The dark tower movie
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I am going into this with an open mind, especially if I understand (which I think I have a good grasp on) the mechanics of how Stephen King's realities/universes work
I wouldnt doubt that the new number at the end of the long Dark Tower epic is no longer nineteen but twenty
....and I think thats all Mr King asks of us loyal readers
But I hope Mr King understands that us long avid readers that understands SK's Gestalt Philosophy that he has painted for us for decades is a hard boulder to budge: I fell in love with the characters........ a Roland that is a white Clint Eastwood twinner, the hazel eyed wise cracking Eddie, black wheelchair bound but far from crippled Suzanna/Detta/Odetta, Jake, and (my favorite) Oy and the woven interplay between all these facets of the ka-tet.......these are the paintings/visuals I fell in love with that are firmly engrained in my mind.....to suggest to me a black Roland, despite which "where" the new epic is in, is like suggesting Shaft looks like Carrottop.........My mind is open: but its a bitter opening
I'm willing to suspend disbelief here. As long as the producers don't stray too far afield from the intricacies of the book. Not an easy task, to translate the brilliance of The Gunslinger onto the screen. I don't want to be entertained. When I want to be entertained, I watch Indiana Jones. After viewing the new film, I want to feel elevated, transformed.
...well yeah, cuz Emoji's are much more culturally significant.....
"ERMAHGERD!"...well yeah, cuz Emoji's are much more culturally significant.....
What would be great is if after the theatrical movie..or movies regarding the Dark Tower...they would do smaller spin-off movies following the connections in the novel. For example, HBO and/or Netflix movies about The Stand, Eyes of the Dragon, Insomnia, etc. I think those books would make great pet projects. Furthermore, I think to really understand those books, you have to stay close to the source material.
Thank you for posting, because I now know that I have reached a point where I just don't care.
Is Idris Elba committed to future DT movies?
It sounds like this movie goes right to the end...so I'm hoping it's just one movie.
I'd love to see him as the new Doctor.
Well....I do not about you but...I am tired of waiting for the Trailer!! It is somewhat frustrating!!
Anyone feeling the same way?
Anyone feeling the same way?
At this rate, we will get the trailer at theater when seeing the movie!
Fellow Constant Readers, a few things I feel the need to point out. Sorry in advance for my long winded introductory post lol.
1) Regarding the producer's comments regarding racists. I think a lot of you only saw the last part of that statement and took it out of context. He never said that everyone who has a problem with Elba's casting are racists and that they should all go F* themselves. If you read his entire statement, he actually addresses 2 separate camps of naysayers. There are the people who are legitimately concerned about how that change effects the story, to which he stated "I understand that people who are thoughtful about the storytelling and the racial politics of the storytelling might want to understand how that informs that storytelling, and I respect that and I hear that, and those things are not things we didn't think about or don't think about." That's a perfectly acceptable response in my opinion. But he also took the time to address that second camp of haters, those who are simply racist (and yes, those are out there too), to which he said (and rightfully so) that they can go F* themselves. I think many of you may have just read the last part of his statement and flew off the handle without taking the whole thing in context.
2) I've seen some people complaining that Eddie and Susannah are not in this movie. Within the boundaries of the story, it's normal for them not to be there. This is the first movie. This is the beginning of the story. Eddie and Susannah were not introduced until book 2. It's normal for the first film's focus to be Roland, Jake and Walter. The director did confirm in an interview that Eddie and Susannah are being saved for the sequel.
3) Someone mentioned Scott Eastwood. Scott Eastwood would might be a good choice for Roland.....in 20 years.....and after more than a few acting lessons. As it stands right now, he's way too young for the role, way too much of a pretty boy, and while he may kind of look like his Dad, he doesn't have anywhere near the same kind of commanding on-screen presence as Clint did/does. He's actually pretty forgettable. I saw Suicide Squad a couple of times and didn't even realize he was in it until I read it somewhere. He really was not noticeable at all. That's not the kind of presence Roland should have. It wasn't just Clint's look that inspired King, it was the way he carried himself, and the iconic way he commanded everyone's attention. When Roland is on screen with other characters, Roland needs to command your attention. I just don't get that from Scott. Elba on the other hand, has all those same qualities as a performer that inspired King to base Roland off of Clint. If you ask me, it's way more important to get those elements of the character right than to just get someone with the right complexion but who otherwise doesn't fit the required characteristics. And just looking at it from a practical standpoint...the Dark Tower is an unknown property for most of the general movie going public. Yes, you need to get someone who fits Roland's characteristics, but you also need to get someone who puts butts in seats. Scott Eastwood doesn't meet either of those requirements.
