between Roland and Walter, so we'll most likely get some species of "the palaver on the Golgotha," even if it doesn't play out like the one in the books. But I agree - a girl can dream indeed. :)

My only real hope is that the film does well enough for Sony to greenlight the rest of the series.

Here here! 👍

[–] tinasparklesau 8 years ago

I love Jake's essay. He's losing his mind yet the teacher read it as a piece of abstract brilliance. I'd love to see this happen but i wonder how they can incorporate this if Roland hasn't already begun the paradox between them? As it looks like we're losing the Waystation, i'd like to see Tull as 1:1 as possible.

[–] Captain_Wesker 8 years ago

As it looks like we're losing the Waystation

I cannot tell if this something you know for certain (by reading a script?) or are making an informed guess on. Your choice of wording could go either way.

Hopefully it isn't the former. Not everyone here has read a script associated with this film nor wants to .

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It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing .

[–] tinasparklesau 8 years ago

Actually, i recall this being spoken about by people that had read the original script long before any real spoilers came out directly. After a labelled spoiler did imply this, i have assumed that this is the case IF the original script is intact. I would say an informed guess, so i am happy to black this if you feel this should have a spoiler alert :)

[–] sugrnspyce4 8 years ago

I love Jake's essay. He's losing his mind yet the teacher read it as a piece of abstract brilliance. I'd love to see this happen but i wonder how they can incorporate this if Roland hasn't already begun the paradox between them? As it looks like we're losing the Waystation, i'd like to see Tull as 1:1 as possible.

Me too. Not only is it intriguing to see how the paradox affects both Roland and Jake, it's also relatable since a lot of us know what it's like to think you completely bombed an essay, test, etc. only to have the teacher think it was a stroke of genius lol.

Something just occurred to me: Since it's been stated that the movie will start "in the middle of the story," what if the paradox is already in process at the start? If that's the case, I'm interested to see how they'll go about that without Eddie and Susannah present yet. But if that's not the case, I'm thinking they might skip over the whole paradox thing and just rely on Jake having visions as the reason he thinks he's losing his mind. Going that direction, they could still include the scenario with his final essay if they imply or show he wrote it while he was having visions of Mid-World.

As for the way station and Tull, I would really like to see those too. I think if we do, it'll probably be as flashbacks.

[–] tinasparklesau 8 years ago

it's also relatable since a lot of us know what it's like to think you completely bombed an essay, test, etc. only to have the teacher think it was a stroke of genius lol.

 absolutely! My essay days are long gone, but i habitually left them to the last minute just to pull an all nighter with a caffeine addled brain only to find out the teacher loved my (apparent) grasp of the obscure and macabre.

Since it's been stated that the movie will start "in the middle of the story," what if the paradox is already in process at the start?

Interesting idea!! Now you've got me thinking about the drawings in Jake's room that he has done. Are they related to 'the touch', or are they the drawings of a disturbed child (à la The Ring style).

I hope they don't skip the paradox, but i can see how it could be tricky as it is mostly internal thoughts/monologues... (almost impossible to translate to film, as Autopsy room 4 proved).

[–] sugrnspyce4 8 years ago

My essay days are long gone, but i habitually left them to the last minute just to pull an all nighter with a caffeine addled brain only to find out the teacher loved my (apparent) grasp of the obscure and macabre.

Ha - so are mine (thank goodness), but I also was a chronic procrastinator when it came to essays and such lol. Fortunately, that last-minute pressure pretty much forced me to do my absolute best, and even more fortunately, my teachers approved. :)

Interesting idea!! Now you've got me thinking about the drawings in Jake's room that he has done. Are they related to 'the touch', or are they the drawings of a disturbed child (à la The Ring style).

I was wondering about Jake's drawings too. Does he draw these things from memory - maybe even from a previous cycle or from before a previous death? Is he depicting things he dreams about? Does he draw these pictures when he has visions, while in a trance-like state? I'm very interested to see how they go about this.

I hope they don't skip the paradox, but i can see how it could be tricky as it is mostly internal thoughts/monologues...

I hope they don't skip it either, as that was definitely one of the more interesting dilemmas in the story to me. But you're right, that kind of thing can be difficult to get across to the audience effectively sometimes. If they do decide to do the paradox part of the story, hopefully they'll find a way to do it well.

[–] Captain_Wesker 8 years ago

Are you expecting all of those characters/beings to appear in this film ? Far as I know, this first outing in a potential franchise is not trying to squeeze in too much in its runtime.

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It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing .

[–] 8 years ago

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[–] joannatn 8 years ago

Yeah, the Captain is right. There is no Blaine and no lobstrosities in the first installment of the Dark Tower series. I can't imagine they'd be featured in this movie, much less highlighted in the promo. Hell, they need to make sure the first movie is successful before they can start working on aspects of the next. Besides, how disappointing would it be for someone who knows nothing about the storyline, sees these kick @$$ lobster monsters and a freaky sentient train, then goes to the movie to find out that those things are probably going to be in the next movie. Just trying to be a little realistic about what we're going to see, not trying to burst your bubble (because, frankly, I can't wait for those things either)!

