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A Fan’s Take on the Upcoming Dark Tower Series

by Matt Weese
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Dark-Tower-HBO-Series-Air-217x300Let me start by saying that I love the Dark Tower book series. When I started reading the series years ago, I was instantly pulled into this world created by Stephen King. The setting of this tale was so vivid, and as I read, I felt as if I was an extra member of the ka-tet (sorry, I needed one nerdy reference to kick things off).

To be honest, my initial feeling after finishing the series was “I really hope no one tries to ruin this by making it into a movie.” I knew that there has been uninspired adaptations of King’s work in the past, along with triumphs, but I was really hoping that this series wouldn’t show up on the list of the prior. The books were so imaginative, and most people I knew that read it had personal connections to the series. So I thought, how can you try to make a visual manifestation of a series that resonates with people so differently?

I figured that there was no way possible to show Roland Deschain’s quest to find the Man in Black, alongside Susanna, Eddie, Jake, and Oy, in a way that would be pleasing to all fans. Again, with so many fans of the book, all liking it for their own personal reasons, I figured that it would be difficult to please all fans, though I guess some fans are always angered by adaptations.

javier-bardem-HBO-New-215x300The thing that my inner circle and I always talked about was the one thing that I thought would always keep an adaptation from being a good movie or series; who would play Roland? For anyone that has read the books, and has really become immersed in the story, I think it’s hard to think of anyone depicting Roland. He is a mysterious and quiet gunslinger with a dark past. For me Roland was very much a real person, and someone that couldn’t be represented by an actor.

This feeling eventually faded as I had time to process my feelings on the book. By the time the first rumors of a Dark Towers movie came out I was a few years removed from reading the series, and having some new way in which to enjoy the Dark Tower over again was really exciting. I had enough time to distance myself from my emotional connection to finishing the series, and my inner geek was thrilled. However, as some may know, the series has had some trouble getting off the ground, and this was pretty disappointing.

But here we are now, with HBO getting ready to start on this project to add to their fantasy line-up. Noting the hang-ups I mentioned, I feel I can express why I am excited about the upcoming series. All of this will start with what I felt was the biggest thing that would hold an film and television version of the series back; casting.

With Javier Bardem likely to play Roland Deschain, I feel the producers have started this off on the right foot. When I first started to play in my mind who I felt would play Roland if a movie ever to be produced while as I reading the series, I hadn’t been very familiar with Bardem and his work. Now I must admit I am quite taken with him (I am not afraid of my man crush). But I think about Bardem, and I think of how his intensity terrified me in No Country for Old Men (talk about a character with a dark past), and I know that this is a great call. I believe that Bardem’s look, and how he has proven himself to be an intense and direct actor, makes him a great pick, and at least one thing I will pleased about with the series. In fact, I am truly excited to see not just Bardem’s, but also director Ron Howard’s interpretation of the lonely gunslinger.

The-Gunslinger-HBO-Series-201x300This brings me to my next point. Choosing Ron Howard to come on to direct is something that I can stand behind. He has proven himself as a director that knows how to create suspense and build tension. I think the worst thing that could have happened to this series would be to get a director that will completely gloss over good performances in favor or a large special effects budget.

So I think it’s easy to say that I am very excited about the upcoming series, but as a true fan of the books, I still reserve the right to hold on to my trepidation. As for programming, I think HBO’s existing fantasy fanbase is going to be pleased with having this added to the line up, and I think that all true fans of the series should hold back our critiques for the time being, and let the series speak for itself.

But for now, I am happy with HBO’s decision to have gone ahead with this series, and I say thankee sai. (Mind as well end on a nerdy reference as well)

Jordan Mendys is an independent filmmaker and photographer, and also spends time blogging around the web.

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9 comments

ci starr January 16, 2015 - 2:21 pm

javier should play the man in black.. like his seminal role in no country for old men.. since it’s not in production, i’m picking actors that have a few years to ripen into the ages of the book characters, but also capable of showing the layers for each respective personality, the essence, coupled with ruthless intelligence, charisma, and heart

michael fassbender – roland
ezra miller – eddie
yaya dacosta – susannah
javier – man in black.

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Alisha November 9, 2013 - 3:17 am

No Javier!! If they use him I will be horrified. These books are so important to me and I can not have Roland played by him. I’ve never been able to see him the same after his raping-Hilary-swank role. I have felt this way for years. Please pick an actor we don’t know. Someone who can get into Roland without the distraction of past roles. Roland deserves a fresh face. Plus Javier cannot pull off those piercing blue eyes

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Jacob Klein November 11, 2013 - 12:10 pm

It’s so early that I think these were just rumors.
Who knows though.

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Bill March 9, 2013 - 10:08 am

Has anyone seen Justified? Timothy Olyphant is the perfect Roland Deschain.

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Jimmy Alderson February 28, 2013 - 5:49 pm

Never read the books but with HBO they are in great hands. HBO brings all of the edginess of the big screen with a lot more time to develop characters and hit all the details of the books. Hopefully they can get the budget for Bardem.

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Mike June 17, 2012 - 5:51 am

This is awesome. I read this series back in high school and I couldn’t get enough of it. I love the fantasy world that it takes place in. I can’t wait to see what HBO does with it! They’ve done a good job so far with Game of Thrones. Long live HBO!

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Mike June 15, 2012 - 11:14 am

I’m excitied abou tthis project. I love Javier but I thought King was pretty adamant that Roland was based on Clint Eastwood. The closest approximation for this character should be Vigo Mortgenson. A stellar actor with serious fantasy chops and experience. Why not him?

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Jordan June 15, 2012 - 12:33 pm

I remember King saying that he had Eastwood in his mind when he imagined Roland, but I don’t ever remember him being absolute about it being an Eastwood incarnate.

I think Viggo has a good look, but Roland has a balance of being a relentless gunslinger interspersed with a softer, caring side. With Bardem, you get someone who can be ruthless like in No Country, but balanced with an empathy as seen in Biutiful. I think having someone embody the character mood and emotion should be as weighted as much as who has a good look.

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someone March 10, 2014 - 5:34 pm

Eastwood would be perfect. Too bad he’s a little too old. Still love you Eastwood!

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