4) In regards to Susannah's relationship with Roland. I think people are putting way too much emphasis on a few of Detta's more colorful lines of dialogue. Maybe it's because I'm in the middle of reading the series for the umpteenth time as we speak and it's fresher in my mind, but the root cause of Detta's beef with Roland has very little to do with race despite her "tough talk". Detta's talk of "Honk Mahfahs" and "white candles" was largely bluster to hide the real reasons she hated and feared Roland, to hide those reasons from them and from herself as well. Roland's psychic rape of her mind came with a sense of familiarity, a feeling that this kind of intrusion had happened many times before. Roland's invasion of her mind opened the door to her taking the first steps towards accepting and acknowledging her other half, and that's a door both personalities wanted kept closed at all costs. They're both terrified of facing that truth about themselves. That's where Detta/Odetta's fear and hatred of Roland stems from. Not to mention the way he kidnapped her from her world without so much as a "Hey. How's it going?". It's also why the Odetta side of her personality also fears and distrusts him. If it was all about race, Odetta would have no problem with Roland. After all, she clearly doesn't have a problem with Eddie. Even after her personalities merge as Susannah, she continues to be distrustful of Roland for quite some time. Again, if it were about his being white, then it wouldn't it stand to reason that those feelings of distrust would also extend to Eddie and Jake? But it doesn't, because her distrust is not about his being white. It's about who Roland is as a person and what he did to her. All this casting changes is a few lines of dialogue. Sorry but I don't think having Detta refer to his junk as a "white candle" is really all that crucial to the story lol.
5) So far, I'm really digging the "Sequel" approach they're taking to adapting it. That might change once I see the movie but for now I'm stoked. I've read the series at least 6 or 7 times and will likely read it at least a dozen more times before I enter the clearing. I'm also up to date with the comics which is essentially the same story. I already know that particular story inside and out. For the life of me, I can't see anything wrong with having two great versions of the story to enjoy instead of just one. Just means bonus DT goodness for me. And if it sucks, well like I said, I would have been reading those books over again anyway. As Dark Tower fans we have everything to gain and literally nothing to lose from this. And lets be objective about this shall we? The story as King wrote it is completely unadaptable to either movies or TV. It's way too weird and unconventional for that. The original story only really works in a literary form. For this to have even a chance of being successful, major story changes were inevitable. With this approach, they're at least trying to include the core fanbase while still having the freedom to make the necessary changes required to make a successful movie that appeals to a wider audience. They could just as easily have ignored the fans and just went off and made all these changes without the "sequel" element (which is what most studios do when faced with this kind of situation).
6) Lastly, I'm not too worried (yet) about the lack of marketing. It's not unusual for lesser known properties like this to release their trailers shortly before release. Things like the Marvel movies or Star Wars can release a trailer almost a year out because they know they have a huge built in fanbase among general movie goers, people who aren't likely to forget about the movie in that time. The Dark Tower doesn't have that luxury (yet). A Dark Tower trailer dropped too early would lose any of its steam and momentum among general movie goers by the time the movie actually comes out. Film marketing is all about timing. And sometimes patience is a virtue. The first trailer for John Wick dropped about 2 or 3 weeks before its release. That was the right choice for that movie. 10 Cloverfield Lane had its first trailer about a month before its release. That also worked for that movie. Aside from huge fan favorite properties like Marvel and Star Wars, most new movies only really start their marketing push 2 or 3 months (sometimes less) before the film's release. That's actually the norm.
1) Regarding the producer's comments regarding racists. I think a lot of you only saw the last part of that statement and took it out of context. He never said that everyone who has a problem with Elba's casting are racists and that they should all go F* themselves. If you read his entire statement, he actually addresses 2 separate camps of naysayers. There are the people who are legitimately concerned about how that change effects the story, to which he stated "I understand that people who are thoughtful about the storytelling and the racial politics of the storytelling might want to understand how that informs that storytelling, and I respect that and I hear that, and those things are not things we didn't think about or don't think about." That's a perfectly acceptable response in my opinion. But he also took the time to address that second camp of haters, those who are simply racist (and yes, those are out there too), to which he said (and rightfully so) that they can go F* themselves. I think many of you may have just read the last part of his statement and flew off the handle without taking the whole thing in context.
