First Pics of Elba As Roland

[duf70]

Just saw the pics, they don't look bad, although he doesn't look at all like the way I pictured the gunslinger from reading the books, but well....what can we do?
Now, if it is true that the first movie will start in book 5, where is Susannah and Eddie????

 

[skimom2]

I've still got to watch 11/22/63. I got hulu just for that and never got around to it.
I agree - The Dark Tower will be hard to pull off as written on the screen. There's just too much to it. But I am suddenly aching to see him, umm, it... the movie I mean. For some reason I totally cannot see this hunk of a man dancing the Commala but again, I'm up for the journey.

I think he'll do it just fine. After you watch 11/22/63 on Hulu, take a look at Luther (his BBC show). The man can move.

On a happy note, the kids and I started looking at DT pics online, then pulled out TDoTT, and now I'm reading it to LilMan (with some judicious pruning). We got through the prologue and first two chapters tonight. When I was reading TG last year, he kept reading over my shoulder and I gave him a synopsis of that story, so he's all excited.

 

[SHEEMIEE]

I reckon we are getting pictures from 'westworld' resort and not the set of Dark Tower here.

Catwalk Cowboy!

Ah man, I gotta stop reading these links- it's getting me too depressed.

*sigh*

And I just found out who they are casting as Han Solo

*sigh*


*sigh*

Catwalk cowboy!

 

[SHEEMIEE]

 

[SHEEMIEE]

Would like more updates on SKMB though - maybe something on 'news' as to what is happening in filming- just for reassurance like.

A few pics of the closed set mayhaps , and a couple of more casting photos.

We've waited so damn long it would be good to see the 'official' casting pictures in full glory

The blonde girl is really reminding me of Delgado all growed up - surely not???

Now that's a cool rumour eh - other worlds than these???

Anyway, here's another set photo-

 

[Out of Order]

I reckon we are getting pictures from 'westworld' resort and not the set of Dark Tower here.

Catwalk Cowboy!

Ah man, I gotta stop reading these links- it's getting me too depressed.

*sigh*

And I just found out who they are casting as Han Solo

*sigh*


*sigh*

Catwalk cowboy!

Yul Brynner would have made a fantastic Roland........

 

[Saigrim]

Sorry! I'm not impressed. Doesn't look right.

There is a simple truth to this entire project...

It's not The Dark Tower. Love it, hate it, or have complete ambivalance for it, but that truth will never change.

I've never understood why Hollywood has to divert so far from the source material. These stories are popular for a reason. Then you have some scrub who feels he needs to come in and rewrite everything that made the story great in the first place. Always with a big middle finger to the fans who made it relevant to begin with. Were it not for the die hard constant readers, this story would be collecting dust in the great trash heap of forgotten literature.

 

[skimom2]

You have your answer in your last sentence. A movie is not made for the relatively few who read any book. Movies are made for masses. I'd bet the great majority of the movie going public has little to no idea what the hell The Dark Tower even is, in micro or in macro. We're not talking LOTR here. That level of cultural consciousness could happen some day. But it ain't here now.

Filmmakers perspective: Ron Howard does know and love the story, but even with his clout could never get it financed. BUT he's (his company, anyway) done some of the prep work, right? Now producer #2 (or whatever) comes in. Maybe he/she likes the story, too, or maybe not. Either way, they know that Howard has generally good instincts. So they look at what's been done and make decisions based upon getting the damn thing made. They might or might not have the resources to dick around with it for years.

They need a script that doesn't have to be a years long saga (those aren't doing too well anymore--moviegoers tastes have changed), but can be expanded if it's a surprise hit. So the books are mined for good visuals and a few iconic scenes, then the rest is filled in.

Now you need a star. Can't be a huge expensive name (not without huge money, Oscar tear jerker written on it, or someone willing to work for scale), but it has to be someone who has piqued interest lately. In this case, it was Idris Elba. Back him up with a known quantity (McC), and you're off to the races.

