# Dream cast for a Dark Tower movie/movies/miniseries (spoilers probable) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 18, 2003, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-cast-for-a-dark-tower-movie-movies-miniseries-spoilers-probable/195929 "2003-08-18T06:59:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Avalonian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@Avalonian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avalonian)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-cast-for-a-dark-tower-movie-movies-miniseries-spoilers-probable/195929/1 "2003-08-18T06:59:23Z")
Mind you, I think that a film or miniseries version of Stephen King’s Dark Tower series wouldn’t be nearly as good as the books, which are my favorites of King’s work (an author whose work I enjoy, for the most part, and who I deeply respect). However, if some ambitious filmmaker made an effort analogous to Peter Jackson’s on Lord of the Rings, this subject might be worth discussing. I’ve been re-reading the whole series, and I’ve slowly been developing stronger visual pictures of the characters in my mind. While nobody fits those pictures perfectly, here’s the ones I think are closest. **The Gunslinger** (here meaning the older Roland, who we first meet in the Western Desert): This is probably the hardest one for me, as the Gunslinger is, in a way, more of an icon than a real character. This isn’t to say that he lacks depth… far from it. However, he is portrayed as such a monolithic, distant character that it would be almost impossible for any person to make him real and stay faithful to the way the books portray him. However, one actor that keeps surfacing in this way for me is **Michael Madsen**. In every role I’ve seen him in, Madsen has a gruff, distant exterior, but which hints at something more within. He could be the rock which anchors the rest of the cast. **Roland** (here meaning the younger version of Roland, in his trial with Cort, for example, or in the history told in _Wizard and Glass_): This one’s tough, too, but not as bad. I might catch some flack for this, but I think **Hayden Christensen** could pull this off. I pretty much ignore his performance in _Attack of the Clones_, but _Life as a House_ shows he has some acting chops. He’s got the right mix of sensitivity and mystery to play the Roland that develops into the Gunslinger. **Odetta/Detta/Susannah** : This is an easy one for me. Hands-down, **Angela Bassett** should fill this role. She’s beautiful, but has a hard edge to her. She definitely has the talent to play the extremes of Detta and Odetta well, and mix them up in Susannah. **Eddie** : Could be anyone, really, but if I had to pick a name actor I think it should be **Edward Norton**. He’s a talented actor, he has the range and depth for a character like Eddie, and he’d have some fun with it. **Jake** : One is almost tempted to say Jake Lloyd, but that’s too obvious. I’d prefer to see **Haley Joel Osment** in the part, but it would have to be before he got much older. That kid can _act_. As an alternate, **Rory Culkin** (who was the asthmatic boy in _Signs_) could probably do well here also. **Walter/Marten/Man in Black** : Another easy one. I can easily see **Gary Oldman** in this role, with his strength in playing manic psychos. I love Oldman, mind you, and I always like watching him act. However, he does seem to have a certain affinity for strange, at least slightly _off_ characters. **Tick-Tock Man** : My picture of this one isn’t as clear yet, but maybe **William Hurt**. I like the fact that he often plays “nice” guys, but ones who have an undercurrent of darkness to them. This role could flip that on its head. **Cort** : The only one who comes to mind here is **David Bradley** , who plays Mr. Filch in the _Harry Potter_ movies. I can’t think of anyone better, really. **Cuthbert** : Young, confident, and kind of a wise-ass? **Ewan McGregor** leaps right to mind. **Alain** : The more thoughtful of the young Gunslingers, I’m thinking **Ethan Hawke** , mostly as we saw him in _Training Day_. **Susan** : This is mostly personal preference speaking, probably, but **Kate Winslet** comes quickly to mind when I think of Roland’s lost love. Yeah, she makes me drool, and your point is? OK, that’s all I have for now… anyone else want to play? Feel free to amend my selections, or add characters I neglected to mention. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-cast-for-a-dark-tower-movie-movies-miniseries-spoilers-probable/195929/2 "2003-08-18T07:14:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Avalonian \* > I might catch some flack for this, but I think **Hayden Christensen** could pull this off. FLACK:FLACK:FLACK Gods no! Please don’t ruin my love for The Dark Tower with images of Anakin Skywhiner as Roland. And Ethan Hawke, Ewan McGregor, and Kate Winslet all seem too old to me to play those roles. In Wizard and Glass, weren’t they all just teenagers? Do a search and you’ll find at least one (probably a few) previous threads on this same topic. ---
**Author:** ![BraheSilver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@BraheSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BraheSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-cast-for-a-dark-tower-movie-movies-miniseries-spoilers-probable/195929/3 "2003-08-18T07:51:25Z")
Isn’t Roland supposed to be 14 in W&G? Hayden looks a bit old for that part. ---
