Remember last week when we told you that JJ Abrams might be directing an adaptation of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series? Well it looks like this rumor is true.
King confirmed the news to a crowded room at the New York Comic-Con:
“I know J.J. Abrams’ work and Damon Lindelof, who is his collaborator on Lost. Damon is just a total comic-book freak, and he loves the Dark Tower books. I trust those guys, and they have a lot on the ball. When they said they wanted to talk about doing this, I said, ‘You know what? Why don’t you buy the option on this and see what you can come up with.’ They asked, ‘How much do you want for an option?’ I said, ‘$19.’ (A key amount that comes up frequently in the books) And that’s what they paid me, and that’s where it is.”
“I said no to everybody until recently, because I didn’t think much of the chances of it being a good movie,” King told the crowd. “I mean, this is my life’s work, since the time I was 22 years old. It’s very important to me. Usually, with the other [books], I don’t give much of a shit. My attitude is, ‘Go make a movie, and if it’s good, that’s terrific, and if it’s bad, then it will go to the video stores and back shelves of Blockbuster, and I still get royalties on the book.’”
King also revealed that he turned down an offer from longtime collaborator Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile):
“Frank did come to me, and I know Frank from before either one of us had a pot to piss in. Frank said, ‘Gee, I’d like to do Dark Tower.’ I said, ‘Frank, give me a break! You’ve got The Mist, The Monkey. You’ve got the prison stories. … Stop putting so much on your plate!’”
May-be I’m missing something but, why wouldn’t king trust Darabont with Dark Tower? His previous adaptations are arguably some of King’s best movies. Well, for right now it looks like Abrams and Lindelof have their chance, but who knows when, where or if we’ll ever see the result.
The Dark Tower is a epic series of seven books written by King from 1982 to 2004. The story follows Roland Deschain�s quest for the �Dark Tower,� which is often described as a real structure, and also as a metaphor.
Update: JJ Abrams is now in pre production to direct Star Trek 11, and has a reported six projects in varied stages of development (including Cloverfield/1-18-08). So there is no word on when Abrams might find time for this project.
Sources: SciFiWire, Wikipedia
February 26th, 2007 at 10:51 pm
Wow, J.J. Abrams is everywhere. As the saying goes, I’ll believe it when I hear that The Dark Tower is actually in production.
As for Lindelof, he’s notorious among comic book fans for writing two issues of an Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk mini-series and never finishing it. Sure, sure, we keep hearing it’s going to happen, but the second issue came out 8-9 months ago. Apparently, Lindelof’s Lost obligations got in the way.
March 20th, 2007 at 4:30 am
that sounds amazing, as a huge DT fan and big lost fan that would be the best movie/tv series ever, although it’s shattered my dreams of making a DT film sereies.
Good luck to abrams and i hope he does a good job with it.
March 21st, 2007 at 8:28 pm
Is the movie to be on the big screen (Lord of the rings style) or is it going to be
another awful miniseries?
March 21st, 2007 at 8:31 pm
I am a huge fan of the series and of his work and am concerned about the casting for Roland ( since Clint Eastwood is too old) is there any word on the cast?
March 22nd, 2007 at 3:18 pm
I could see Hugh Jackman as Roland. Either that or someone relatively unknow. Similar to Gerard Butler in 300 or James Caviezel in Passion of the Christ.
March 22nd, 2007 at 4:55 pm
obviously clint eastwood is perfect for roland.rolands been around years and years just like clint has.how perfect is it for both of them.if they are smart they will break it into a series of films not just one 3 hour film where editing for time destroys the story for those of us who truly love and understand the opus.personally i think his television adaptations are best because they are most truthful to the books.there have definetly been great film adaptations but you need to give these time to work themselves out.as far as man in black goes i think al swearengen(ian mcshane)from deadwood is perfect.but hey thats just me.
March 22nd, 2007 at 8:41 pm
I thought about Jim Caviezel as Roland, But can he be gritty enough? Hally Berry
as Odetta, Jake is a tough one, Eddie also would be difficult to cast. As far as
Jonas goes, I think the only person alive that could play him is Sam Elliot. Walter
Could be played by Julian Sands (that guy from the movie Warlock.) I think he
would be perfect for that role. Susanna maybe Scarlett Johanson?
March 22nd, 2007 at 10:50 pm
Blaine…
I wasn’t suggesting Caviezel to play Roland, but now that it’s on the table… why not? What I was suggesting is that If Eastwood can’t do it (and we all know that he’s the first person to come to mind - he’s got all the cred he needs, not to mention to some extent he IS who the character is modeled after), maybe they pick someone who doesn’t carry the Hollywood visibility baggage so that the character stands on his own.
Man, I hope this all pans out.. I’m reading the series for the 8th time now.
March 23rd, 2007 at 6:37 pm
Is there any word on the release date and if it will be in the theaters or on T.V? I was really hoping that the movies would be maybe three hours each and say maybe four movies total. I just do not want them to skimp on the details for time. This series has the potential to be a great movie but they will have to be true to the books. It would be nice if they could even throw in the story of the Little Sisters of Aluria. This was in a short story collection and also has Parkus as a Gunslinger ( From the Talisman.) It seems that all of his work has elements of the Dark tower series in them.
March 26th, 2007 at 10:08 am
okay, here’s my dreamcasting so far..
Roland : Clint Digi-Wood, Bruce Willis, Josh Holloway (vllt für die junge version), Lance Henriksen, doc house
Walter o’Dim, the ageless stranger The Man in Black : Christopher Walken, John Malkovitch
Eddie Dean : Edward Norton, Gyllenhall, Garry Sinese
Susannah Dean : Jada Pinkett Smith, Thandie Newton, vivica a fox
Steven Deschain : Ray Liotta
Gabrielle Deschain: Catherine McCormack
Susan Delgado : Hayden Panettiere
Donald Callahan : Kiefer Sutherland
Calvin Tower : Dustin Hoffman
Jake: Oliver Davis, Cameron Bright
Nort: Steve Buscemi
the grimson king: Jack Nicholson
cort: ben kinglsey
Henry Dean: Mickey Rourke
sheb : tom waits
Jack Mort : Gary Oldman
March 26th, 2007 at 10:27 am
Interesting picks, Han… Lance Henriksen or Hugh Laurie are good Ideas for Roland. I also like Christopher Walken as the Man In Black. He can drip evil. I’d like to offer up Brad Dourif (Grima Wormwood) from “Return of the King” as another option for the MIB…
March 26th, 2007 at 10:45 am
No offense to the posters here, but why is everyone picking actors well past their prime? it’s not to say they’re not good actors or wouldn’t have been good fits for these roles, but most (Eastwood, Henrickson, Walken) are way too old. Eastwood is all but retired from acting (he’s in his early to mid-70s). Henrickson and Walken are probably in their sixties. Try actors in their 30s, 40s, and early 50s, especially if you’re thinking long-term (as in a movie franchise that will take 10 years to complete).
