[The Dark Tower] Well its official, Idris Elba as Roland Deschain.

[Kalcheus]

DT is Kings magnum opus. It's a huge story and the core universe of almost all of Kings books. Definitely worth the read.

Eh, I'm not so sure about that. I mean, DT is long, sure, but it's pretty mediocre compared to his other books. Frankly, I blame the van accident for him rushing the final three books.

Best King Books (note: I haven't read everything he's written in the last few years)
------------------
Needful Things
Shining
The Stand
Desperation
Stationary Bike (novella)
Misery
Green Mile

[Lightwysh]

Eh, I'm not so sure about that. I mean, DT is long, sure, but it's pretty mediocre compared to his other books. Frankly, I blame the van accident for him rushing the final three books.

Best King Books (note: I haven't read everything he's written in the last few years)
------------------
Needful Things
Shining
The Stand
Desperation
Stationary Bike (novella)
Misery
Green Mile

I thought DT had great pacing. I agree that the accident did change his style.

About the only story I didn't like of his was 11-22-63. Holy crap that was wordy and drawn out.

[Gallahadd]

Well. There goes my hype.

DT is one of my favourite book series of all time, but when I disagree with the casting of two of the main characters, I start to worry.

I'm sure Idris will be fantastic, based on everything I've seen him in, but he'll never be my Roland.

And Matty boy as Flagg? Urg, no.

[Raptor With a Saber]

Idris Elba is a good choice im never one for race changing like Will smith being in Suicide Squad 'movies going to bomb for other reasons but including him'. But this guy is actually a good actor who should do fine.

[TITAN308]

Calling it right now: Susanna Dean will be an amputee, but she will be getting prosthetic legs for the movie. I just don't see Hollywood having the balls to actually have a main character stuck in a wheelchair in this kind of movie.

Bookmark this thread right here because its going to happen.

[Fabinas]

I do agree that Stephen King has written better stuff than DT. The first books were far better than the later ones (yes , prolly to accident, as everyone else mentioned already). The flashback book (3rd in series? can't remember) and the ones with lore on the DT universe are far better than the ones integrating himself in the story. Ending was also kinda expected....

[TITAN308]

Like most people after one read through, I liked book IV the most. Now having gone through it multiple times (audio books) I can say book I, II, and III are my favorite.

Wind Through the Keyhole (book 4.5) would rank as my least favorite. I wanted a book more about the DK world, not some story within a story bullshit. Having Flagg (the tax collector) as a cameo didn't save it.

Also the fact that SK read the audiobook version himself it was cringe worthy (his voice is flat and monotone).

[bledgor]

As much as I like Idras Elba, this will literally make me not go see the movie. I mean who needs source material if you are just going to ignore it...

[TITAN308]

Lets no forget a big core of Susanna Dean and Roland's interactions are because she is a black woman and he is a white man.

Well bloops, ok then...

I suspect this is why they are "skipping to the middle" - because that would be completely impossible as Book II, the entire book this is a big theme.

[RobertoCarlos]

Are there any key areas to the character or story for him being white? I'm ok with changing race types if its not an important aspect of the character which it can be in some cases. If it doesn't then I just hope it goes to the best actor and I'm sure Idris will do a good job. Hes one of the better working actors atm

[TITAN308]

Are there any key areas to the character or story for him being white? I'm ok with changing race types if its not an important aspect of the character which it can be in some cases. If it doesn't then I just hope it goes to the best actor and I'm sure Idris will do a good job. Hes one of the better working actors atm

Yes, the entire second book and then it is a continued theme through the rest of the series between two main characters.

Not to mention Roland comes from a royal family line from the a place called Gilead. I wonder if they are going to magically make everyone there black all of a sudden in flashbacks.

Edit: Honestly this is as bad as if they cast Harry Potter as a black kid in the movies.

[Deleted]

Honestly this is as bad as if they cast Harry Potter as a black kid in the movies.

How about a LotR remake (I mean come on, it's been a whole 15 years already), with a black Gandalf and an Asian Legolas?

Oh, and Frodo is a girl. And has a romantic relationship with Sam.

[bledgor]

How about a LotR remake (I mean come on, it's been a whole 15 years already), with a black Gandalf and an Asian Legolas?

Oh, and Frodo is a girl. And has a romantic relationship with Sam.

Wait Frodo and Sam didnt have a romantic relationship?

On point they are going to have to change large parts of the intro story, and the whole scene with the Ka tet and King where Eddie and company point out Roland looks like he is related to King.

[TITAN308]

You know who Idris would be a perfect role for?

Speedy Parker of the Territories. For those who have read SK's The Talisman and its sequel Black House you know who.

The character is quite literally a black man who is a gunslinger

[RobertoCarlos]

How about a LotR remake (I mean come on, it's been a whole 15 years already), with a black Gandalf and an Asian Legolas?

Oh, and Frodo is a girl. And has a romantic relationship with Sam.

Well Gandalf is a Wizard, and Legolas is an Elf and frodo is a hobbit. So unless you have some of those laying around....

- - - Updated - - -

Yes, the entire second book and then it is a continued theme through the rest of the series between two main characters.

Not to mention Roland comes from a royal family line from the a place called Gilead. I wonder if they are going to magically make everyone there black all of a sudden in flashbacks.

Edit: Honestly this is as bad as if they cast Harry Potter as a black kid in the movies.

Whats in the 2nd book that he needs to be white? So continued theme between a black woman and a white man? She doesnt trust him because hes white? I'm not trying to argue for argue stake, I'm interested what aspects of the story being white is important.

As for Royal Bloodlines, one person being black doesn't mean the entire royal bloodline needs to be black.

[purebalance]

i can't help but think hollywood is pushing an agenda with these race changes though.

black guy fighting against evil white villains, seems like they're trying to say something.

Careful, Endus might come for you for simply implying that there's something wrong with that.

[Coronius]

We have to be incloosive, guys. It's the current year, guys.

[Jetstream]

http://www.ew.com/article/2016/02/29...ew-mcconaughey

And off we go...

Not sure how I feel about this.

Awesome actor, but casting a black man in what is clearly a white guys role is uh... bizarre.

Edit: Also...



Ugh...

fucking stupid. a fine actor, but not the right actor to play a white guy.

he should look like clint eastwood, or the guy in your avatar even.

I'll take Stephen King's opinion over everyone else's, thanks.

[derpkitteh]

I'll take Stephen King's opinion over everyone else's, thanks.

and if said anything differently, the news headlines would be "author stephen king racist? more likely than you might think...."

[RobertoCarlos]

Personally I find the "outrage" over changing characters race or hair color. Kinda ridiculous. You don't know what type of the film the director is trying to make and who wants a direct remake anyway, You want new ideas and fresh insight. I don't see how hiring a black man to play a white man. Or hiring a blonde instead of a ginger makes a massive difference. Unless as I said there is a direct reason they are a race or hair style or eye whatever.