Well, this is unexpected, but I can dig it!

[raggedyman79]

I think Roland and Susannah both being black could be interesting. With Roland and his family in a leadership role in Mid-World, he would obviously not have dealt with the racial issues that Susannah herself would have dealt with. That said, adding that extra layer of complexity to the narrative might be more than they can handle, unless they choose to ignore Susannah's identity as a black woman and just focus on her split personality.

 

[GNTLGNT]

...I don't know this Elba from Melba Toast...don't know his work and don't frankly care....why do people think they have to dick with something???....I'm not a racist, end of story....but portraying Roland as a black man goes against the entire grain of the story...sure, there may BE "other world's than these"...but this gun-slingin' badass with the bombardier blue eyes is NOT a black man...if you're going to do the story-leave the characters as written...the argument about CR's being up in arms-but the general public who doesn't know his work caring less?....not valid IMO...if this colossus of a project ever see's the light of a dark theatre-shouldn't we be concerned about attracting more King fans, who after seeing the movie decide to read the series and find out it's been screwed with, so they don't delve into any of the rest of his worlds?....what a tragedy and a travesty....

 

[Takoren]

...I don't know this Elba from Melba Toast...don't know his work and don't frankly care....why do people think they have to dick with something???....I'm not a racist, end of story....but portraying Roland as a black man goes against the entire grain of the story...sure, there may BE "other world's than these"...but this gun-slingin' badass with the bombardier blue eyes is NOT a black man...if you're going to do the story-leave the characters as written...the argument about CR's being up in arms-but the general public who doesn't know his work caring less?....not valid IMO...if this colossus of a project ever sees the light of a dark theatre-shouldn't we be concerned about attracting more King fans, who after seeing the movie decide to read the series and find out it's been screwed with, so they don't delve into any of the rest of his worlds?....what a tragedy and a travesty....

Nail on the head. The marketing should be focused on attracting fans of the series and Gan knows there are plenty of them. Even non-CR's who love dark fantasy love The Dark Tower. If they love it, they'll drag their friends to it and create positive word of mouth. If they hate it, it will bomb.

This does not compare with The Shining or The Shawshank Redemption. The Shining was a relatively recent book by a fairly new writer. It had Kubrick at the helm and Nicholson in the lead, and it was bloody scary, so, yes, people loved it. Red was just a character, not an icon or fan favorite.

 

[Tery]

I think Elba is a brilliant actor. And you all know that I'm about as far from racist as it gets. But Elba is not right for this role. As GNT says, it's about the source material. And Roland, with his "bombardier-blue eyes," is a specific character. He is described this way in the books and should be this way in any adaptation.

As I've said before, I would prefer to see this in animated form, if at all. That way, we don't have to try to find actors that may or may not fit the images in the books. They can be drawn to those descriptions.

 

[staropeace]

I do not watch Stephen's stories when they become movies. I want the movie to be just like the book....which never happens. In my mind's eye, Roland is a mix between Clint Eastwood and Uncle Steve himself. I do not picture him as an African American. Just the way I am wired. No disrespect intended.

 

[Baz]

And yet Thor is now a woman and there has been a black Spiderman!


Someone here doesn't like stew!

And with that, my part in this palaver is done and it's time to get back on the Beam Trail.

Long days and pleasant days everyone!

Thor being a woman now is so tacky To be honest I have no interest in those cheesy Spiderman movies, any of them. The Dark Tower should be a project to stand along the lines of Lord of the Rings. Staying true to the original is important in my opinion.

 

[AnnaMarie]

I think Roland and Susannah both being black could be interesting. With Roland and his family in a leadership role in Mid-World, he would obviously not have dealt with the racial issues that Susannah herself would have dealt with. That said, adding that extra layer of complexity to the narrative might be more than they can handle, unless they choose to ignore Susannah's identity as a black woman and just focus on her split personality.

You mean like the Obama's?

 

[Sigmund]

 

[Doc Creed]

Really? LOL

 

[not_nadine]

no

 

[SHEEMIEE]

Honky mofos !!!! No bloody way !!

 

[SHEEMIEE]

That's like giving the part if odetta to Sharon stone - feckers are on another planet if they think that is good casting . How about giving the bumbler a makeover too - to a ewok and jake can be played by Hannah Montana

 

[SHEEMIEE]

Hell this has me bloody fuming - i can just see who is in line for Will Dearborne.....

 

[SHEEMIEE]

Bombardier blue eyes - game set and match . Change that mr king, and you dissapoint a whole generation of DT constant readers - and lose the interest of a whole following. Think about this, and listen to those who love your work.

Is it april 1st?

 

[SHEEMIEE]

I say -- bring him on. Fantastic choice.

??????? Really - man, this is the worst choice since they took away orphan Annies ginger curls.

Im hearing they are remaking shaft - bruce willis is playing the part !

 

[GNTLGNT]

...still no.....

 

[not_nadine]

Moderator

Ms. Mod - Sorry if this has been asked, but does Mr. King have any thoughts on this?
Does he have any say in the casting?

 

[SHEEMIEE]

Moderator

Ms. Mod - Sorry if this has been asked, but does Mr. King have any thoughts on this?
Does he have any say in the casting?

He soon will - folks are outraged on FB - it's just plain stupidly to even suggest this might happen NN -

 

[Out of Order]

He soon will - folks are outraged on FB - it's just plain stupidly to even suggest this might happen NN -

Or a clever way to get people talking Dark Tower again. What's the old saying about publicity?

 

[SHEEMIEE]

Or a clever way to get people talking Dark Tower again. What's the old saying about publicity?

Yeh that's what I've decided after fuming over it today -

The only thing that changes each time around is his katet - not the Ka daddy , who will remain Clint in my head movie .

I can avoid it if I have too - it will break my head otherwise.