March 26th, 2007 at 1:52 pm
Lets hope that it does not take ten years to complete. I waited a long time from the time I read the first book to the time I read the second and it killed me. My worry about the movies is that it will destroy the whole image that the books portrayed so well. It would be very easy to make a bad movie ( or movies as the case may be) but hard to make a good series of movies with the right cast. I think in the end it will come down to two things, the cast of course, and does the director love the series as much as we all do and will he be true to the books.
March 26th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
Hmm, what about Peter Jackson as the director? He obviously knows how to do big epic films, can handle small, intimate character moments, and has the name and drawing power to get a big-money committment from a major studio. As for the cast, I’d vote for a mix of seasoned pros and complete unknowns.
Just my two cents worth, either way.
March 29th, 2007 at 5:44 am
Rosario dawson for suzannah……….
April 3rd, 2007 at 7:37 pm
Please, King, don’t do this. You once said that a tale should belong to the imagination, and not solidified with some actor or actress; I’m absolutely paraphrasing here, but I know that was the gist of your actual words. And you’re right, completely right; I’ve seen it in The Stand (not to mention how you let them combine Nadine and Lucy into one character!), Desperation (although Ron Perlman always, always kicks ass), etc. You’ve had some good’ns, some bad’ns, and some great’ns, but please don’t let this happen. I’m probably one of the top five devotees to the Tower, and I have too much love for the series and the characters to want to see it shaved down and ruined on the big screen. I’m done now; except, however, to say, good move using Miles’ Drugstore from Atlanta, TX, for the upcoming Mist film. My dad told me about that, and I was stunned.
April 3rd, 2007 at 7:38 pm
Didn’t mean to go on so long there. Sorry.
April 3rd, 2007 at 7:40 pm
Hey, Han, love the call of Tom Waits for Sheb. If this movie thing does happen, he’d give a hell of an atmosphere to the bar scenes.
April 4th, 2007 at 8:54 am
Clint is definitely to old for Roland, I like Bruce Willis, or possibly Mel Gibson if he can bring that edge he had in Payback, maybe even Kevin Costner.
April 6th, 2007 at 9:44 pm
Mel Gibson? Kevin Costner? C’mon guys, you can do better than that. While I would prefer a total unknown so that people only know him as Roland, I guess I could see a few established actors. Hugh Jackman wouldn’t be bad. I also like Jim Caveizel. Recently though I’ve been thinking Daniel Craig. Firstly, he has the eyes, but also he has kind of a rough face that suits the character. If he could drop some muscle and become a bit lankier, he could be great. Gibson is too short and past his prime. Costner too. In fact, casting Mel Gibson would almost be as bad as when Costner got the part of Robin Hood.
April 6th, 2007 at 9:45 pm
I still feel that the best place for the Tower is as an HBO series.
April 9th, 2007 at 9:04 am
All I gotta say is someone should contact Ryan Renolds for casting as Eddie.
April 9th, 2007 at 11:50 am
What about Viggo Mortensen as Roland. I think he is the perfect choice. He is
handsome the right age and a great actor.
April 10th, 2007 at 12:02 am
The guy who played Flagg in The Stand would work for Wizard and Glass . . . the Marten persona is closer to Dafoe.
April 22nd, 2007 at 2:37 pm
I think Robert Patrick would make a fantastic Roland! Think about it…
April 25th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Roland - Mortensen, Daniel Craig, they’d be good, but what about Kevin McKidd, the guy who played Lucius Vorenus on HBO’s “Rome”? Am I the only one who imagines Roland speaking with an English accent?
Eddie - Elijah Wood, Ryan Gosling, Topher Grace, even. Someone who could physically go from a emaciated junkie to a buff powerful gunslinger over the course of the story.
Susannah - Sanaa Lathan (Nip/Tuck). I can’t imagine anyone else playing the role, she’s been it for me from the start.
Jake - I always imagined a Haley Joel Osment type, but I’m sure they’d figure that one out.
I think that it should have a weird Spaghetti Western / Lord of the Rings type vibe throughout, but this story is so huge and expansive, I wonder if just one director’s vision would be enough.
May 8th, 2007 at 8:38 am
Honestly, I really do not care if there’s gonna be willis eastwood or spelling acting. If it’s jjabrams’s movie the casting got to be awesome. Well yea i’m Lost freak, what can I say :)
May 8th, 2007 at 9:10 am
oh what the hell, here they come:
roland - Steven Seagal
eddie - Jean Claude Van Damme
jack - Hugh Grant
susannah - Hally Berry (sorry Blaine)
man in black - Jim Carrey (or, seriously this time, Johnny Depp!)
May 10th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
no clint eastwood. not that i don’t have respect for him, but it’s too obvious.
clive owen definitely as roland.
May 10th, 2007 at 7:25 pm
Clive Owen is a good pick for Roland, But do you think he can pull it off? I think he needs to be crazy, merciless, obsessed, and at the same time be a sort of an old fashion knight who almost always does the right thing (at least after he meets Jake) That may be difficult for him to pull off. For that matter it may be hard for anyone to pull that off. Maybe they should just let us cast the movie so they don’t mess it up!!!!
May 15th, 2007 at 2:06 am
i’ve been reading some of the comments, clive owen does sound like a good choice, i’ve always pictured Roland as having this english/american accent, in some ways it would be good as a 7 part movie series because it would have a larger budget, but a tv series would be good because of the content, but tv series’s mostly seem to have low budgets which would be shit for the Dark Tower.
I trust j.j abrams seeming as i’m a huge Lost fan and Dark Tower fan.
Peace out
May 18th, 2007 at 6:07 am
I could care less who is casted! as long as its made! and honestly, tv series…. NO I think it should be a 7 part movie! Harry Potter has been going for the last 7 years and they still have 2 more movies to go…. I dont know about anyone else but I think if it takes 10 years to make it would be worth it! I think it would be the best 10 year wait of my life as long as I got to see all the books made into a movie series. I have been dreaming of this day for a long time.
July 4th, 2007 at 2:22 pm
ok, Clive owen would work for Roland…he does have the grit, although
Mortensen does have more grit/look…both could pull it off.
