http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2015/12/09/report-idris-elba-frontrunner-for-lead-in-the-dark-tower-adaptation/
I think he's a great actor, and I think the movie would benefit from his performance, but I don't think he should play Roland.
I hate this idea so much. Hate it. And I have nothing against Elba as a person or an actor. I believe he is a fine actor. But why. Just why.
This rumor shows what is problematic with the current studio ideologies. Yes, we want more diversity and race in our films. But, you want to completely alter a character that has led an incredibly successful book franchise for the sake of race? It's absurd. And I don't want to hear the "it's not about race, it's about the essence of the character" argument. Such crap.
These films are being made because the books they are based off have proven to have success and devoted fan base. Why even adapt the books if you don't believe what made them successful in the first place will equal to success once they're adapted?
This is dumb.
I really don't think it's about an ideology or something, but still I think it's a terrible choice.
The hardcore social wariors won't probably believe me but I find this choice terrible and I'm absolutely not racist.
I was equally disapointed when Javier Bardem was considered for the role.
Idriss Elba considered for being James Bond ? I don't care.
A black Torch on FF ? I don't care.
A black character in Star Wars ? I *beep* don't care.
I'm obessed with The Dark Tower for 20 years, and I wanted the movie to be exactly as it is written and how I've imagined it.
Roland is a tall and thin white guy with blue eyes. That's it.
Not a muscular black guy with black hair and dark eyes.
Not an idealogy? How would you describe it then?
And I'm not trying to be confrontational. I really want to know the reason for these absorb decisions studios like to make.
That wouldn't be a problem even if you intented to be confrontational.
I think the only ideology to blame here is "capitalism".
They don't care about respect of the original material, they just want fashionable movie stars who would improve the size of the targeted audience.
So I see that you are using the words capitalism and fashionable. Both words that semiotically mean money to me. Idris Elba does not mean money. He has never been in a film that could be considered a totally verified box office smash. PAcific Rim? A nice following and decent sales overseas, but is infamously considered a film that underperformed. Prometheus? Considered a disappointment by all accounts. Sure, the Thor films are a success. But, to further my point, any film that he has been in that has had some level of financial success is not attributed to Elba alone. Elba has obviously been in critically acclaimed films and shows, but that means nothing to general audiences.
All of this to say, I am still trying to understand why studios think these types of decisions are good.
If the studio took that decison, it's because that can make them sell more movie tickets, it's absolutely sure.
shareI'm obessed with The Dark Tower for 20 years, and I wanted the movie to be exactly as it is written and how I've imagined it.
In this case it's clearly written or shown on the illustrations that Roland is a tall thin white guy with blue eyes.
Did you read it ? How many times King wrote about his cold blue look ?
I'm reading it now, just starting on book 7 so stuff is fresh in my mind and I seem to recall, that Eddie noticed a poster of Clint Eastwood and that basically, that was the essence of Roland. He didn't look exactly the same, but the resemblance was clearly there, especially in the steely blue eyes. The other reference to Roland's specifics was that he obviously resembled Stephen King himself and that Eddie saw that Roland was modeled on himself.
I also have no problem with either Idris Elba or with non-Caucasian leading heroes, but can't imagine Roland as such. It could be a good film even with Idris as Roland, but it won't be the Dark Tower. If you want to add a black guy to one of the tet's feel free to cast someone as Cuthbert. I don't recall him being described in any other manner than very handsome. Not Eddie, but Cuthbert could be if you must. And that's my favorite guy.
Roland has been illustrated as white throughout the entire series. If you saw a black guy in your head the entire time than you weren't paying attention.
shareI'm sorry, is it April already?
shareIf Timothy Olyphant isn't available, the movie shouldn't be made. It's that simple really.
shareBig mistake. Anyone who's read the books knows how much they'd have to change things around to fit a black main character-including Susannah. It just won't work without making major changes. Too major.
´¨*¨)) -:¦:-
¸.•´ .•´¨*¨))
((¸¸.•´ .•´ -:¦:-
-:¦:-(ง ͠° ͟ل͜ ͡°)ง
^This exactly.
The books have already set up all the pieces for some great cinema.
Exactly, but then the idiots making this were actively after Javier Bardem and then Russell Crowe, two more actors that don't fit Roland.
Starting to hope this never gets made.
Stephen King is one of three producers of this adaptation, so I don't think you can say anything if he chose Elba as Roland.
shareNo he really didn't.
shareMcConaughey and Elba want to work together and they apparently like to make The Dark Tower happen (both turned down offers to work on The Dark Tower), and the DT producers are okay with that. Since King is one of those producers, one has to assume he does endorse that casting choice, but let's wait and see what he has to say. Officially, of course.
shareKing also endorsed the 'Under the Dome' tv show, and that was a completely butchery of the book that basically just had the same names. At this point I think King has stopped caring how badly the adaptions are turning out as long as he gets paid for it. Just parrots faux support for it.
The younger Stephen King, the one who was publicly and repeatedly very open about his dislike of the Shining film because of the big changes would never have defended the Under the Dome tv show or ever support this casting.
Roland is white (and actually said to resemble a young clint Eastwood) end of story. They'd have to change a hell of a lot of the personal character moments with Detta/Susannah alone.
If he plays Roland the movie will bomb.
share