An alternate casting for Roland

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Z

zedus

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I've been meaning to write this letter to Stephen King for a while and I finally did. However, I then read that he isn't actually the one who looks at his fan mail anymore, so, I might as well just post it here. Thoughts?

Dear Mr. King,


I’ve felt strongly about this for a while, and I just wanted to bounce the idea off your real quickly: Hugo Weaving as Roland.

The piercing blue eyes, the cold, aloof, and tough demeanor. Plus, the voice. The epic voice that absolutely demands respect, projects wisdom, even majesty, and at times can be absolutely terrifying.

The incredibly strong screen presence he has and is required for Roland is something I would worry that a lot of other actors wouldn’t be able to fulfill.

He certainly has the acting chops and with a strong supporting cast (Mcconaughey [even though I think Fassbender would be the perfect Flagg], Aaron Paul, etc.) could bring enough people to the box office.

He has the ability to look very gruff, gaunt, is the right height, age, and has proven his ability to be a formidable gunslinger (the Matrix), as well as the wise-warrior (LOTR,V for Vendetta). I really envisioned him to be Roland when listening to Frank Muller’s audiobook reading, which is fantastic. I think Weaving’s voice really captures Muller’s feel for Roland. Anyway, just thought I would send you quick letter on that topic in case I’m right. But, who knows, maybe It’s just me ;). I Hope your 2,000 words today are fantastic. Have a good one.


Thanks for your time, for doing what you do, and for being an inspiring force,

my name
 
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Dana Jean

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ghost19

ghost19

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Let's let Roland live between the pages of Mr. King's books. Everyone has their own image of Roland and the other DT characters in their mind. My idea and mental images of Roland, Eddie, Susannah, Jake, Oy, mid-world, Gilead, The Dark Tower itself.....goes back to 1982. No amount of thought that goes into the casting of this movie is going to match up to that. The same problem existed for the LOTR series. The movies were ok, but so much was left out of the books that they became snapshot shells of what the books actually contained. The Dark Tower series is so rich, spanning across so many landscapes and time, that I just don't believe anyone or any medium other than Mr. King's words will ever be able to do The Dark Tower justice. Not everything needs to be converted to visual image even in this day and age...jmho:)
 
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Doc Creed

Doc Creed

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ghost19 said:
Let's let Roland live between the pages of Mr. King's books. Everyone has their own image of Roland and the other DT characters in their mind. My idea and mental images of Roland, Eddie, Susannah, Jake, Oy, mid-world, Gilead, The Dark Tower itself.....goes back to 1982. No amount of thought that goes into the casting of this movie is going to match up to that. The same problem existed for the LOTR series. The movies were ok, but so much was left out of the books that they became snapshot shells of what the books actually contained. The Dark Tower series is so rich, spanning across so many landscapes and time, that I just don't believe anyone or any medium other than Mr. King's words will ever be able to do The Dark Tower justice. Not everything needs to be converted to visual image even in this day and age...jmho:)
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Well said. Ultimately, I feel the same way.
 
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Takoren

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Yes, I think Weaving could work. At 55, he's probably about as old as Roland looks, which is something a lot of people appear to miss, and yeah, in all respects I think he'd work quite well. He's not my first choice, but he might be the third now.

ghost19 said:
Let's let Roland live between the pages of Mr. King's books. Everyone has their own image of Roland and the other DT characters in their mind. My idea and mental images of Roland, Eddie, Susannah, Jake, Oy, mid-world, Gilead, The Dark Tower itself.....goes back to 1982. No amount of thought that goes into the casting of this movie is going to match up to that. The same problem existed for the LOTR series. The movies were ok, but so much was left out of the books that they became snapshot shells of what the books actually contained. The Dark Tower series is so rich, spanning across so many landscapes and time, that I just don't believe anyone or any medium other than Mr. King's words will ever be able to do The Dark Tower justice. Not everything needs to be converted to visual image even in this day and age...jmho:)
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Let's stop pretending this is an option.

But then, I think much more highly of the LOTR movies than you seem to. I knew they weren't going to be as good as the books, few movies are, but I only hoped they'd make Tolkien's world and characters come alive before my eyes, and that they absolutely did, and about as well as could ever be hoped.
 
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GNTLGNT

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Takoren said:
Yes, I think Weaving could work. At 55, he's probably about as old as Roland looks, which is something a lot of people appear to miss, and yeah, in all respects I think he'd work quite well. He's not my first choice, but he might be the third now.


Let's stop pretending this is an option.

But then, I think much more highly of the LOTR movies than you seem to. I knew they weren't going to be as good as the books, few movies are, but I only hoped they'd make Tolkien's world and characters come alive before my eyes, and that they absolutely did, and about as well as could ever be hoped.
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...that's it!....BILBO plays Roland!....BRILLIANT!!!!!......
 
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Takoren

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Actually, it's kinda like this:

Great books make movies that are, at best, either great in different ways, or just good. Assuming they're good at all.

Books that contain a good idea but are not all that well-written can produce great movies that possibly improve upon their source material.
 
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ghost19

ghost19

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Takoren said:
Yes, I think Weaving could work. At 55, he's probably about as old as Roland looks, which is something a lot of people appear to miss, and yeah, in all respects I think he'd work quite well. He's not my first choice, but he might be the third now.


Let's stop pretending this is an option.

But then, I think much more highly of the LOTR movies than you seem to. I knew they weren't going to be as good as the books, few movies are, but I only hoped they'd make Tolkien's world and characters come alive before my eyes, and that they absolutely did, and about as well as could ever be hoped.
Click to expand...

I wasn't disgusted or anything with the LOTR movies but again, there was just no way to get all the information into the movies that made the books what they were. That will go double for The Dark Tower series. I did watch all the LOTR movies, but I won't go see any kind of movie made from The Dark Tower books. I don't say that to be snobbish, that's not my intent, but just to convey I hold the DT series up on a very high pedestal and can't see the movie/s being anything I want to check out. I like you're avatar btw, very creepy.
 
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jt0565

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Doesn't Clint have a son that would be worth a look? Now don't slam me for this but I also think Hugh Jackman could pull it off.
 
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Dana Jean

Dana Jean

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jt0565 said:
Doesn't Clint have a son that would be worth a look? Now don't slam me for this but I also think Hugh Jackman could pull it off.
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I posted a picture of Clint's son somewhere, he looks just like Clint. Rough him up a bit, dirty him up and he could be good.
 
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Takoren

Takoren

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jt0565 said:
Doesn't Clint have a son that would be worth a look? Now don't slam me for this but I also think Hugh Jackman could pull it off.
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He's 29. Waaaaaaay too young, unless you're talking about Kyle, who's a musician, not an actor. Also, he's kinda soft-looking. Unlike Clint, who was hard and cold even as a young man.
 
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