First Pics of Elba As Roland

[Robert Gray]

For those who are still upset about the changes that will be made I have a question. If Stephen published a book that took up where book 7 left off, one in which Roland has changed physically from who he was before and was on a new quest toward the Tower, would you read it? It wouldn't be the same story as you read the first time around, things would obviously be changed and new characters would undoubtedly be introduced. If you stop thinking of this as an exact adaptation (when has that ever happened?) of the books that have been published and think of it as a new level of the tower would you still be as upset?

No, but that isn't how this movie was projected. If that is the route they are taking, I expect that is how it should have been pitched to us. If that is what is going on, it will feel like a bait and switch. We would like to READ that new story by Stephen King and then see it translated to the screen. Right now what we have been waiting to see it the Dark Tower from the books that exist now. If this is, indeed, some sort of continuation/sequel, I wish they would just say that.

 

[Moderator]

No, but that isn't how this movie was projected. If that is the route they are taking, I expect that is how it should have been pitched to us. If that is what is going on, it will feel like a bait and switch. We would like to READ that new story by Stephen King and then see it translated to the screen. Right now what we have been waiting to see it the Dark Tower from the books that exist now. If this is, indeed, some sort of continuation/sequel, I wish they would just say that.

The script has changed numerous times since it was first optioned but to the best of my knowledge an official synopsis of the film still has yet to be released. Just using the title doesn't mean it's going to be an exact adaptation so I'm not sure where the bait and switch is coming from.

 

[Robert Gray]

The script has changed numerous times since it was first optioned but to the best of my knowledge an official synopsis of the film still has yet to be released. Just using the title doesn't mean it's going to be an exact adaptation so I'm not sure where the bait and switch is coming from.

I'm not saying there is... I'm saying that IF this isn't and adaptation from the books but as you state din your "what if" scenario, i.e. it being a sequel of sorts, that would be providing something other than advertised.

 

[Moderator]

I'm not saying there is... I'm saying that IF this isn't and adaptation from the books but as you state din your "what if" scenario, i.e. it being a sequel of sorts, that would be providing something other than advertised.

That's what I'm confused about, i.e. what is being advertised. Is using the title saying it's going to be the books Stephen has written or is that a jump to conclusion on the part of the public?

 

[DiO'Bolic]

 

[Robert Gray]

That's what I'm confused about, i.e. what is being advertised. Is using the title saying it's going to be the books Stephen has written or is that a jump to conclusion on the part of the public?

What I'm saying is that it is being discussed as the Dark Tower series brought to the screen, and in every interview and discussion they talk abut the thirty year trip it took to get here. The impression is that it is a cinematic adaptation of the books. We accept that there are going to be changes (although the scope of them is surprising). We aren't jumping to conclusions. The standard is for it to be (roughly) the story that was in the books. If it is not, and it is instead a sequel of some kind, that would be a switch. We would expect, this sequel to exist in literary form first. I know I always read the book before I watch the film. If this is going to be some sort of sequel that takes place after the books we know, with Roland blowing the Horn of Eld, I am going to be vexed. I would be annoyed because I wouldn't want to be led into watching a film before the book written by King exists, and because the impression they gave us was that it is the story we know being given the film treatment. Jumping to conclusions would be for us to be assuming crazy things without reason. Most of us are in standard mode, i.e. going by what has been released, and up until now there has been not even a whisper of this being a sequel.

 

[Moderator]

What I'm saying is that it is being discussed as the Dark Tower series brought to the screen, and in every interview and discussion they talk abut the thirty year trip it took to get here. The impression is that it is a cinematic adaptation of the books. We accept that there are going to be changes (although the scope of them is surprising). We aren't jumping to conclusions. The standard is for it to be (roughly) the story that was in the books. If it is not, and it is instead a sequel of some kind, that would be a switch. We would expect, this sequel to exist in literary form first. I know I always read the book before I watch the film. If this is going to be some sort of sequel that takes place after the books we know, with Roland blowing the Horn of Eld, I am going to be vexed. I would be annoyed because I wouldn't want to be led into watching a film before the book written by King exists, and because the impression they gave us was that it is the story we know being given the film treatment. Jumping to conclusions would be for us to be assuming crazy things without reason. Most of us are in standard mode, i.e. going by what has been released, and up until now there has been not even a whisper of this being a sequel.

