Welcome. There are arguments for and against the casting. All of them make sense in their own way. Only time will tell. Keep posting.
Why Idris Elba will play the role of Roland?
- Thread starter LubovPopova
- Start date
-
This message board permanently closed on June 30th, 2020 at 4PM EDT and is no longer accepting new members.
I am sooooo disappointed by this casting choice. We've waited many years for a DT adaptation, and whilst I expected changes and that not everyone would be satisfied, this change is so drastically major I personally won't be able to overlook it. Luckily we still have the DT books to re-read and enjoy, because I'll truly never watch this adaptation. I also think the movies producer stating that the "racist *******s should go f**k themselves" if we do not like his casting choice is disgusting. I am in no way racist so for many of us to be generally accused as such by a man who has never met any of us is pathetic and disgusting behaviour.
PS, I actually just think Elba is a crappy actor in general and don't get all the hype...and that's from a fellow Brit.
If Idris is playing Roland, who the hell is going to play Gripper Stebson?
I also think the movies producer stating that the "racist *******s should go f**k themselves" if we do not like his casting choice is disgusting. I am in no way racist so for many of us to be generally accused as such by a man who has never met any of us is pathetic and disgusting behaviour.
PS, I actually just think Elba is a crappy actor in general and don't get all the hype...and that's from a fellow Brit.
If Idris is playing Roland, who the hell is going to play Gripper Stebson?
If Idris is playing Roland, who the hell is going to play Gripper Stebson?
Now there's a bit of a blast from the past. God, I'm getting old.
I am so sorry! I understand you. I will continue to read the book by Stephen King. But the film based on the book "Dark Tower" with the actor
Idris Elba will not watch. I liked the comparison with a hot dog - It is unknown what there is meat - and I eat it. I will not eat this "hot dog". I'd rather be hungry. I'll wait for another film adaptation of another actor .. I think you understand me. Mickey Mouse - the mouse, Roland - a white male. Differently simply can not be. Otherwise the world will go mad. Thank you for warm words.. and for me - "There are other worlds than this"...
That's all we can do. We have that.
I notice there are several who are willing to go along with this just being another level of the tower....
Well, unlike those in charge of this movie, I have not forgotten the face of my father.
Nor have I forgotten Cort's words to Roland....
"You're the one who NEVER changes."
Well, unlike those in charge of this movie, I have not forgotten the face of my father.
Nor have I forgotten Cort's words to Roland....
"You're the one who NEVER changes."
Here's what Stephen had to say in the EW interview:
"I visualized Eastwood as Roland. I loved the Spaghetti Westerns and all those widescreen close-ups of his face, especially the ones where he’d been left out in the desert and was all covered with blisters and sunburn. I thought, "That’s my Roland." As the years went by, Roland became a more particular individual in my own mind. He wasn’t Eastwood anymore. He was just... Roland.
"For me the character is still the character. It’s almost a Sergio Leone character, like ‘the man with no name.' He can be white or black, it makes no difference to me. I think it opens all kind of exciting possibilities for the backstory."
"I visualized Eastwood as Roland. I loved the Spaghetti Westerns and all those widescreen close-ups of his face, especially the ones where he’d been left out in the desert and was all covered with blisters and sunburn. I thought, "That’s my Roland." As the years went by, Roland became a more particular individual in my own mind. He wasn’t Eastwood anymore. He was just... Roland.
"For me the character is still the character. It’s almost a Sergio Leone character, like ‘the man with no name.' He can be white or black, it makes no difference to me. I think it opens all kind of exciting possibilities for the backstory."
Yeah, already read it. Comment was made most likely after the fact.
Don't take me the wrong way. I'll be a King fan till I'm so much dust on the wind. Can't I be a petulant, whiney little brat for the time being? I'm just sad and disappointed.
I still have a suspicion I can't seem to shake. If I ran into Steve and asked him why, I'd get something along the lines of "Well Tak! I think Elba will make a Tak! fine Roland."
I still have a suspicion I can't seem to shake. If I ran into Steve and asked him why, I'd get something along the lines of "Well Tak! I think Elba will make a Tak! fine Roland."
I think that article shows the utter contempt that the director has for the constant readers, we are not racist we are expressing a concern over a choice of actor that does not resemble in any way our vision of Roland. If you were to ask the CRs what their vision of Roland would be I think 99.9% of them would say a white man with rugged features. He could have won people over by acknowledging the controversial choice but asking us to bear with him and see where he was going with it.
I feel disappointed with Mr King as well by just going along with this choice, people have taken this character to heart and journeyed with him, we have laughed and cried and felt his loneliness we have been a constant shadow over his journey. Mr King are we not Ka-Tet are we not one, I feel that the Ka-Tet has become damaged by this, I just hope it is not irreconcilable.
Robert Gray
Well-Known Member
Stephen King is an author. He wrote the book. He isn't, aside from the occasional dabble, a filmmaker. He doesn't really "go along" with anything. He sold the rights and hopes for the best. Like us, he just wants to see the world he created on the big screen. Can you blame him? Unfortunately, to try and get there he has to make compromises. Holding him accountable for this isn't fair. He already gave us the books. He has given us a unique window into many times, places, and people. We have near unfettered access to the color of his thoughts. It is ungrateful to expect more. My thoughts on the casting choice, and the upcoming film are well known. I don't, however, hold Sai King responsible for what is to come.
Yes he sold the rights, but this is more than just a short story or a one of novel it is a huge part of his and our lives. It should be given the respect it deserves and so should we. I agree compromises have to be made but some things should not be compromised on and the lead role should have been one of them.
Robert Gray
Well-Known Member
While I don't disagree with you that the lead was poor casting, I think that pales beside the scope of the changes we are going to see (sadly). Ultimately, however, we must remember that the author doesn't owe us anything. We have been paid in full (overpaid in fact) for each book. Longtime fans of any type of thing tend to develop a sense of entitlement. I just think we should try to keep that sense in check. We all feel it; I am no exception.
But feeling it and deserving to feel it aren't the same thing. We will always have the books. Don't go see the movie. The problem is solved. I have no intention of going to see it unless there is an overwhelming flood of good reviews here at this site by people who couldn't resist.