Movie making 101.

 

[Saigrim]

And after this little movie the masses will still have no idea what The Dark Tower is. But I do know you're correct, and I know how the movie making dynamics work. I also realize I'm preaching to the choir. I just can't seem to control myself from kicking that damn proverbial horse.

 

[Mr Nobody]

Further to that, it could even be the case that a producer's backing is contingent on casting a certain person (either in a certain role or just casting them as a main character).

 

[skimom2]

And after this little movie the masses will still have no idea what The Dark Tower is. But I do know you're correct, and I know how the movie making dynamics work. I also realize I'm preaching to the choir. I just can't seem to control myself from kicking that damn proverbial horse.

They'll have their own DT (if this works out). Two horses, two different colors I completely get what you mean--I was probably the first to gritch about the casting here--lol. Still, what's done is done, and I do like Mr. Elba very much. He's a fine actor. Without Detta/Odetta's story line, racial dynamics don't mean much. Mr. King is too good a writer to create a character who is dependent on his/her appearance--Roland is more than blue eyes, FFS. I do think the writers of 11/22/63 did a good job of catching the feel of that story, while changing the story itself quite a bit. If these writers do the same, I'll be interested to see the result. Just think of them as two horses, not one. Either way, the books don't change; you can stick with that familiar horse and never have to deal with the other one.

 

[Saigrim]

Either way, the books don't change; you can stick with that familiar horse and never have to deal with the other one.

Exactly what I have had in mind all along. No way in hell do I want another Star Wars prequel stuck in my brain files. I've spent years pretending they never happened, and have pretty much deleted those images from memory. Though I still have an occasional nightmare that they do exist.

 

[HollyGolightly]

I am ever hopeful that the masses will want to read the series completely after seeing the movie. I tell everyone to start there. Must.

 

[DiO'Bolic]

I am ever hopeful that the masses will want to read the series completely after seeing the movie. I tell everyone to start there. Must.

Probably what will happen afterwards is people will come up to Elba and ask him if he’s the guy Stephen King depicted in some novel.

 

[carrie's younger brother]

This miscasting & reinterpreting has been going on for years. The 1939 Judy Garland version of The Wizard of Oz bears little resemblance to the book it is based on. Still, people probably know the story from the 1939 movie much better than that of the book. I happen to like both for their own merits, but I was familiar with the movie way before I ever read the book.
As for SK adapted movies, I have pretty much steered clear of most of them. I would venture to say I've only seen about 20% of the films made and mostly because I want to remember the books as they were written.

 

[Saigrim]

Same here. I've purposely avoided most of the recent TV series they've put out there. I made the grave error of watching the first two episodes of The Dome before realizing I wasn't doing myself any favors by continuing.

 

[Mr Nobody]

This miscasting & reinterpreting has been going on for years. The 1939 Judy Garland version of The Wizard of Oz bears little resemblance to the book it is based on. Still, people probably know the story from the 1939 movie much better than that of the book. I happen to like both for their own merits, but I was familiar with the movie way before I ever read the book.
As for SK adapted movies, I have pretty much steered clear of most of them. I would venture to say I've only seen about 20% of the films made and mostly because I want to remember the books as they were written.

I didn't even know it was based on a book until I was in my early 20s!

 

[Bev Vincent]

Here is Steve and the director talking about the movie

Stephen King on 'The Dark Tower' movie: An EW podcast Stephen King on The Dark Tower movie: An EW podcast | EW.com

 

[Baz]

This is what happens when you mix casting with alcohol . This is Idris in Absolutely Fabulous with Joanna Lumley. Just making fun before anyone attacks me like I've forgotten the face of my father. Hope filming is going well. Are the guns a bit small or do they look right?

 

[Baz]

I pictured the gun handles being bigger. Idris has big hands to so maybe hes making them look small. I dunno. Is the color right?