As someone who has read most of the books, the politically correct casting of Roland and it being a sequel of the books has put me of this movie and made me far less excited.
For those that have read the books, the casting is important, Susannah is a black woman and this is an important point, as is Roland's skin colour.
Wow! So refreshing! How did you come up with such an original thread for discussion. You must be a really smart person!
Grant discovered raptor eggs in Jurassic Park
I agree with your comment on the casting choice for Roland. I really enjoy Idris Elba as an actor, but I think he is definitely the wrong choice. I always pictured someone like Robert Taylor from Longmire. As for the plot being a sequel to the novels, I think that might be a good plan. If the movie was based on the books, there'd have to be about fifteen of them to tell enough of the story for people to understand. With the track record of the movies based on Kings novels, they probably wouldn't be able to make more than three of them!
sharepolitically correct casting of Roland
Susannah is a black woman and this is an important point
as is Roland's skin colour.
Shocking. Mr race is unimportant suddenly cares when it's the black character, you were saying about you not being racist?
shareWhere'd I say that jokester?
The man in black fled across the desert and the gunslinger followed.
I was replying to Wesker dipsh*t, so why did you think it was aimed at you?
Yes, you are full of sh*t and just as hypocritical as Wesker. But I wasn't actually talking about or to you that particular time. The fact that you thought I was means you must have found truth in that post about yourself also.
How much time are you going to spend trying to convince people with these worn out talking points? Is it worth telling you guys to chill? I think not.
Do you feel glad telling people they're stupid for their opinions? You are incredibly tedious.
Maybe when someone actually counters the points I won't need to keep pointing it out. Now be quiet unless you have anything of worth to add.
The irony of your post calling me tedious when that was your empty headed reply to me is probably lost on you.
Maybe reply to Wesker, then, instead of me?
Also, you've *never* demonstrated that you know what the books are about. The only thing you seem to know about the books is that Roland is white in them. Please, for the sake of clarification, describe what you enjoy about the books and, for the love of god, include details that somebody who hasn't read the books wouldn't know.
The man in black fled across the desert and the gunslinger followed.
I did reply to Wesker you fool. Honestly, try activating that tiny brain of yours and maybe you might manage to see something that isn't completely idiotic at somepoint in your life.
shareSpoken like someone that has not read the books.
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It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing .
It's hilarious that you accuse me of not reading the books when you are defending the casting of idiot Elba as Roland. Something which anyone who actually has read the books can see is a terrible idea. Maybe go and read the books, then you'll know just how stupid you sound right now (that's if you have the attention span to read a book in full, I have my doubts about that).
Also don't think I didn't notice your deflection from the point I was making again. You really don't like me pointing out how full of sh*t you are do you.
I've never heard this line of argument before. It's basically Spider without the constant insults.
The man in black fled across the desert and the gunslinger followed.
Grr, I've been battling replying to this post because I have in so many other versions of the same thing, but I'm going to try this again because I can't just keep my mouth shut and be content!
Okay, jpa, do consider reading all the books. It really is a phenomenal series and it's a shame you don't know it in its entirety yet. However, there is no reason to believe Roland's casting was simply a PC move. There is evidence to the contrary, actually, considering the first actors considered for the role were all white. I actually believe that Idris Elba was chosen for his audition, which was probably everything they were looking for with the exception of his skin color. I'm also content with the idea of a sequel. It makes more sense if you've read to the end of the 7th novel. I know what happens in the novels. I'd like to see if Roland can get it right on this final turn of the wheel.
Yes, the casting is important for the case of Susannah. She was a black woman from the 60's growing up in a VERY racist part of the United States in OUR world. Roland, on the other hand, is from a world where color means nothing to a man's social status, opportunities or placement. Racism is a devise of our world; not his. That is why a black Roland works.
Now, if I may, I shall knock the needle off the broken record (until the next post arrives and decides to replace it).
Roland's race is no less important than Odetta/Detta/Susannah's, the only difference is you are making excuses for the PC casting of Roland. And that's all it is. Can't be all protective of one while ignoring the other, that's what is called a racist double standard.
