Stephen King Fans discussion

Apparently there is going to be a Dark Tower Series going into production...We all know they will butcher this up and take out a lot of the meat that we all know and love. My question is, however, if the people that they have chosen are good actors for the roles they want to have portrayed...

http://thefilmstage.com/2010/12/20/ru...

My opinion is based on nothing other than my gut reaction but I'd like to see either Hugh Jackman or Viggo Mortensen in the role. Not too wild about the thought of Daniel Craig (even though I LOVE him as Bond) and while Hamm is awesome and sexy and oh so cool as Don Draper I'm not wild about him as Roland either.

Christine wrote: "My opinion is based on nothing other than my gut reaction but I'd like to see either Hugh Jackman or Viggo Mortensen in the role. Not too wild about the thought of Daniel Craig (even though I LOVE..."

Only Viggo works for me. I'd keep thinking back to Vanhellsing with Jackman and both of the other two seem far to clearly European to pull off Roland. King once made it clear Clint Eastwood was a major source for Roland's attitude and look.

I'd like Viggo for it, Jackman's hot, but I don't think he has the right kind of lean look. Eastwood would be great, but he's a little old for a good chunk of Roland's stuff.
But... it doesn't much matter as long as they do the story justice. I find myself so nervous about it...

http://blastr.com/2010/12/who-should-...

NBC MAY 2013 BABY OH YEAH!

Viggo! Please Viggo!

I was thinking about Eastwood...maybe he could play in snippets as Roland's Dad, or someone else important, but older role in the program. I just hope they keep it palatable.

Did anyone else hear that Ron Howard is scheduled to direct The Dark Tower series of films beginning in 2013? He acknowledged this in his interview with Howard Stern. There are supposed to be three total films based on the books and a short television series to supplement the gaps between the films. No casting decisions yet, but he mentioned Viggo Mortensen and Javier bardem as possible leads.

Any thoughts? I for one am not sure how I feel about this. Not been a big fan of Ron Howard's films myself.

I never really think about directors/producers when I watch a movie. If it's like a big name, like Spielberg, or Cameron, or the Coen bros, then I'll be like, "hey, it might be good". But otherwise, I leave it up to the story and the actors.
What are some other movies Ron Howard has done?

Kit wrote: "I never really think about directors/producers when I watch a movie. If it's like a big name, like Spielberg, or Cameron, or the Coen bros, then I'll be like, "hey, it might be good". But otherwise..."

Frost/Nixon, The Grinch, Backdraft, Willow among others. Sadly I haven't seen too many from him in recent years that i've liked at all so this makes me anxious for The Dark Tower :( I like the idea of Viggo though :)

Don't forget Apollo 13, The Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons, Cocoon, Splash, Night Shift and A Beautiful Mind.

Some of those are great movies. I haven't seen any of his newer ones, though... I personally think Peter Jackson would be a better choice, but *shrug* Can't have everything in life.

Hey, just as a joke, what role do you think Ron Howard is going to cast for his brother, Clint Howard in one or any of the movies? The joke is that he is always in everyone of his movies.

Clint Howard can play Oy.

If he was younger he could play Sheemie.

Gatorman wrote: "Clint Howard can play Oy."

Just have to say, "Harsh, man really Harsh, man!"

Has anyone heard what channel this is supposed to air on? Will it be a TV movie or on a movie channel?

I'm excited. I really like the idea of the movie/TV series combination. I'd cast my vote for Viggo although I like the idea of Josh Brolin as Roland. I agree that Jackman is to nice and while I'm a fan of Craig I just can't see that happening. Hamm is to pretty.

Scott wrote: "Has anyone heard what channel this is supposed to air on? Will it be a TV movie or on a movie channel?"

Ron Howard indicated the rights were purchased by ABC/Disney and no decision had yet been made as to what channel owned by them they would show it, but he seemed to indicate it would probably be a cable channel.

WHAT IS GOING ON? Really they are planning on casting a white woman for Susannah???

http://geektyrant.com/news/2011/1/26/...

Angie wrote: "WHAT IS GOING ON? Really they are planning on casting a white woman for Susannah???

http://geektyrant.com/news/2011/1/26/..."

Ugh, I'm hoping they mean the white girl to play Susan and not Susannah! That would just be sooo wrong and completely change the story! We need Detta and her "honky mo-fos" and Odetta with her experiences in the South.... o man, that's a bad rumor...

Angie wrote: "WHAT IS GOING ON? Really they are planning on casting a white woman for Susannah???

http://geektyrant.com/news/2011/1/26/..."

They're just evening things up a bit. They did make Red from Shawshank a black man when he was described as a red-headded Irish man. ;)

But Susannah is black and that's a huge part of her character, so... getting a white woman to play her would just be bad.

Can't say I'm upset about seeing Christian Bale thrown into the ring but a white Susannah is ridiculous. I like Jennifer well enough and maybe she's being considered for her badassery in Dexter but still. Not cool.

Ron Howard actually appears to be concerned with the fans feelings on this one so I'm sure he wouldn't try something like that. The outrage would kill the viewership.