2) I've seen some people complaining that Eddie and Susannah are not in this movie. Within the boundaries of the story, it's normal for them not to be there. This is the first movie. This is the beginning of the story. Eddie and Susannah were not introduced until book 2. It's normal for the first film's focus to be Roland, Jake and Walter. The director did confirm in an interview that Eddie and Susannah are being saved for the sequel.
3) Someone mentioned Scott Eastwood. Scott Eastwood would might be a good choice for Roland.....in 20 years.....and after more than a few acting lessons. As it stands right now, he's way too young for the role, way too much of a pretty boy, and while he may kind of look like his Dad, he doesn't have anywhere near the same kind of commanding on-screen presence as Clint did/does. He's actually pretty forgettable. I saw Suicide Squad a couple of times and didn't even realize he was in it until I read it somewhere. He really was not noticeable at all. That's not the kind of presence Roland should have. It wasn't just Clint's look that inspired King, it was the way he carried himself, and the iconic way he commanded everyone's attention. When Roland is on screen with other characters, Roland needs to command your attention. I just don't get that from Scott. Elba on the other hand, has all those same qualities as a performer that inspired King to base Roland off of Clint. If you ask me, it's way more important to get those elements of the character right than to just get someone with the right complexion but who otherwise doesn't fit the required characteristics. And just looking at it from a practical standpoint...the Dark Tower is an unknown property for most of the general movie going public. Yes, you need to get someone who fits Roland's characteristics, but you also need to get someone who puts butts in seats. Scott Eastwood doesn't meet either of those requirements.
4) In regards to Susannah's relationship with Roland. I think people are putting way too much emphasis on a few of Detta's more colorful lines of dialogue. Maybe it's because I'm in the middle of reading the series for the umpteenth time as we speak and it's fresher in my mind, but the root cause of Detta's beef with Roland has very little to do with race despite her "tough talk". Detta's talk of "Honk Mahfahs" and "white candles" was largely bluster to hide the real reasons she hated and feared Roland, to hide those reasons from them and from herself as well. Roland's psychic rape of her mind came with a sense of familiarity, a feeling that this kind of intrusion had happened many times before. Roland's invasion of her mind opened the door to her taking the first steps towards accepting and acknowledging her other half, and that's a door both personalities wanted kept closed at all costs. They're both terrified of facing that truth about themselves. That's where Detta/Odetta's fear and hatred of Roland stems from. Not to mention the way he kidnapped her from her world without so much as a "Hey. How's it going?". It's also why the Odetta side of her personality also fears and distrusts him. If it was all about race, Odetta would have no problem with Roland. After all, she clearly doesn't have a problem with Eddie. Even after her personalities merge as Susannah, she continues to be distrustful of Roland for quite some time. Again, if it were about his being white, then it wouldn't it stand to reason that those feelings of distrust would also extend to Eddie and Jake? But it doesn't, because her distrust is not about his being white. It's about who Roland is as a person and what he did to her. All this casting changes is a few lines of dialogue. Sorry but I don't think having Detta refer to his junk as a "white candle" is really all that crucial to the story lol.
5) So far, I'm really digging the "Sequel" approach they're taking to adapting it. That might change once I see the movie but for now I'm stoked. I've read the series at least 6 or 7 times and will likely read it at least a dozen more times before I enter the clearing. I'm also up to date with the comics which is essentially the same story. I already know that particular story inside and out. For the life of me, I can't see anything wrong with having two great versions of the story to enjoy instead of just one. Just means bonus DT goodness for me. And if it sucks, well like I said, I would have been reading those books over again anyway. As Dark Tower fans we have everything to gain and literally nothing to lose from this. And lets be objective about this shall we? The story as King wrote it is completely unadaptable to either movies or TV. It's way too weird and unconventional for that. The original story only really works in a literary form. For this to have even a chance of being successful, major story changes were inevitable. With this approach, they're at least trying to include the core fanbase while still having the freedom to make the necessary changes required to make a successful movie that appeals to a wider audience. They could just as easily have ignored the fans and just went off and made all these changes without the "sequel" element (which is what most studios do when faced with this kind of situation).
