Welcome. There are arguments for and against the casting. All of them make sense in their own way. Only time will tell. Keep posting.
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Idris Elba is confirmed to play the role of Roland.
If Idris is playing Roland, who the hell is going to play Gripper Stebson?I am sooooo disappointed by this casting choice. We've waited many years for a DT adaptation, and whilst I expected changes and that not everyone would be satisfied, this change is so drastically major I personally won't be able to overlook it. Luckily we still have the DT books to re-read and enjoy, because I'll truly never watch this adaptation.
I also think the movies producer stating that the "racist *******s should go f**k themselves" if we do not like his casting choice is disgusting. I am in no way racist so for many of us to be generally accused as such by a man who has never met any of us is pathetic and disgusting behaviour.
PS, I actually just think Elba is a crappy actor in general and don't get all the hype...and that's from a fellow Brit.
If Idris is playing Roland, who the hell is going to play Gripper Stebson?
If Idris is playing Roland, who the hell is going to play Gripper Stebson?
I am so sorry! I understand you. I will continue to read the book by Stephen King. But the film based on the book "Dark Tower" with the actorIdris Elba is confirmed to play the role of Roland.
I will continue to read the book by Stephen King.
Yeah, already read it. Comment was made most likely after the fact.Here's what Stephen had to say in the EW interview:
"I visualized Eastwood as Roland. I loved the Spaghetti Westerns and all those widescreen close-ups of his face, especially the ones where he’d been left out in the desert and was all covered with blisters and sunburn. I thought, "That’s my Roland." As the years went by, Roland became a more particular individual in my own mind. He wasn’t Eastwood anymore. He was just... Roland.
"For me the character is still the character. It’s almost a Sergio Leone character, like ‘the man with no name.' He can be white or black, it makes no difference to me. I think it opens all kind of exciting possibilities for the backstory."
This is the quote I remember reading years ago.Here's what Stephen had to say in the EW interview:
"I visualized Eastwood as Roland. I loved the Spaghetti Westerns and all those widescreen close-ups of his face, especially the ones where he’d been left out in the desert and was all covered with blisters and sunburn. I thought, "That’s my Roland." As the years went by, Roland became a more particular individual in my own mind. He wasn’t Eastwood anymore. He was just... Roland.
"For me the character is still the character. It’s almost a Sergio Leone character, like ‘the man with no name.' He can be white or black, it makes no difference to me. I think it opens all kind of exciting possibilities for the backstory."
I read an article(The Dark Tower's Producer Has A Blunt Message For Those Who Don't Like Idris Elba - CINEMABLEND), for what it's worth, which suggests that Stephen King has no problem with Idris Elba as Roland. I personally feel that the essential Dark Tower story doesn't depend on a "white" Roland, and that any technical and/or historical discrepancies will be overlooked by most moviegoers. I feel that a successful movie requires among other things good acting, and
apparently Elba meets that primary need. Meanwhile, I actually cannot think of a better choice for Roland.
I think that article shows the utter contempt that the director has for the constant readers, we are not racist we are expressing a concern over a choice of actor that does not resemble in any way our vision of Roland. If you were to ask the CRs what their vision of Roland would be I think 99.9% of them would say a white man with rugged features. He could have won people over by acknowledging the controversial choice but asking us to bear with him and see where he was going with it.
I feel disappointed with Mr King as well by just going along with this choice, people have taken this character to heart and journeyed with him, we have laughed and cried and felt his loneliness we have been a constant shadow over his journey. Mr King are we not Ka-Tet are we not one, I feel that the Ka-Tet has become damaged by this, I just hope it is not irreconcilable.
I feel disappointed with Mr King as well by just going along with this choice, people have taken this character to heart and journeyed with him, we have laughed and cried and felt his loneliness we have been a constant shadow over his journey. Mr King are we not Ka-Tet are we not one, I feel that the Ka-Tet has become damaged by this, I just hope it is not irreconcilable.
Stephen King is an author. He wrote the book. He isn't, aside from the occasional dabble, a filmmaker. He doesn't really "go along" with anything. He sold the rights and hopes for the best. Like us, he just wants to see the world he created on the big screen. Can you blame him? Unfortunately, to try and get there he has to make compromises. Holding him accountable for this isn't fair. He already gave us the books. He has given us a unique window into many times, places, and people. We have near unfettered access to the color of his thoughts. It is ungrateful to expect more. My thoughts on the casting choice, and the upcoming film are well known. I don't, however, hold Sai King responsible for what is to come.
Yes he sold the rights, but this is more than just a short story or a one of novel it is a huge part of his and our lives. It should be given the respect it deserves and so should we. I agree compromises have to be made but some things should not be compromised on and the lead role should have been one of them.