Felina wrote: "Can't say I'm upset about seeing Christian Bale thrown into the ring but a white Susannah is ridiculous. I like Jennifer well enough and maybe she's being considered for her badassery in Dexter but..."

Agreed on that. He said he was a big fan and wanted to be as true to the books as possible.

I can't really see Bale as Roland, He's too young and lacking the grizzle the Viggo would in the role. Susannah had better be the real one or I'll be :( po'd

I think Christian Bale would be a great Roland, Viggo would be better, but Bale is an outstanding actor. The idea of a white Susannah is just ludicrous. The only way that would work is if they are planning on changing A LOT of her back story. I would be very disappointed if that was the case. I am very anxious about this adaptation. The DT series is my absolute favorite and I would hate to see it butchered on-screen.

Guess this is official:

http://geektyrant.com/news/2011/1/26/...

That's in line with what Howard said as possible leads (Bardem and Mortensen). He has the look and the acting ability. How well can he hide the accent?

I guess I could be OK with Bardem...

For the latest Dark Tower film / mini-series news I highly recommend Lilja's Library (by far one of the most current and information-rich King sites on the web).

I'm warming up to Viggo for sure (especially after seeing him in The Road). Bardem would be interesting too (but only if he could completely lose that accent).

While deep down I know that he is now just too old, I still long to see Clint Eastwood step into the Gunslinger’s scuffed boots. Who better to play a literary icon than a film legend? Plus, I just love Clint, and when I read the books, that's who I pictured :)

My choice for Roland would be Shawn Doyle. I know he doesn't have sharp facial features like Clint Eastwood but he's very bland (like Roland). I think he could pull it off. If you've ever watched Big Love you might know what I mean.

Anyone ever watch Firefly?

When I first watched the series, I had recently read the DT series, and could see so many of the crew in that tv show playing the main characters in the DT.

Mal as Roland, Zoe as Susannah, Wash as Eddie...Book as Oy? You get the idea.

Oh. I hope it isn't Bardem. He's a good actor but ever since No Country For Old Men he's given me the creeps. Bale probably couldn't commit to this type of project because he's already in the Batman and Terminator franchises. Those will give him plenty of work for a long time. But I still think he would do good. He does grizzly and he's will to go the extra mile. Anybody seen The Machinest? Yikes.

Yes, I have. That is... unhealthy.

tek, i think gina torres would make a perfect susannah! i've been imagining her as susannah ever since firefly came out.

i'm pretty sure it's going to be bardem playing roland; there's already been an offer. i'm glad they're casting serious actors for this project, but i'm not sure about bardem; what about roland's pale blue eyes!?

I can never understand anything Bardem says :(

Awesome Lonnie! I agree. I'm disappointed he's the front runner.

don't get me wrong. I liked him in No Country For Old Men... but he didn't say much. Vicky Kristina Barcelona I had to turn on the subtitles.

I couldn’t resist jumping into this discussion. Viggo Mortensen would be amazing, but it seems Javier Bardem is pretty well set to play the role of Roland... I can live with that. In another thread, someone mentioned the idea of Christopher Walken as Flagg!! Thought that would be awesome! I have always pictured Rosario Dawson as Susannah... Can’t figure out who should play Eddie at all. Anyone else had anymore casting ideas... or, at this point, predictions?

Kevin wrote: "Hey, just as a joke, what role do you think Ron Howard is going to cast for his brother, Clint Howard in one or any of the movies? The joke is that he is always in everyone of his movies."

*SPOILER*



Whoever it was that took Jake and ran to the tick-tock man. Gasher, was it? I don't remember the name off the top of my head, but I could see Clint Howard there.

Jeremy wrote: (view spoiler)["Whoever it was that took Jake and ran to the tick-tock man. Gasher, was it? I don't remember the name off the top of my head, but I could see Clint Howard there." (hide spoiler)]

ROFL that's funny

Kit, can you please edit your post to include the spoiler warning?

To Jeremy: I think Clint Howard as Gasher would be perfect!

I think Eddie would be the hardest to cast. I would prefer Viggo or Bale as Roland, but whatever, no one asked me...

In another time, Eddie would have been perfectly played by Robert Downey jr I think (and not just because he was a real life junkie). He has that likeable swagger...who has that nowadays, but younger?

Agrimorfee wrote: "In another time, Eddie would have been perfectly played by Robert Downey jr I think (and not just because he was a real life junkie). He has that likeable swagger...who has that nowadays, but younger?"

You know he could almost still pull it off. Hmm

How about James Franco as Eddie?

I totally agree that, in another time, Robert Downey Jr. could have played Eddie perfectly. I think James Franco is a great suggestion, but would he be able to commit to something this long-term? It should be fun to see who all end up in this... uh... production. There's the potential for a lot of fun cameos, too.

****SPOILER****

I wonder if King will appear as himself...

Javier Bardem is a really interesting selection for Roland. He's pretty "in" right now in Hollywood, so I wonder where he'll find the time to commit to all those movies and series?

Here's a thought...what about Josh Holloway as Eddie? He would have to lose the southern twang, but I think he could pull it off...the hair color is wrong, though.