Ryan Renolds could portray Eddie well, but doesn’t have the junkie look,
need someone who has the look of a strung out junkie who isn’t completely
over the need/addiction.
suzanna would be tricky…need a woman who could go back to back with
the dual personas that she contains within herself…
Jake…hmmmm…an Osment type would work, but finding one now is a
little tricky.
the original Flagg I would agree with for the Man in Black…only way to go.
July 8th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
how about shia lebeouf for eddie. the character is 23. and he has that smartass look about him. vigo for roland is perfect. how about the army ranger from transformers for roland no?
he hasn’t been around that much.
July 13th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
if they can manage it, it should be seven separate films. it would be bigger than lord of the rings and they star wars prequils put together. also, the one and only man in black would be creepy old Gary Oldman. they don’t all have to be realeased at the same time. how long did we wait for all the books to be published? i could live with one every few years, given that they would be true to the novels and given the time and respect they deserve.
July 18th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
i suggest stephen king as………… stephen king (i carnt belive no one posted
that yet
July 18th, 2007 at 10:11 pm
I think Clint Eastwood has to be involved in this, but seriously he is way too old to be playing Roland now. What he should be doing is directing - who else has both the skills to pull it off and the Westerns background?
As for actors, I saw Viggo Mortensen on the cover of a “Hidalgo” DVD in the video shop and instantly thought ‘Roland’ - check it out! I was also thinking Joseph Gordon-Levitt for Eddie (at least I think I am - the guy in ‘Brick’) if only ’cause that’s kind of how I pictured him, and you don’t want a guy that’s too beefy or built. That’s as far as I’ve gotten with casting, except to say that Hallie Berry is IN NO WAY right to play Susannah - she’s too famous, too pretty and frankly I doubt she has the talent.
Kevin Costner or Bruce Willis as Roland? Nooooo!
July 20th, 2007 at 1:53 pm
ok one thing every1 has to realise is that they actually cant do this series
over 7 years or so and ya know why? when they cast jake it has to be an
11yr old boy…for every movie. which means they’ll pretty much have to make everything at once. its not like harry potter when he’s a year older each movie.
that is the main issue. otherwise Hugh Jackman is the man for the Roland job
hands down. Chris evans who plays the human torch in fantastic 4 for Eddie
Dean. Thandie Newton for Susanna. Clive owen would make a great Jack Mort.
and always picture the voice of Blaine as the original Megatron voice from the
transformers cartoons. Oh CGI for Oy…although to be perfectly honest of all
the characters in all books, i wouldn’t mind if they wrote Oy out of it. let’s face
it it will just look silly on screen
July 21st, 2007 at 6:00 pm
“…oland.”
You could never write Oy out.
Keanu Reeves as Roland. Laugh, then think about it.
July 22nd, 2007 at 9:03 pm
I agree that Oy could never be written out. He is as much a part of the story as anyone. Recently I saw a movie called London With Chris Evans in it and it was amazing how much he looked like Eddie. Keanu Reeves Is a funny pick for Roland because he just does not have the stones to play the part. Has Anyone considered Gary Sinese as the Man in black??
July 22nd, 2007 at 9:05 pm
Maybe Clint could Play Steven Deshain.
July 23rd, 2007 at 1:34 pm
I really hope that Cree Summers will play the role of Suzanna. She’d be PERFECT!!
July 24th, 2007 at 10:37 am
I just hope they can convince Stephen King to play himself.
July 25th, 2007 at 7:19 am
newbee, I hope the movie is just as good as the book thats all.
July 25th, 2007 at 7:21 am
newbee, I hope the movie is just as good as the book thats all. oh and to coment on what Oy said SK usually makes a cameo apearance in all his movies
July 25th, 2007 at 7:22 am
hellow, any one out there!
July 26th, 2007 at 10:06 pm
I wonder if the King man ever views this web sight? If he does maybe we should get a royalty for casting this movie. Any thoughts on the location that the movies should be filmed at? New Zeland Worked wonderfully for the lord of the rings movies. I just hope that King is on the set for them as the consultant. If these movies come out and they suck I am going to be totally bummed.
July 26th, 2007 at 10:08 pm
This is totally unrelated but why is the time of these entries all off?
July 26th, 2007 at 10:10 pm
What would be funny is to cast Nick Nolte as Gasher. He’s Pretty messed up already so they could save a bundle on makeup.
July 29th, 2007 at 2:20 am
Bruce Willis as Roland
Ed Burns or Shia Lebouf
Halle Berry as Susannah
some little shit as Jake
July 29th, 2007 at 2:21 am
Ed Burns or Shia Lebouf as Eddie
um Alan Rickman as the man in Black
July 29th, 2007 at 2:23 am
How about a cgi scorpion with the face of The Rock as the crimson king?
July 30th, 2007 at 9:12 pm
hey i’m sittin hear all these ppl crap on about how they’ve read DT this many times & who should play who & will king play himself??? well i’m a more recent discoverer of DT & i just wanna add my pieces worth… 1stly most of the suggestions 4 Roland r a mile off in my opinion… he’s called “old long, tall & ugly” 4 a reason so maybe it wouldnt b a bad idea 2 think of some1 over 6′6. & considering Roland & Eddie 1st visit king in ‘77 i think its probably a little beyond him 2 play himself. still not sure i like the idea of a film, think it’d take 2 much from the original & only give ppl without the patience or wit access 2 wot is in my opinion the greatest piece of literacy of all time.
July 31st, 2007 at 12:35 am
Nichalos Cage as Roland Deschain
Ewan Mcgregor or Keanu Reeves as Eddie
Gary Sinese as Walter o Dim
Gary Busey as tick tock man
Nick Nolte as Gasher
Bruce Willis as Cort
Halle Berry as Dette/Odetta/Mia/Susannah
Lian Neeson as Father Callahan
Jake Lloyd as Jake Chambers
Jason Isaacs as Steven Deschain
My list goes on
July 31st, 2007 at 10:29 pm
im a big fan of stephen king and im reading the dark tower septet currently. ive really been wanting to hear about news about the movies. if someones gonna make them, they have to be EXTRAORDINARY! each one of the books has to be in its own movie to pay its full respects for the work stephen king put into each of them!