Ahh...I see where you're coming from now. There will be an official synopsis coming within the next couple of months--anything that you've seen so far has not come from them other than interviews with those directly related to the production and even information in those that go back before MRC came on board have information that may have changed since then. The timing of the release of the synopsis should give people plenty of opportunity to decide if what is being filmed is something they are willing to watch.

 

[Moderator]

Just want to add that information that's being released about casting other than Elba and McConaughey has not come from the production company either so what's being said by them or their reps is not necessarily what is really happening and take it all with a grain of salt until official information by MRC or through Steve's sites is released.

 

[kingricefan]

Very cool. I haven't seen French & Saunders for a while but I used to love it whenever I saw it. I totally agree, Jennifer Saunders is probably the funniest woman alive. Shes the full comedy package with the writing, acting an everything else she does. In Ab Fab she is always falling over, she must have trained for that cos if I fell the way she does I'd break my hip lol we need more series of Ab Fab I love her husband in Bottom as well. But now I'm older I prefer Ab Fab.

I also have two season's of Girls On Top, which is quite hard to watch Saunders act in a typical television comedy as her humor isn't suited for that type of show. She definitely has got it all what with the acting, writing, producing, etc.

 

[Robert Gray]

Ahh...I see where you're coming from now. There will be an official synopsis coming within the next couple of months--anything that you've seen so far has not come from them other than interviews with those directly related to the production and even information in those that go back before MRC came on board have information that may have changed since then. The timing of the release of the synopsis should give people plenty of opportunity to decide if what is being filmed is something they are willing to watch.

No worries, and you know I'm not venting or overheating. I just don't trust Hollywood. I don't trust them at all. Even when Mr. King has been involved before they have still managed to mangle some of his stories in spite of his presence (and I'm sure behind the scenes vocal input). I've scaled back how much I say on this topic because I don't want to be a Debbie Downer. I remain hopeful, but somewhat resigned. They say you only need a spark of hope to come back from the abyss. Time will tell. I suppose the single most devastating rumor I have heard, which upsets me more than any of the countless other things, is that Roland will have the horn. I don't know what that says about me personally, but I'm being honest. It is kind of like that Game of Thrones show. It has actually gone on beyond what the author has written already. Perhaps he is giving them drafts to work with; perhaps not. It just feels alien to me for the story to be going forward without the book already on the shelf.

 

[César Hernández-Meraz]

I suppose the single most devastating rumor I have heard, which upsets me more than any of the countless other things, is that Roland will have the horn.

At least something I know about!

I'm at page 44 of "The Gunslinger". I may not know the gunslinger's name yet (well, I do, but not through what I've read of the novel*), but I learned pages ago that the horn has been gone for years.

Now I can participate in these threads as a fellow DT reader.

* The introduction mentions a "Roland" and a "Marsha", but I have no hard evidence linking them to any person or character I know.

 

[Moderator]

No worries, and you know I'm not venting or overheating. I just don't trust Hollywood. I don't trust them at all. Even when Mr. King has been involved before they have still managed to mangle some of his stories in spite of his presence (and I'm sure behind the scenes vocal input). I've scaled back how much I say on this topic because I don't want to be a Debbie Downer. I remain hopeful, but somewhat resigned. They say you only need a spark of hope to come back from the abyss. Time will tell. I suppose the single most devastating rumor I have heard, which upsets me more than any of the countless other things, is that Roland will have the horn. I don't know what that says about me personally, but I'm being honest. It is kind of like that Game of Thrones show. It has actually gone on beyond what the author has written already. Perhaps he is giving them drafts to work with; perhaps not. It just feels alien to me for the story to be going forward without the book already on the shelf.