[–] 8 years ago

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[–] joannatn 8 years ago

Well, maybe I'm speaking too boldy? I just thought that this movie was supposed to be heavily influenced by the Gunslinger book. The lobstrosities aren't introduced until Drawing of the Three (or do they appear at the end of the Gunslinger? That's possible...), and then while Blaine is referenced in Jake's essay, he doesn't appear until The Wastelands. I understand things have changed, but I was just using the books as my reference. I could be completely wrong, but that was why I figured these elements wouldn't be present in the new movie.

[–] 8 years ago

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[–] joannatn 8 years ago

Oh, yes, and that happens all the time! Or, how about when they embellish a scene and take time away from scenes that deserved more? One example that springs to mind is Goblet of Fire. They totally embellished the scene when Harry took the dragon's egg, but then had to cut so much from the movie due to time constraints. Grrr! I've come to expect that from screen adaptations, but still I remain hopeful!

[–] 8 years ago

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[–] tinasparklesau 8 years ago

The lobstrosities are a fun element, most of tDotT is a fun ride imo. Not like SoS (personally i found that to be a torturous or should i say tortuous read and couldn't fall through the hole in the page once). But back to the lobstrosities, the thread has been well and truly buried by now but i thought someone who had read the script mentioned that they make an appearance. And the synopsis of the script i was given says that Roland is indeed in search of medicine in NY, going by the book his infection is caused by the lobstrosities so i'm kinda guessing they will turn up. Well i hope so anyway. As for Blaine, i would be guessing no. What made Blaine appealing to me was Eddie's frantic hypnotic internal searching of Blaine's weakness. Not only was Eddie funny af as usual once he 'got it', but it was some good character development regarding his advancing ability as a true gunslinger. If Blaine was included, i'd rather wait for Eddie too.

[–] SherlockedAndLoaded 8 years ago

If this film does well, and they decide to do the rest of the story, they better make Oy every bit as awesome as he is in the novels. I worry that Hollywood will reduce him to a pet or mascot instead of keeping him a legit member of the Ka-Tet. I'm trying to keep my expectations low, but there are certain things I cannot forgive.

Messing with Oy is riding the top of that pyramid. Also if they try to do a race swap with Susannah/Detta/Odetta.

Time's the thief of memory.

[–] 8 years ago

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[–] joannatn 8 years ago

I can't imagine they'd dare swap Susannah's race. I mean, her race defines her on a much more profound level than anyone else's. Elba (IN MY OPINION) can totally pull off Roland, but whoever they choose for Susannah, I can't imagine she'd be played by any other race than the one that was written for her.

And yes. I pray they're not going to ruin our billy bumbler. This goes back to the belief that if they do character posters later, that Oy should get his own bloody poster instead of just a place on Jake's shoulder!

[–] SherlockedAndLoaded 8 years ago

YES. If they just include Oy in a character poster for Jake, then that will confirm my worst fears for him in the films.

And yeah, Susannah's race is SUCH an integral part of her character, and they cannot screw with that.

Time's the thief of memory.

[–] Spider198 8 years ago

Typical double standard from Elba defenders, proving you have no credibility when you spout your race is unimportant cr*p.

[–] joannatn 8 years ago

Oh, Spidey, no one is saying race is unimportant. Race is very important. What I think we're trying to say is that Roland can be played by a black actor just as easily as he can be played by a white character since his race wasn't a factor in who he came to be. But I know you feel differently about this and we can agree to disagree amiably, can't we? If you want to be insulting you can always start another one of your own threads. I mean, it's a free country and all and I can't truly stop you from posting here if you like, but can we at least try to keep this a fun, safe thread to post in?

I hope you're having a good day, or long days and pleasant nights if you prefer!

[–] SherlockedAndLoaded 8 years ago

I completely agree you about Eddie, Joanna. TDotT quickly cemented Eddie as one of my favorite literary characters of all time, and I wish we could've gotten some more of Cuthbert in the series, but that's besides the point...

And yes, race is important. But besides Roland being written as a Clint Eastwood clone, because it was the easiest and most logical description for him; his race has next to nothing to do with his character. If you think gunslinger, most people have the immediate image of Eastwood spring to mind.

But back to lighter topics: Eddie and Oy, yay!

Time's the thief of memory.

[–] 8 years ago

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[–] 8 years ago

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[–] And_V_123 8 years ago

bomb

[–] tinasparklesau 8 years ago

ha, it's no mystery that tDotT is my favourite book and Eddie is probably the most prolific character in it, but i hadn't realised how much i post about Eddie! You're right, i do! I don't like to play favourites with the ka-tet but Eddie probably is my favourite character. The wise cracking junkie appeal could have something to do with it (Aaron Paul in BB, Jared Leto in Requiem, they're effortlessly entertaining). But more than that really, there's something in the way King writes him that i can't quite put my finger on... Whenever he slips into Eddie, it's very seamless, i always get an instant visual feel for him, almost like King personally favours writing Eddie. One particular part always stands out to me - when Roland keeps calling Eddie "Prisoner", and Eddie finally snaps "stop calling me that!", it strikes me as very poignant (maybe more than intended?). Without knowing for sure, i'd ponder a guess that he does particularly enjoy writing him and has taken a lot from his own past and injected it into Eddie's personality... Who's your favourite character?? :)

[–] 8 years ago

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[–] tinasparklesau 8 years ago

Thank you! 👍 I felt the same about Oy initially, but now i love him almost as much as Wolf in The Talisman.

[–] Captain_Wesker 8 years ago

Bump.

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It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing .