Stephen King's Epic "The Dark Tower" - Part 1

[terry78]

Haha, Howard wants him bad, man.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Yep.

 

[Sawyer]

Haha, Howard wants him bad, man.

He's not even still directing, is he?

 

[kvz5]

Doesn't seem like it.

 

[king666]

This should be a TV series.

 

[flickchick85]

I just can't find the energy to get excited about any news regarding this anymore. It's taken way too damn long.

 

[Sawyer]

I just can't find the energy to get excited about any news regarding this anymore. It's taken way too damn long.

Well, I mean, I have a mild excitement, but really, after as many stalls as we've been through with this, I'm going to need to see signed documents, production stills and a full trailer to actually believe this is something we're getting.

 

[Octoberist]

I hope they include those bird headed people.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

I just can't find the energy to get excited about any news regarding this anymore. It's taken way too damn long.

You are right of course. But, The Gunslinger is a personal favorite, so I can't help getting a bit excited.

 

[Octoberist]

I'm a little worried because Rothman is the new head of Sony.

 

[Roose Bolton]

What's the rub on the TV series/companion piece? Is that going anywhere?

 

[Octoberist]

It's confusing because of all of the developments. But I got the TV/Film deal with The Stand.

It looks like The Dark Tower will only be a film series.

The Stand, however, will be both a TV mini-series, which will conclude as a film (which is awfully ambitious).

 

[Octoberist]

And if these two properties get a-going, Matthew BETTER be in both. The studios should work out a deal.

 

[elgaz]

I'm halfway through the final book in the series, and I could really, really get behind McConaughey as Roland Deschain. Perfect mix of hardass coupled with emotional vulnerability (at times), and he has those intense eyes often referred to in the books.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

Is the first movie going to be quite low budget? I can't remember that much of this book as honestly I didn't like it but with that release date it would be silly to pump $150 million into the first movie.

 

[Rowsdower!]

If the first film is only based on The Gunslinger, it wouldn't need a huge budget. Most of that story is just Roland and Jake walking through the desert. What concerns me though is that The Gunslinger (IMO) is kind of a terrible way to introduce the series on film. It's very slow, very strange and not a whole lot happens. It's probably the most "western" of the books (other than Wizard and Glass), and westerns haven't exactly been kicking ass at the box office lately. And while you could argue that doesn't matter, I would say it does if you want to see this series completed on the big screen. I feel like The Drawing of the Three is the most engaging of the stories because it introduces Eddie and Susannah and because it takes place in both worlds. I don't know. Maybe they could kind of combine The Gunslinger and TDOTT?

 

[Octoberist]

I have a feeling that they're going to show more of the world than what was presented in the first book.

I have to admit that I couldn't get into the first book despite the cool premise.

 

[Rowsdower!]

I couldn't either. It was the second book that really got me hooked. But The Gunslinger was probably the toughest book in the series to get through, which is ironic since it's so short.

 

[Octoberist]

It's just him chasing the Man in Black, and stumbling from town to town.

 

[Rowsdower!]

Yeah. There's not much to it.

So regarding the McConaughey rumor... who would you guys rather see him play? Roland or Flagg?

I'm leaning towards Flagg, but I'd be okay with either one.

 

[Whiskey Tango]

I think he's a better fit for Flagg, personally.

 

[Rowsdower!]

Yeah, there's something about Flagg that just makes him feel like a perfect fit. Maybe it's because he was already rumored to be playing the role in The Stand (which I hope still happens; I see no reason why it couldn't, especially if TDT is a success).

As for Roland... I'm still torn on the best choice here. My number one pick will always be Hugh Jackman; I don't care what anyone says. The guy is a great actor and he looks EXACTLY like I always pictured Roland, though I'd expect him to lose some of the bulk if he was cast. David Morrissey would also be good, though I expect them to go for a bigger name or someone who is a bit younger.

 

[green]

I have a feeling that he's a changed man. Well he's changed because he has to.

I'm a little worried because Rothman is the new head of Sony.

Change of opinion?

What hope I had for this franchise flew out the window when Sony picked it up now that Rothman is there. I'd love to be proven wrong but this is a hot mess waiting to happen(or not).

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

I couldn't either. It was the second book that really got me hooked. But The Gunslinger was probably the toughest book in the series to get through, which is ironic since it's so short.

Well, same here, I thought the first was awful, it took me years to finally pick up the 2nd book at the constant insistence of some friends. I got up to Wizard and Glass and stopped but the next 3 books were so much better than the first.

 

[TheBat812]

The Gunslinger is my favorite book of the series, probably because of how much of a Western it is - it's all tone and world-building. I would agree that I would probably try to combine the first two books though, but I'm excited to see how they're going to adapt this.

McConaughey as Roland is perfect. Lean, confident, world-weary. Love it.