August 3rd, 2007 at 9:09 am
I would boo a movie. The book, although flawed, is perfect. You all know what I mean. A movie would bastardize the book, and cause people to think of these characters as the people who play them. Think of Fight Club. I saw the movie before the book and couldn’t shake Brad Pitt as Tyler, while my brother had a totally different perspective, having read the book first. I really hope it doesn’t happen. The Lord of the Rings adaption was OK, but missed a lot from the book. You honestly can’t skip anything from the 4000 pages of this epic. You’d have to do 7 movies, at 3 hours each, for it to be good, in my opinion. That said, if a movie did come out, of course I would have to go see it. It would have to open on the 19th of some month. I agree with Clive Owen as Roland, Thandie Newton for Susannah becuase she has the range to play crazy, nice, etc., and I think Christian Bale for Eddie because he’s been known to lose tons of weight for roles. Then he could gain it back and be Eddie the Gunslinger later. Jake should be some amazing unknown kid actor. The Man In Black should be Will Smith or Tommy Lee Jones (ha.) I have a lot of opinion for someone who truly doesn’t want a movie, don’t I? Please, Mr. King, don’t ever make a movie of this. Wait until after we’re both dead to let someone swindle the rights from your family and ruin it after we’ve died.
Jake Gross
August 3rd, 2007 at 6:04 pm
for the characters, i think they should be some random people, no popular movie star. if this movie does go into production, it HAS to be on big screen, simply because THERE THE BEST BOOKS E V E R!
August 12th, 2007 at 7:50 am
Halle Berry? Seriously? I can’t believe no one has thought of Gina Torres for Susannah.
Viggo sounds like a good pick for Roland.
August 13th, 2007 at 10:31 am
Gina Torres, shes not a bad Susanah, but personally, i believe Jada Pinkett Smith is the perfect person to ROCK that roll! (no pun intended). And i think Gary Oldman ( ‘Dracula’ from ram Stoker’s Dracula/ ‘Serius Black’ From the Hary Potter Films. He is just a perfect match for that roll. He can do evil (as we saw from Dracula and his roll as Dr. Smith in the Lost in Space movie) And as for casting Roland, well, thats a real fuckaroo. Clive Owen, not a BAD choice, not nesicarily a good one either. And Viggo Mortensen, not bad at all, just have to make him look older for the film. AH, and Hugh Jackman…folks, just no…in no capacity could Jackman play Roland without turning the movie into a complete piece of shit. He is a good actor, yes, but he is NOT Roland Deschain. So, if anyone has any thoughts on my choices, please post them.
August 13th, 2007 at 10:54 am
coffeeandrose Says:
July 21st, 2007 at 6:00 pm
“…oland.â€
You could never write Oy out.
Keanu Reeves as Roland. Laugh, then think about it.
Keanu Reeves as Roland, thats a head scratcher… I laughed when i first heard the idea, then i lookedup some pictures or Reeves and i didnt seem that crazy. The hardest thing to get past, though, would easily be his voice. The Mr Im so stoned but dont want to admit it voice. Most notibly from the Matrix when he uttered the Oscar worthy line of dialogue, “I know kung-fu”…. though he may be able to pull it ff, he still wouldnt be my first choice (thought im still not sure who would be….ill stick with what i said about an unknow being the best way to go)
August 13th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
Peter Stormare must play Roland!!!
August 13th, 2007 at 2:32 pm
Peter Stormare doesnt have what it takes to be Roland… he played the devil in Constantine, and that was a perfect roll for him….But Roland Deschain? i dont think so.
August 13th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
Roland=Lance Henriksen… he is second only to Eastwood when it comes to looks, and he is a good actor! so y not!
August 19th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
Interesting choices on casting picks, I think most of those people are too old. Or look too old. Walken as Walter though, yeah, I like that.
My only hope is that they do this movie right and actually make 7 of them. Just like with the Harry Potter series, it’s important to lock in a great cast NOW for all 7 books. And again, to do it right, each movie is going to have to be epic like the LOTR series was.
What about doing this as a long TV series? Each book could easily translate to a full season (say, 15-18 shows) on TV. Hmmm.
I will have to side on the minority on the casting. The cast should be made of mostly relative unknowns. If you put someone like Gibson or Willis (blech on both, personally) in the lead role, then it becomes about getting them paid and not about making a great movie.
You, as the director who is a fan of King’s work and fan of the story, have to be able to work without worrying about bruising high dollar ego and without the worry of those same egos changing the story or tweaking bits because they “don’t think it’s right” and so on.
Again, done right, this is going to be the kind of movie that should create names. I think it would suffer from having (a lot of) big names attached to it. Go with unknown or lesser known talent.
Another case in point. When the LOTR trailers were running, in theaters and at home, I don’t ever remember once seeing a cast member’s name on the screen. The focus was the story. Flash forward to now and the next big release by the same film studio “The Golden Compass” and every trailer feels stained by the cast names. Do you really need to see Nicole Kidman’s name to know it’s her? No. It’s like telling me you have no confidence in the movie to stand on its own merits but look at who we have in it.
To do this right you’re going to have to get a cast that believes in the work, that believes in the story and wants to be a part of it.
Man, I hope it gets done right.
August 19th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
It seems like everyone brushed past the suggestion of Edward Norton as Eddie. I think he could really pull it off. Also, I think it was Cristian Bale who played the lead role in The Machinist, and in that form he would be perfect for the strung out eddie. Crazy, skinny as hell and at the same time with that fire to him. He might be the perfect choice, and as seen from the switch from The Machinist to Batman, he would be able to pull off the muscle gain that Eddie does after meeting up with Roland.
August 19th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
Gina Torres for Susanna, yes yes yes
Nathan Fillion for Roland and Ben Browder for Eddie
August 19th, 2007 at 8:31 pm
How about Lisa Gay Hamilton for Odetta? I think she’s got the right persona for the role and she can swing from soft to hard well.
August 19th, 2007 at 8:34 pm
O.K. I think I’ve got it.
Roland – Clint Eastwood or a no name actor (age is not an issue here). Clive Owen could do it, but he needs to work on desperation a bit more he’s a little too wooden.
Eddie – Ed Burns or Ed Norton could do it. Johnny Deep might work too (need to rough them up a bit, who ever it is need to be able to do strung out well.)
Susanah – Gina Torres (little competition on this one)
Jake – I want a no name kid here (one that can act, no starwars anakin types)
The man in Black – Lance Henriksen
August 19th, 2007 at 8:34 pm
Oh…And King has to play himself.
August 19th, 2007 at 8:46 pm
With the half-assed way he finished the series, he is really worried about a film adaptation? He basically fucked us all over with the last book. Let the movie be shitty, or let JJ change the end.
SK stopped giving a shit about his books about when Gerald’s Game came out. That book I had to force myself through since I am such a King fan.
