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On Snitches, Dr. Doom and Lightsabers: Mid-World reflects Pop Culture


The Dark Tower is a series written by Stephen King in which Stephen King’s subconscious shapes the reality of the novels. His childhood heroes, like Clint Eastwood, he reveals in the foreword shaped his depiction of the titular Gunslinger, born as it were from a single sentence that he could simply not get out of his head.

The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed.

Throughout the novels, his subconscious continues to dictate the imagery of the Mid-World and the characters and props that they come to use. The emerald city of Oz and the long dried spray paint of The Stand warns of the Walkin’ Dude. There are scores of characters from Stephen King’s other novels that appear as well as thinly veiled, and often not veiled at all, references to pop culture imagery.

The Wolves of the Callah features an antagonistic force of riders dressed like Dr. Doom wielding Lightsabers and throwing explosive Snitches. His words, not mine! So what?

Well, as we know the Dark Tower film series is not a retelling of The Gunslinger, it is a new chapter in the story. We find out at the end of the book series that this series is but one telling of a cycle of events. How do those other cycles unfold? We’re left to wonder. Until now.

Roland’s look, like everything else in the series, is crafted from the subconscious of Stephen King. Clint Eastwood talks to chairs, and Idris Elba is a pop culture phenomenon, as is Matthew McConaughey. It is entirely in line with the book series that the evolving nature of the Dark Tower saga would reflect these new faces fresh to the zeitgeist. Similarly, the riders of the Callah could potentially resemble Darth Maul or Deadpool wielding Thor’s Hammer Mjolnir while throwing Batarangs. Don’t you see! That’s the beauty of the series and why the ending is everlong and satisfying. Life continues to evolve and all we can do is keep pace. Ka is a wheel.


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Very cool sentiments, Key! I'm not sure everyone is going to buy what you're selling, but I definitely see where you're coming from. Now that being said... I really do hope I get to see my sneetches! I love the Harry Potter references (my patronus is a billybumbler)!

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Thanks, and I totally understand wanting to see the imagery that resonated with you at the time of reading. Will be quite interesting from a legal standpoint what they're actually able to do given that the descriptions are very specific on what they are emulating. Harry Potter IP is super buttoned up as is Marvel and Star Wars.

my patronus is a billybumbler

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One of the good things is that Stephen King has a good personal relationship with JK Rowling; I think she even gave him permission to use some of her creations in his book. They might be allowed to use it for the movie since they're friends, but I know sometimes those things don't always carry over (copyrights and what have you).

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Unfortunately, the issue will arise between Warner Brothers, who purchased exclusive rights to depict Rowling's HP world on film, and Sony, the studio behind The Dark Tower. It is possible that Rowling negotiated shrewdly and can apportion IP to other studios but I kinda doubt it.

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Oh, very good point. Not to mention the fact that Disney isn't known for being very generous with rights to things they own. Durn it... Yet another difference for the nay-sayers to raise their pitchforks over, I suppose.

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With a couple tweaks they will be able to put in suitable replacements. Laser swords and fun grenades thrown by green cloak wearing robots is fine they just can't be replicas of the stuff.

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They could always use The Sentinel Spheres from the Phantasm horror films.
They work in much the same fashion, and I also thought the Harry Potter films/novels stole the idea anyways.
http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/the-singularity/images/6/61/Phantasm.gif/revision/latest?cb=20150701165958




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Or a poke-ball

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I guarantee if pokeballs get thrown, heads will explode, ROFL! Though I do confess, the image in my head of Roland throwing a pokeball is so entertaining!

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lol right?

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Idris Elba is not a pop culture phenomenon. You've said some stupid things before, but that's a new low.
He's also still a piss poor casting choice for Roland... No matter how many posts you make of excuses for it.

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He's getting there, at least. But perhaps not a phenomenon at the moment. It's subjective. To those who are into movies and know the actors he's definitely on the short list of top talents. Anyway, despite your insult I appreciate you actually reading it through and giving a germane comment.

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I agree with you Key.

Elba might not be a phenomenon but he's definitely recognised as a talent and has a really good track record behind him: The Wire, Rocknrolla, The Office, Thor, Beasts of No Nation, Luther (such a good series!!), and even films like Jungle Book and Finding Dory just to name a few! I know some of these might not be roles that will get you an oscar, but the fact that he can be a pretty diverse actor shows how good he is. Plus he's been acting for over 20 years so he has the experience and knowledge of how to handle a good role. I've got faith in him for this and even if he doesn't handle Roland of Gilead perfectly, that doesn't stop his acting skills being one of the best around at the moment.

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