It looks like the long-awaited adaptation of The Dark Tower has finally found its lead. Idris Elba (Beasts of No Nation) is reportedly in talks to play gunslinger Roland Deschain who travels the old west in search of a dark tower that could save the world, according to Deadline.
Nikolaj Aracel (A Royal Affair) is set to direct the film based on a novel by Stephen King, which became a hit seven-part book series that began in 1982. Throughout the series, Deschain meets a number of allies and enemies who help or interfere with his quest. Matthew McConaughey (The Sea of Trees) is set to play the evil Man in Black.
The Elba deal hasn’t been finalized but if it goes through, it would likely put to bed the rumors that the actor will become the next James Bond. Elba recently got two Golden Globe nominations, one for his role in Beasts of No Nation and another for his role on the TV show Luther as well as two Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for Beasts (one for supporting and one for being a part of the films’ nominated ensemble cast.
McConaughey joined the project recently which gave it boost after long being in development. Sony will distribute the project which will closely follow the first novel in the series. They will soon have to cast Deschain’s young protege who joins him on the journey.
We’ll have more on the project as it releases. The Dark Tower is currently set to release January 13, 2017.