August 19th, 2007 at 9:54 pm
Awesome. A movie about the best Stephen King book ever. I hope it lives up to the book. Long live Roland! If this is half as good as The Shining movie that would be awesome. You can vote for your favorite Stephen King movie today at Pollicious. http://www.pollicious.com
August 19th, 2007 at 10:25 pm
the actors should be relatively unknown ….. i dont wanna see some hollywood fulla which everyones knows and has opinions of ……
August 20th, 2007 at 4:27 am
i agree, all characters should be relatively un-known, it would have a better, and bigger impact….
i think Roland should be: Josh Holloway.
i didn’t think so at first, but when you think about it, he fits in kinda well really!
August 20th, 2007 at 7:30 am
I agree with TACO.
The end of the series is a waste. All the metaphysical and psychological bullshit that went into the story seems to go nowhere. If you ever wanted to feel unsatisfied at finishing any large task, there is no bigger let down than the end of the Gunslinger.
J.J. could change the end of the series, but I doubt it.
August 20th, 2007 at 8:47 am
Young Roland (and maybe the old one to) could be played by Heath Ledger
August 20th, 2007 at 11:52 am
With a great director and a cast of relative unknowns, it could definitely work. But Clint Eastwood as Roland, come on, that would be absolutly perfect!!!!!!! Hell, in the book he’s described as being old, weathered and ugly. And it would have to be at least 4 or 5 movies, it not 7.
August 20th, 2007 at 11:55 am
And hell, for director, what about Tarintino?
August 20th, 2007 at 11:55 am
And hell, for director, what about Tarentino?
August 20th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
Tarentino would be a great director! i think. but clint eastwood? when he was younger yes, now…..NO!
just another question, what book was the best? and what was the worst?
August 20th, 2007 at 12:04 pm
in your opinion….
August 20th, 2007 at 12:09 pm
Though I always pictured Clint Eastwood as Roland, it’s true his age would make it very impractical.
So I say lets cast Joaquin Phoenix as Roland, Ed Norton as Eddie, the rest wouldn’t even matter.
I also agree that there is no way the story would work without Oy.
August 21st, 2007 at 2:36 am
Hey, but wasn’t Roland old? He is not your regular action hero, by the time of book 5 he was suffering from arthritis. He was well trained, right, but the passing time was his enemy as much any villain of the story. You simply cannot cast somebody in his 30/40s here.
Movie adaptation is terrible idea, btw. Especially with such a “fashionable” director as J.J Abrams.
August 21st, 2007 at 6:26 am
I’m not sure if i’m excited or repulsed by the idea of a film adaptation of DT. I’ve been reading these books for the last 13 years, and have read the series in it’s entirety at least three times. My wife and I (she’s a big DT fan as well) have played a game numerous times where we try to cast DT overall.
To jump subjects quick, I have to say that The King’s movie record has been a bit spotty at best, (which he’s admitted), and if this movie(s) is/are done poorly, I will cry, spit on, and burn the celluloid on which it’s printed.
I’ll try to sum up a few character choices here.
For Roland, I’d nominate Daniel Craig, Hugh Jackman, or possibly someone who, while not “unknown”, is perhaps an excellent stage actor, or something of the sort. I would be disgusted by seeing a B-list actor depicting Roland. Not because I have a problem with b-listers, i think a Ray Liotta, Gary Sinise, or others are good actors, but there is a certain taint that goes hand in hand, and it’s hard to dis-associate the actor from the character.
“But people in their 30/40’s SIMPLY could not portray Roland”
Wrong.
You’d need someone with a bit of youth or athleticism to be able to depict Roland and gain/lose weight with the part. Digital effects and make-up can compensate, very well.
-Daniel Craig is grizzled, but i don’t know if he could be dark enough for the role.
-Jackman is certainly versatile enough for the role, his work on stage and in The Fountain are enough to convince me of that.
For Eddie, I think that Jared Leto or Ed Norton would be good choices.
I think they both could pull of the look of youth for the characters, and Leto certainly did the junkie bit in a convincing way in Requiem for a Dream.
-Ed Norton is versatile and could bulk up or slim down as necessary, and would be a good fit.
Jake is a tough cast, but I also am not familiar with many “great” young actors.
Susannah could be played well by Halle Barry, or maybe Gabrielle Union…
Halle Barry would be a standout, but the name power could be an issue. I agree whole-heartedly with what a previous poster wrote about movies being stained with big names as ticket draw-ins.
…If only Halle were an unknown with the talent and versatility she has.
I think if coached well that Gabrielle Union could play Susannah well also, she’s a solid actress, but her ability to play a character of Detta/Odetta/Susannah is definitely untested.
For Walter, I think Ian McShane would be a possibility.
Just a few suggestions and reasons while we’re all just speculating and mentally casting :P
August 21st, 2007 at 6:31 am
Also, I think the idea of installment movies (A la Harry Potter) is the ONLY way to adapt the series…. Mini-series would be a disastrophe, unless it was done in the vein of Deadwood, two hours at a time, and on a cable network without much in the way of content limitations.
The Stand was so disappointing, networks are dead.
August 21st, 2007 at 3:40 pm
I feel hesitant about this book being made into a movie, but if they’re gonna do it, JJ has to be about the best pick to ensure that it doesn’t suck. There’s no way he’d helm something that ends sucking too bad. But you never know I guess
August 22nd, 2007 at 4:58 am
thank you Thrall, thats what i was gunna try to get across, about all the subjects, to the other DT enthusiasts. i completely agree with all you decisions of who should be played.
now i might only be 13, but i am quiet smart, and intellectual, for my age, the whole DT series, so far for me, have been amazing, but i would wish for the movie to have the same impact as the book did.
August 22nd, 2007 at 10:51 pm
Without a doubt the best book was Wizard and Glass. This is also probably going to be the toughest to cast. Some of my picks for that one (and my wifes) are as follows Sam Elliot for Jonas, Michel Madson For one of the Big Coffin Hunters, Helena Bonham Carter as Rea of the Coos (if you doubt it watch Big Fish), Billy Crudup as Eddie’s Older Brother Henry. And how about Alison Lohman as Susanna? She’s a good actress and fairly unknown. As for the worst book (and i think a lot of you will agree) it has to be the last one. It was a major let down, I’ve been reading those books for a long time and it seems to me that King just got tired of writing them and needed an out. I will forever be a huge fan but that was the biggest bullshit ending of all time.
August 24th, 2007 at 10:25 am
Blaine, your suggestions on wizards and glass are excellent, and if there’s an argument for an epic installment movie series, then Wizards and Glass is it.
I do disagree about the last book…
But people are polarized one way or the other on that.
I think it was the only ending that was right.
Just because we didn’t get the ending we wanted doesn’t stop the ending we got from being right and true.
August 24th, 2007 at 10:29 am
Also….