The fact that they've already played the racist card proves that. Also the fact that Elba is a sh*t actor who plays the same role in everything.
Oh, Spidey, come now. You and I have always got on far better than this. I confess to feeling a mite insulted that you're calling me racist and accusing me of a double standard. We've discussed this. Hell, I'm Asian! Asians have been white washed out of roles for decades just as well as Latinos and African/Americans, but that isn't what this is about. I'm not using a double standard at all. Odetta can't be white. It would make no sense. Her entire background is based on her race, her social status and the racist environment she came from. Roland, on the other hand, wouldn't have experienced that even if he had been written as a black character because where he came from it mattered not. I am not being protective or making excuses; I'm just simply looking at the evidence as Stephen King himself presented it.
He's not a sh*t actor, dear heart. That's merely your opinion, and I have a feeling that opinion was forged only after you found out he had won the role of your favorite white character. I say that not to be cruel, but because I think it's true.
Take a few deep breaths, eat some candy and smile. I hope you'll feel better and that you're having a lovely day.
First, I think that Idris is a great actor and while it can be argued that it was a PC move or a great audition move (since we can't prove which is right) I still think he will make a fine Roland.
I know that sometimes race is important in a story; mainly when an aspect of the story hinges on race which is what all the fuss is about for Dark Tower and it was my first thought when I read the casting choice as well.
But, I really feel like while we will miss some of the character arc between Roland and Susannah/Odetta if you look at the huge scope of the story against the small portion we are magnifying, the real affect to the actual story that needs to be told is minuscule.
Now, if Eddie would be cast as black I think that would have a much bigger impact due to the nature his and Susannah's relationship. But I think as long as one of them is white we still get that original conflict and arc that King created so it really doesn't have to be both of them. I think if it came down to being racially accurate to the book and having an actor that wouldn't portray the character as well and changing the race of Roland to cast the best actor for the job you pick the latter as they did.
Some great points, Seize.
The character arc in tDofT was a masterpiece of writing and for me shifted the series from OK to one of my all time favourites. There's clearly a lot of people who agree that it's good because this seems to be what a lot of the fuss is about. The truth is, Detta Walker hates Roland for about 100 pages of the book and she barely mentions the colour of his skin, there's a couple of 'greymeats' thrown around and a few 'Honky Mafah's' here and there but they seem to be just racial slurs, she hates him and he happens to be white, so just another reason to hate him. Not the sole reason. It clearly states that the main reason she hates him is because 'he raped her mind'. He saw what she and Odetta have been hiding from each other, their other selves. She hated that. She hated him. He happened to be white and she's from a time where white people and black people didn't get on (in some countries, sadly there's still a lot of tension). So she picked up on that. A tiny bit, for a few pages, in one book, of an eight book series, written a few decades ago, with graphic novels and other novel tie-ins. Does it matter that Roland is portrayed by a man with black skin? not really. Elba, in my opinion (notice some people on this board that this is an opinion and is different from a fact), is a fine actor and has the caliber to pull off the character. I could be wrong but I can't wait to find out. and it's posts like this that let me know that others agree and that some people on this board who are against it and refuse to see it on the grounds of Roland's skin colour are really outnumbered in the larger scheme of things.
I completely agree that the right actor should be picked based on ability not race. We can't tell how or why they picked Elba but there's no harm in being optimistic and believing that they picked a good actor for the role rather than someone who looks the a bit like Clint Eastwood. Where's the business sense in that? Picking a bad actor who looks right to appease a few fans of the book vs picking a good actor for a role based on ability to make a lot of money on a few films. These people make millions, even billions of dollars a year. It's not worth the financial risk.
It's happened all throughout movie history when it comes to adaptations.
Red in Shawshank
Hermione in the Harry Potter play
Ford Prefect in Hitchhikers Guide
Perry White in Man of Steel
Bane in the Dark Knight Rises
These characters were all well portrayed and at no cost to the character. It's a film adaptation at the end of the day, it can never be exactly as it is in the books.
Sorry Seize, rant over. Can't wait to see the film!