WHO SHOULD PLAY ROLAND IN THE DARK TOWER…?
March 9th, 2008
From left-to-right: Hugh Jackman, Clint Eastwood, Daniel Craig, Gabriel Byrne, Hugh Laurie, Daniel Day Lewis, Tommy Lee Jones and Ray Liotta.
In the longest running comment thread on Have Coffee Will Write, the discussion of Dark Tower: The Movie has now gone on for 13 months (14.2.7 to 6.3.8). In contemplating who should get the lead role of Roland Deschain I’ve assembled the eight suggestions so far. I agree with Pier-Luc and eight8inate, the character is all in the eyes.
Who do you think should get the part?
[Update 5 March 2009 -- The decision has been made. According to reader Sandy Corkins, David Simmons has won the role.]
[Update 9 March 2009 -- This thread is now one-year-old and still the conversation continues.]
The only three that could pass for roland im my opinion would be Byrne, Lewis, and jackman.
Having said that. I vote for jackman. You can always make an actor look older… It is tough to make an older actor look younger. Plus he is the closest thing to clint eastwood we can get. He just need to be a bit more steely and gritty for the part. I think he could do it though.
martz
Daniel Craig for sure.
Shalom Shelbie,
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Shalom Marta,
First, thank you for stopping in, for reading and, most importantly, for taking the time to join our dialogue. We building our communities with our conversations.
I wonder how Jackman would have faired as the No-Name Cowboy?
B’shalom,
Jeff
[...] 5 March 2009 — The decision has been made. According to reader Sandy Corkins, David Simmons has won the role.] Posted in Culture, [...]
Viggo Mortensen.
Shalom Chris,
First, thank you for stopping in, for reading and, most importantly, taking the time to share your view. Building community is all about our conversations.
Yes, Viggo certainly looks the part, although the more I look at him, the less I see the world-weariness, going-around-the-circle-again-ness I think the Roland character demands.
B’shalom,
Jeff
I think it should obviously by Clint Eastwood. In the book they even have Eddie state the resemblance of the blue bombarder eyes and how he reminded him of a post of Eastwood.
Shalom Dylan,
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If age were not a factor, I doubt that anyone would disagree with you. You could not convince me that King did not have Eastwood in his head as he wrote the famous words:
B’shalom,
Jeff
Hugh Jackman would also be good. A rugged, leather legged type of fellow. In character, of course.
Just found and really like your blog!!
Shalom Kate,
First, thank you for stopping in, for reading and, most importantly, for taking the time to join the dialogue. We build our communities with our conversations.
Jackman has won quite a few hearts.
And thank you for the complement. I hope you continue to find worthwhile reading here.
B’shalom,
Jeff
[...] actores que ya han sido colocados en el papel por parte de los fans, y que son repasados en el blog Have coffe will write. Clint [...]
Daniel Day Lewis, Hands Down. An amazing method actor that has the look and voice.
Shalom Dain,
First, thank you for stopping in, for reading and, most importantly, for taking the time to cast your vote. We build our community with our conversations.
I agree, voice is a critical factor in any selection. I think we all have heard Roland in our heads for years.
B’shalom,
Jeff
jackman: havent seen him before in a role suited for roland, he would have to dig some new dimensions from himself
clint: too old
craig: basically ok but no
byrne: not physical or violent enough
laurie: not physical or violent enough
daniel day lewis: YES MAYBE
tommy lee jones: too old
liotta: NO :)
my personal favourite: Kiefer sutherland
Shalom Fdsij,
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I’m afraid that I couldn’t watch Sutherland as Roland without that infernal digital clock pounding in my ears.
B’shalom,
Jeff
Other than Eastwood, none of the actors pictured above would be appropriate for Roland. Who’s idea was it to put Gabriel Byrne and Ray Liotta up there? Maybe they were being sarcastic.
Stephen Moyer is a good actor and apart from his height (he’s shorter than average), looks eerily like the illustrations of Roland from the books. But apart from HBO’s True Blood, he’s not well known. The only actor I can think of that would fit the character and have enough name recognition to make his casting likely is Viggo Mortensen. Watch the trailer for The Road (or just watch aany of his performances) and you’ll see what I mean.
Shalom Mojo,
First, thank you for stopping in, for reading and, most importantly, for taking the time to share your views.
By any measure, the two posts on potential actors to play Roland are my most popular. Over the years, I’ve grown to think that making any movie from King’s Dark Tower books would be a mistake. Too may people will be disappointed because they feel passionately about the characters. The big (or little) screen is just not capable of doing justice to King’s vision.
B’shalom,
Jeff
OK, I just have one thing to say to anyone thinking that Hugh Jackman can’t pull this off.
Eastwood
Jackman
Jackman is as close to a modern Clint Eastwood as you’re going to get.
Shalom Straker,
First, thank you for stopping in, for reading and, most importantly, for taking the time to add to our discussion. We build our community through our conversations.
Great examples. Thank you.
B’shalom,
Jeff
I don’t agree with any of the 8 original choices. However, I do have a suggestion for the role of Roland: Josh Brolin (No Country for Old Men).
Check out some of his pics.
Shalom Hobbes,
First, thank you for stopping in, for reading and, most importantly, for taking the time to share your view. We build our community with our conversations.
While Brolin did an excellent job in NCFOM, he doesn’t resonate with me as Roland, but hey, that’s just me.
B’shalom,
Jeff