I do have reservations about having a flavor of the month fella like JJ is iffy…
I’m a huge Frank Miller fan, and i think the gritty styling he could bring to DT, and the atmospheric softness necessary would be brought well by him… or maybe the team that worked on deadwood.
August 24th, 2007 at 4:11 pm
imdb.com has a page up about the movie now with a date for 2010. Unfortunately that’s the only information it has if you aren’t a subscriber (which I am not). It doesn’t say whether it’s going to be a series or not, although with 7 Harry Potter movies, and trilogies suddenly being all the rage, I don’t see why they couldn’t do each book separately.
Casting wise, I think they should go with mostly unknowns. Because with well known actors you often see them as their other characters no matter how good their acting is, and for something like DT you really wouldn’t want that.
August 25th, 2007 at 11:55 am
Roland- Val Kilmer (Jim Morrison, Doc Holiday)
Eddie Dean- Edward Norton
Jake- ? (any young talent)
Susannah, Odetta, Detta, Mia — Jada Pinkett Smith, Rosario Dawson
Walter (the man in black) — Micheal Wincott
Lord Perth– Arnold Govenator
Randal Flagg — Peter Fonda
Calvin Tower — Johnny Depp
Pere Callahan– Randy Quaid
August 25th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
Stephen King — Narrator throughout series
Blaine- (voiced) Hugo Weaving
It will be quite a challange to make these books into movies, without it totally being lost in translation. It will require a great attention to detail and a great knowledge of the entire story. I hope JJ Abrams is up to the challenge and I hope he listens to others to create an overall interpretation that doesn’t suck. I think part one The Gunslinger could almost be a better movie than a book, the others, well they will be harder to make better movies than books, because the books are really good and well detailed. The Drawing of Three and The Wastelands would be interesting to see on the big screen, I can see it now the city of Lud. Please hire real fans to help make this, i would gladly take the job.
August 26th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
i think, possibly this could become a T.V. series, such as heros or lost…. it would be great 15-19 episodes per season…. thats only my suggestion though…
August 27th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
Damian Lewis (Dreamcatcher) as Roland (no brainer)
August 28th, 2007 at 1:49 am
I like the idea of clive owen if they can make him look older a bit. sam elliot would make an excellent jonas. Thandie Newton as susannah is perfect too. I have a suggestion for eddie though. What about Justin Chatwick? Oy must be kept as well.
August 29th, 2007 at 9:46 am
yea, ed norton should be roland instead of eddie!
August 29th, 2007 at 6:32 pm
I just really see Ed Norton as Eddie Dean especially in The Drawing of The Three and The Wastelands and the start of Wizard. I can see Ed Norton having a battle of wits with Blaine. I really think Val Kilmer would be a good Roland he’s about the right age and he has the acting skills. Roland to me is a cross between Clint Eastwood, Doc Holiday, and Jim Morrison wandering through the desert in the first book. Clive Owen was great in Children of Men and could possibly pull off Roland pretty well. It wouldn’t disapoint me to see him as Roland. Thandie Newton and Jada Pinkett Smith could pull off Susannah except I see her with a really dark complextion, Lady Blackbird and all. Maybe an unknown actress would be better. I like most of the suggestions here. Wizard and Glass is the best book, 5,6, & 7 were sheer entertainment a complete inthralling blessing from the Master. Thank you SK for the wonderfull journey. “KA LIKE THE WIND!”
August 30th, 2007 at 3:21 am
Roland- Val Kilmer
Eddie Dean- Edward Norton
Jake- ? (any young talent)
Susannah, Odetta, Detta, Mia — Jada Pinkett Smith, Thandie Newton
Walter (the man in black) — Michael Wincott (from The Crow, Robin Hood)
Lord Perth– Arnold (the Govenator)
Blaine — (voiced) Hugo weaving
Randal Flagg — Peter Fonda
Calvin Tower — Johnny Depp
Pere Callahan– Randy Quaid
Narrator–Stephen King
I think the script should have actual narration in all seven movies like Richard Dryfus in Stand By Me, but have it be Stephen Kings voice reading certain parts straight out of the books. It makes sence if you think about it. The whole time he could be narrating from the Key World, but that doesn’t make scence till later. So if I were JJ Abrams and I wanted to do this thing right I would script record and shoot all of SK’s parts first and pay him $19 dollars to do it. Film all his scenes with blue screen and add in the rest later. I mean if you wanted to make it truley authentic. That was always the biggest thing that I feared about the books, that he would somehow die before he finished them and his Ka-tet would remain in the purgatory of his mid-world mind forever. That fear is now back with the word that he has optioned the DT books to JJ. It all seems so Ironic now, it’s the fear that it will all be over soon that drives us ehhh!
August 30th, 2007 at 11:59 am
john lequizamo anyone? think of spawn. he talks quick, his smile comes easy. slather him with make-up. instant eddie. (brandon lee probably would have been perfect, and i apologize for mentioning it)
halle berry - monster’s ball: detta
halle berry - the hacker movie with hugh jackman odetta and/or susannah
daniel craig - bond - perfect monotonous one-line answers for roland. just dye his hair brown and yes, he has the shooters eyes.
i think whomever they cast as jake would make or break the film
this kid’s gotta play crazy, whiny, scary, tough, childish etc. etc. etc.
they might even have to cast different characters as the seperate movies progress. and what are you people thinking with the mini-series stuff. think of the vast expanses of desert, blaine the mono scenes. the city of lud, gashers run through lud with jake in tow. etc etc etc.
this needs to be 7 seperate big budget full on hollywood films with all the doodads. it’s the environs of the different where’s and when’s that make it so gritty, not roland. roland’s a drab, monotonous but idyllic character. like a dirty harry from another world. how many times did the narrative talk about just how un-imaginative and dispassionate roland was. usually stories like this have a spectacular hero, with boring backdrops. roland is more like a stone in some alien ocean teeming with strange life. his plainness makes him the exception in the world king layed out for him.
August 30th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
This is the first time I’ve posted since August 13th, but I’ve been checking up on this site every chance I’ve had the last few weeks. Like someone posted a while back (I can’t remember who, and this discussion has become so long, that going back t find out who it was would jsut be crazy) , I sure hope someone who is on the making of the movie (King or Abrams even) hs found this site and is listening to their fans. Some of the ideas being thrown around are really great. Ed Norton as Eddie for instance. I’m still reading the DT series for my fist time (I’m almost 200 pages into the last book) and ever since I read the suggestion of Mr. Norton as Mr. Dean, I’ve been picturing him and his voice. Along with everyone else who has posted, Jake almost deffinatly has to be an unknown (but good, that goes without saying) young actor. No Anikins or Cole Sears (that was the kid from “The Sixth Sense”) please! Susannah/Detta/ Otetta would be good as Jada Pinket Smith (as I believe I’ve said before), because if anyone has seen “The Matrix”, you know she can kick ass, and her acting is solid. The only real competition (in my opinion, which I’m sure knowbody really cares for, ha ha) for that role would be Thandie Newton. She is bautiful and has an air of danger about her (as does Susannah/Otetta/Detta) and her acting in Mission Impossible II was awsome.