6) Lastly, I'm not too worried (yet) about the lack of marketing. It's not unusual for lesser known properties like this to release their trailers shortly before release. Things like the Marvel movies or Star Wars can release a trailer almost a year out because they know they have a huge built in fanbase among general movie goers, people who aren't likely to forget about the movie in that time. The Dark Tower doesn't have that luxury (yet). A Dark Tower trailer dropped too early would lose any of its steam and momentum among general movie goers by the time the movie actually comes out. Film marketing is all about timing. And sometimes patience is a virtue. The first trailer for John Wick dropped about 2 or 3 weeks before its release. That was the right choice for that movie. 10 Cloverfield Lane had its first trailer about a month before its release. That also worked for that movie. Aside from huge fan favorite properties like Marvel and Star Wars, most new movies only really start their marketing push 2 or 3 months (sometimes less) before the film's release. That's actually the norm.
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According to all write-ups this movie includes
doorway(s) on the beach
Jake going through the house in to Roland's world
A character from book seven
Jake going through the house in to Roland's world
A character from book seven
This is not book one.
I can only speak for myself on this.
I don't care about her colourful language. I care about her history. It's so well written. I realize to include her entire back-story would require an entire prequel about her childhood, and of course I do not expect that. But it didn't need to be entirely erased either.
....Welcome SC!....and your thoughts are well considered-fans are uber passionate about what they feel is "their" story, so commentary and opinions are going to be all over the spectrum....when this first was announced-I frankly lost my sh*t, but over time-I've come to look forward to a reimagining.....
No it's not a direct adaptation of the Gunslinger, but neither is it a direct adaptation of later books in the series.
From all accounts, this picks up where the series left off. Roland has restarted his quest with one added element (the Horn) which causes a ripple effect that changes the way the story plays out.
Just curious, but where did you get the impression that they're entirely erasing Susannah's whole back story? Aside from confirming that she will be introduced in a potential sequel, they haven't discussed what approach they're taking with her character yet.
With that said though, I do think we should be prepared to see characters who are not exactly the same as those we encountered in the books.
There are other worlds than these, and one thing the novels established is that variations of these characters exist on many different worlds, sometimes with small and sometimes major changes between them. Like when Susannah returns to modern day New York at the end of the series and encounters versions of Eddie and Jake living there as brothers (with Oy as their dog). When reading the series, and Susannah's conclusion in particular, I was left with the impression that Roland's curse of resumption didn't extend to the ka-tet. I was truly left with the impression that their stories were over and they found their peace.
The Jake Chambers we encounter in this movie is portrayed slightly differently (being a bit older and living in modern day New York) because he is quite literally a different character. He's a version of Jake from a different world. Ka is a wheel so I do believe the ka-tet will still comprise of Eddie Dean, Susannah Dean and Jake Chambers (and Oy of course, can't forget him), but it will likely be versions of them from different worlds. Still them at their core, but with some variations from the characters we're familiar with.
The Jake Chambers we encounter in this movie is portrayed slightly differently (being a bit older and living in modern day New York) because he is quite literally a different character. He's a version of Jake from a different world. Ka is a wheel so I do believe the ka-tet will still comprise of Eddie Dean, Susannah Dean and Jake Chambers (and Oy of course, can't forget him), but it will likely be versions of them from different worlds. Still them at their core, but with some variations from the characters we're familiar with.
I for one am excited about the possibilities this approach gives us.
When you erase a character, you erase their back story. It's going to have to be a good enough movie to support future movies. You have faith in it I guess.
This movie seems to skip all over...bit of this book bit of that. I doubt any movie is a true adaption of a book, it's just not possible. (Though I think Harry Potter came very close with most, and most fans were glad they reduced the house elves part.) But this isn't an adaption. It's a whole new story. And that's fine. I just wish they hadn't gotten people interested by saying it's DT.
But...money is money and it 's their right.
This movie seems to skip all over...bit of this book bit of that. I doubt any movie is a true adaption of a book, it's just not possible. (Though I think Harry Potter came very close with most, and most fans were glad they reduced the house elves part.) But this isn't an adaption. It's a whole new story. And that's fine. I just wish they hadn't gotten people interested by saying it's DT.
But...money is money and it 's their right.