The rumor about the horn most likely has to do with Steve's tweet this morning.

 

[hossenpepper]

I've got my perfectly young cowboy hero right here.

View attachment 15686

View attachment 15687

Perfect Young Roland in the Wizard and Glass back tale or TWTTKH...

 

[hossenpepper]

My personal feeling are that the roles of Roland an the Man in Black should reverse actors. McConaughey isn't exactly my first pick for Roland, but his mannerism and style fit the role better and I could say the same for Elba and TMiB.

I still say (especially based on some of the illustrations) that Ty Burrell has a great look for Roland and does drama pretty good (Blackhawk Down). I also always imagined Billy Drago as TMiB.

But hey, no one asked me so I will watch when it comes out and hope it's awesome.

 

[champ1966]

The rumor about the horn most likely has to do with Steve's tweet this morning.

He tweeted half an hour ago that Scott isn't going to be the Crimson King.

 

[champ1966]

I assume that's who he meant with 'He Who Should Not Be Named'

 

[Saigrim]

For those who are still upset about the changes that will be made I have a question. If Stephen published a book that took up where book 7 left off, one in which Roland has changed physically from who he was before and was on a new quest toward the Tower, would you read it? It wouldn't be the same story as you read the first time around, things would obviously be changed and new characters would undoubtedly be introduced. If you stop thinking of this as an exact adaptation (when has that ever happened?) of the books that have been published and think of it as a new level of the tower would you still be as upset?

Yes. Yes I would. The whole story itself revolves around Roland. Always has. And Cort said it best. "You are the one who never changes, Roland." His entire history is already set, up to point of the leaving or picking up of Elds horn. He's not Walter, who has numerous incarnations over the passage of centuries.

Were Steve to do what you are suggesting now, I would see it as nothing more than a cover for poor decisions on settling for less, just to get any movie made. Had he done it prior to any movie ideas whatsoever, one may have gone along. But Im willing to bet it all the changing of Roland would not have been in the mix.

 

[GNTLGNT]

For those who are still upset about the changes that will be made I have a question. If Stephen published a book that took up where book 7 left off, one in which Roland has changed physically from who he was before and was on a new quest toward the Tower, would you read it? It wouldn't be the same story as you read the first time around, things would obviously be changed and new characters would undoubtedly be introduced. If you stop thinking of this as an exact adaptation (when has that ever happened?) of the books that have been published and think of it as a new level of the tower would you still be as upset?

...I know it has to be annoying to put up with all the bitching, whether well-meaning or no....and you have a very valid thought here....yes, I would read it and more than likely enjoy it....it has taken me some time, but I have accepted and come to grips with the changes made to his Opus...it will be A story, just not THE story....and sleep will come to me tonight, much as it always does....Constant Readers are a demanding lot, and well-meaning....this too shall pass....

 

[Baz]

I also have two season's of Girls On Top, which is quite hard to watch Saunders act in a typical television comedy as her humor isn't suited for that type of show. She definitely has got it all what with the acting, writing, producing, etc.

I haven't seen that. Are you excited about the Ab Fab film? They kill Kate Moss lol

 

[champ1966]

At least something I know about!

I'm at page 44 of "The Gunslinger". I may not know the gunslinger's name yet (well, I do, but not through what I've read of the novel*), but I learned pages ago that the horn has been gone for years.

Now I can participate in these threads as a fellow DT reader.

* The introduction mentions a "Roland" and a "Marsha", but I have no hard evidence linking them to any person or character I know.

I really think you're pushing your luck César. You're only a few pages into a series of books. I don't even like to read the back of book before starting to read it. So step away from the DT threads before you spoil the whole series for yourself.