…and that brings me to Roland. This character (to me) must be cast perfectly, or I’m not sure if i could even watch without wanting to kill myself as each second of the film passed my eye (as I’m sure many of you out there feel). Thus far, people have been suggesting actors such as Hugh Jackman, Heath Ledger, Val Kilmer and Daniel Craig (just to name a few) for the role of the Gunslinger. Hugh Jackman could maybe pull it off,but Roland is known by some as “old long, tall and ugly” and (being a straight guy, don’t get me wrong) Jackman isn’t realy any of the above (except maybe tall). Heath Ledger is just too young for such a role. Roland must be in his 60s at least, and Ledger is just too young to even be made up to look like that. Ledger has been cast as the Joker for the upcoming Batman film, “The Dark Knight” (which I am anticipating gittily, being a HUGE Batman fan).That role will show his real range as an actor to many people (me especially, since I am not familure with really any of Ledger’s work, so his range as an actor is a mystery to me.) Time will tell for Ledge. Val Kilmer as Roland is another interesting suggestion. His range seems good (I am also a huge Jim Morrison fan) and his look could be tailored to suit the roll. Last but not least (for me; for now) is Daniel Craig. I have only seen him as James Bond in Casino Royale, but his talent as an actor to me seems very clear: he’s good… but could he be Roland? He doesn’t really have the “old long, tall and ugly” look to him. He could maybe loose some muscle to bulk down for the roll, but I still don’t think he has the look, which is essential in this case.
To me, the perfect pick for Roland would have to be Lance Henriksen. He has the look that is topped only by Eastwood when it comes to Roland. He is also a fairly solid actor. (please, if you don’t know who he is, look him up on Google images, and tell me he doesn’t look perfect for Roland… I dare you to be able to do that.)
Well, that is it for me for now. Remeber, these have only been my opinions, and if anyoe agrees or diagrees, please post it. I’d love some feedback. Long Days and pleasent nights to you.
August 30th, 2007 at 2:54 pm
Lance Henriksen, nice suggestion but realistically you might as well cast a Digital Clint Eastwood, i did the math and Lance is 67 now. Abrams is too busy to even do this project untill like 2010, it took about 8 years to do the three Lord of the Rings including pre-production. So you would have to assume if they were starting pre-production now which the aren’t, most likely. It’s going to be some years before we see The Gunslinger on screen (please be on screen not TV) and about Ten years before we see The Dark Tower so that would mean Lance will be 80 at the premier for Dark Tower 7. So once again i choose Val Kilmer as Roland, think about it he could do it with some class. Plus I live in L.A. and i saw Val Kilmer at a Laker game this year and I was like dude he so could be Roland in my mind. I see what you mean about Lance though I feel the same about Eastwood. If you’ve never seen High Plains Drifter watch it, That is Roland of Gilead as a matter of fact that movie reminds me of the first book a lot. JJ Abrams needs to finish up on the nerdy stuff he’s working on and devote the rest of his career to The Dark Tower otherwise he is not the man for the Job.
September 4th, 2007 at 4:01 pm
I’m also kinda new to the whole dark tower but since Iv gotten the books I cant stop reading them, anyway I LOVE the idea of Clint Eastwood as Steven Deschain. Blain your ideas are the best.
September 4th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
Also, Whoever plays Roland has to be tall, rugged, and can pull off a total cowboy look just like Clint Eastwood always did. And NO Bruce Willis, OR ANYONE THAT IS NOT COWBOY LIKE MATERIAL!!
September 12th, 2007 at 7:25 pm
I keep seeing Ian McShane come up for the Man in Black. What about McShane for Roland? He is a bit on the older side, but definitely has the look and the acting ability to play that type of character. He would have to lose weight to take on the role, but he’d be great.
September 15th, 2007 at 10:12 am
Roland - Viggo Mortensen/Hugh Jackman(young Eastwood look-a-like)
Eddie - Sean William Scott
Susannah - Jada Pinkett Smith
Jake - that dude from 6th sense ;) (or is he too old now?)
Walter - Chris Walken
Pere Callahan - James Cromwell
Sheemie - Andy Serkis
Ted Brautigan - Anthony Hopkins(Hearts in Atlantis)
September 19th, 2007 at 3:45 am
I liked the gunslinger books all up to Wizard&Glass, after that the books quickly degenerated. Roland getting arthritis, the Oy dancing and bowing in Wolves of the Calla, Stephen King writing himself into the book. I thought it sucked the big one! Make a movie out of The Gunslinger, Drawing of the three and the Wastelands. The rest is just shite.
September 20th, 2007 at 7:45 am
What about Russell Crowe as Roland? He has the quiet strength to carry the role (Gladiator) and always adds credibility to the big budget pictures.
September 20th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
I can’t believe noone hasn’t suggested it yet! The absolute perfect Roland!
HARRISON FORD!!! DUH… I win!
September 20th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
funny that does work, I vote for Harrison as Roland, good suggestion, Thankie Sai! and Ed Norton as Eddie.
September 21st, 2007 at 10:35 am
I think Clive Owen would make a good Roland, he’s got that kinda rough look I always imagined Roland would have. Man I can’t wait to eben just see the trailer for this, I am so excited.
September 21st, 2007 at 11:30 am
Roland - Viggo Mortensen/Hugh Jackman(young Eastwood look-a-like)
Eddie - Sean William Scott
Susannah - Jada Pinkett Smith
Jake - that dude from 6th sense ;) (or is he too old now?)
Walter - Chris Walken
Pere Callahan - James Cromwell
Sheemie - Andy Serkis
Ted Brautigan - Anthony Hopkins(Hearts in Atlantis)
very good actors and actresses!!!
September 21st, 2007 at 3:45 pm
god, i really havent read anything new about this since February though. I hope its start getting some more momentum.
September 30th, 2007 at 5:40 pm
I’m new to this website but not to Dark Tower. I’m very excited about the whole movie idea. I believe that the cast must be as perfect as the story they are telling. You all have given some great casting ideas such as Haley Joel Oswald from sixth sense as Jake. He was my choice from the moment I met Jake. However, the most important role to cast is that of Roland. I think some great choices have been thrown out there. But we must remember that his most memorable trait is his eyes! Therefore, whomever gets the role must have eyes that are as clear as a spring sky, as deep as the ocean and as mystic as all the universe. T here are a lot of great actors who could do the part justice, but do they have the eyes! This one will be hard to find!
October 3rd, 2007 at 10:13 am
I think Lauren Hill would be perfect for the role of Odetta/Detta Walker
Viggo Mortensen as Roland
Ryan Gosslin as Eddie Dean
I think this would work out great on HBO
If it did go to the Big Screen, I can only think of Peter Jackson. He would get it right and do it justice.
October 3rd, 2007 at 3:31 pm
J.J. Abrams is doing it , not Peter Jackson. You know the guy doing the untitled Cloverfeild project, which some speculate to be a Voltron movie, he also does the show Lost. I think he and his staff could do a good job. I would rather see the DT become 2 and half to 3 hour long movies, 7 movies. TV wouldn’t do it justice I don’t think, I personaly would like to see Mid-World on the big screen.
October 3rd, 2007 at 4:46 pm
I too would like to see mid-world on the big screen. But 7 movies might be a little much. My 4 year old would be grown by the time Roland reached the Dark Tower. I think maybe 3 movies would be enough if they were done right. I love details and would expect to miss nothing of the story. Each actor/actress would have to be perfect.
October 3rd, 2007 at 6:06 pm
You can never have to much of a good thing, plus if you want details… even with 7 movies you aren’t going to get all the details that the books have. Also they should all be rated R so when your four year old is grown she can watch them then. I had to wait a long time between books. I started when I was 16. I read the first three, then had to wait like 4 years to find out how 3 ended, then another long wait for the next three books. Atleast I only had to wait 1 year each for the last three books. I read the last book slow not wanting it to end. So all in all it took me 17 years to read all 7 books, I’m 33. Part of my love for the Tower was the wait.
October 5th, 2007 at 7:47 am
Is anyone else kinda sad they are making a movie so soon??? I mean this novel has taken decades to produce, and its going to be hack/chopped into a movie. Just a bit disappointed, not saying i won’t be first in line to go watch it..lol..but there is no way they can express in video what King wrote on paper..
October 5th, 2007 at 7:52 am
I’m a bit disappointed they are making a movie. I’m not saying i won’t be the first to go watch it, but they could never make anything remotely close in movie that would make me feel how I did reading the books. This series was decades in the making, i really hope they don’t hack/chop a movie out of it like lord of the rings. I do think it would make an amazing movie however it will never be the same..I also have not finished last book, don’t want it to come to an end…
October 5th, 2007 at 8:34 am
I am disappointed that they’re making a movie. Especially when King said that we, The Constant Reader, should decide how The Dark Tower and its characters look in our minds. In the introduction to the unabridged version of The Stand, he said that he doesn’t like making movies of books sometimes becuase you end up not being able to use your own imagination. Kind of like if you saw Fight Club before you read it, you would always see Brad Pitt as Tyler Durden, regardless of how the book describes him. Nonetheless, he made a stinker TV movie out of The Stand. In fact, the movies that come from Kings novels are never as good as the novels themselves, and often flop. He knows he doesn’t, by any means, need the money, or need to express the book that way, so why do it? I wrote him a letter asking him not to (like that would make any difference). However, obviously, if a movie came out, I would have to see it, and, I can almost guarantee that I would be disappointed by it.
October 5th, 2007 at 10:08 am
The best SK books to movies; Shawshank Redemption, Stand By Me, Misery(except in the book Annie runs over the Sheriff with a lawnmower in the movie she shoots him in the chest with a shotgun, and in the movie she breaks both his ankles in the book she chops off a foot.), The Shining (Stanley K’s version), Carrie (both were good), I liked Lawnmower man, The short Battelfield in Nightmares and Dreamscapes. I haven’t read the book but Desperation was a good movie. Thinner, was good, a lot like the book.
Firestarter was good. Creepshow good, His short stories translate better on film.
Worst SK books to movies; Christine (loved the book the movie was chopped up bad), It (loved the book, again left way too much out in the movie.) same with The Stand. Needful Things (Liked the book a lot the movie sucked pretty bad), The Dark Half (loved the book, the movie was okay but fell short.) Cujo better book, The Running Man, better as a book.
Pet Sematary (movie fell way short, the book was actually scarey).
I already know the Dark Tower movies won’t reach my expectations, but I still want to see them. I actually think the first book would almost be better as a movie. The last four will be the hardest to translate into film. I just hope people read the books first before they watch the films.
October 5th, 2007 at 10:20 am
Uhhhh, can anyone tell me a movie that was actually as good as the book? Any movie? I can’t think of any. The movies don’t usually do the book justice, but I like seeing the books I have read made into movies. Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter just to name a few. The movies always leave a few things out that the books have, but if they didn’t we would be sitting in a theater for 6 hours, which I personally wouldn’t mind for this series. I think it is a great series and it will be the best of Kings work yet. I wouldn’t mind seeing the books made into a series/movie. Let the story be told in a series on tv with the big name actors, then complete the story by making a finale big screen movie. I haven’t seen that done before, but I would watch a week long series, even two weeks, all leading up to the movie. I can’t wait to see what is decided. It also wouldn’t hurt if Mr. King himself was on the set helping direct.
October 5th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
I guess I’m fortunate to have stumbled on Dark Tower late. I had never heard of the story until I saw the first 3 books in a box set at a thrift store. I was curious about some one called Gunslinger,so I bought it. Needless to say. I was hooked. I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. By the time I met Roland , books 5 and 6 were in the stores. Point being, I didn’t have to wait long. I am 36 and I read all 7 books in less than a year. I too did not want the story to end. So I am reading the whole series again. Like watching a great movie, you always see things you missed or don’t remember each time you re-play it. I hope the movie/movies is finished before my 4 tear old goes off to college so we can watch together. I’m sure he will enjoy it as much as me.
October 6th, 2007 at 11:15 am
Yeah, you are lucky, for years I had nightmares about SK somehow dying before he could finish the Dark Tower. I feared that Roland and his Ka-tet would be left stranded forever walking on the path of the beam. Ironic that it took SK having a near death experience to finally get the inspiration to finish Rolands quest. Make your 4 year old read the books first, but I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that. If anyone knows how to get in contact with J.J. Abrams I’d like to send him some suggestions, as so should we all, he’ll more than likely muck it up. So much happens in characters minds and SK’s that it will almost be impossible to accurately translate the books into film, but it will be fun to see them try. If they do it as a TV series, which I am apposed to, it should be 1