**Author:** ![Iteki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/eada6e/32.png) [@Iteki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iteki)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-cast-for-a-dark-tower-movie-movies-miniseries-spoilers-probable/195929/4 "2003-08-18T11:14:32Z")
To be honest, I am going to have to disagree with all of your casting choices. The age of the characters is very important, we are supposed to be seeing these things as having a formative effect on the young gunslinger. The tick-tock man has to be huge, this is the main physical description given of him, his size. In [one of the other casting threads](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=160181&highlight=roland) I made these suggestions. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Iteki \* > \*\*Except for the fact that I can’t stand Clint Eastwood, I rekon he could do “the look” for Roland. Just dirty him down a bit and tire him out, he always looks so bloody energised. Donald Sutherland could probably do it too, or else Sam Elliot? > Someone with the cowboy thang going on 😉 > > Angela Basset has totally got the presence to do Susannah, but I always saw her as a bit “rounder” than I have ever seen Basset. I heart Angela Basset 🙂 mmmm… > > There is an actress who has been in a million films, but always in a very far from central role, she looks like Susannan to me. Let me go IMDB her…[Aha, here she is, Kimberly Scott](http://us.imdb.com/Name?Scott,%20Kimberly%20(I)). I think she would be good, I have always liked the couple of lines she has gotten to say 🙂 \*\* For Court, I am probably going to go with Brian Blessed. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-cast-for-a-dark-tower-movie-movies-miniseries-spoilers-probable/195929/5 "2003-08-18T11:25:01Z")
I still think Wilem Dafoe would be a great Roland. At least no one’s mentioned Bruce Campbell as Roland. Apparently there are members of his cult who think he can play ANY role. I like his work, but he ain’t the one for Roland by a long shot. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-cast-for-a-dark-tower-movie-movies-miniseries-spoilers-probable/195929/6 "2003-08-18T11:59:30Z")
Superman, maybe. Roland, nah. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-cast-for-a-dark-tower-movie-movies-miniseries-spoilers-probable/195929/7 "2003-08-18T14:16:04Z")
I don’t think Bradley would be a good Cort. Too tiny. Cort’s a hard ass. Barrel-chested comes to mind. What’shisface from _The Piano_, Harvey Kietel. He’d be good. Osment and Lloyd would make terrible Jake’s. But I think Culken is a great pick. As for the younger set in W&G, I don’t care, as I’d never see it. I hated that book. Take out everything between the scenes on Blaine the Train and the Wizard of Oz-ish ending, and you’ve got something worth watching, even if it’s only 1 hour. ---
**Author:** ![Avalonian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@Avalonian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avalonian)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-cast-for-a-dark-tower-movie-movies-miniseries-spoilers-probable/195929/8 "2003-08-18T15:28:04Z")
Well, you didn’t disagree with _all_ of my casting choices, **Iteki**. I’m glad to see you like Angela Bassett for Susannah, anyway. 😉 We’ll just have to agree to disagree on the “cowboy thing” for Roland I guess. To me, that’s something that should actually be avoided. I don’t see Roland as a cowboy figure at all… more like a knight, but one who uses guns rather than a sword and shield. Eastwood, Sutherland, and especially Sam Elliot (ew) would be about as far from good choices for the older Roland as I could imagine. **Munch** , I like your suggestion of Keitel for Cort… don’t know why I didn’t think of it in the first place. Consider mine replaced. 🙂 The more I think about it, the more I think Rory Culkin is a better Jake, too. Willem Dafoe _could_ be a good Roland, so good call **Mr. Blue Sky**. I’m not sure if that’s better than Madsen or not, but I think Dafoe could do it. As I recall, Roland, Alain, Cuthbert, and Susan are all 18-20 in _Wizard and Glass_ because that takes place a few years after Roland’s test with Cort. So, yeah, some of them are a bit old in real years, but I think it could be pulled off with the people I’ve suggested. Then again, it may be better just to have unknowns in those roles. I’ve yet to re-read W&G, so maybe my impressions will change when I do. And for those who dislike Hayden as a young Roland, I can understand your problem with it. Kinda like seeing Mark Hammill these days, I guess (though he did a great Joker voice). However, I’d be interested to know who you you’d like to see there instead. There may well be a better suggestion… so give with it already! ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-cast-for-a-dark-tower-movie-movies-miniseries-spoilers-probable/195929/9 "2003-08-18T17:14:57Z")
I think Roland would be best portrayed by [Scott Glenn](http://www.imdb.com/Name?Glenn,+Scott), he of _Backdraft_ and various other movies. And how about [Mark Ruffalo]([http://www.imdb.com/Name?ruffalo](http://www.imdb.com/Name?ruffalo), +mark) from _You Can Count On Me_ as Eddie? ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-cast-for-a-dark-tower-movie-movies-miniseries-spoilers-probable/195929/10 "2003-08-18T17:46:17Z")
Crap, hamsters ate my post. Regardless, Roland was no older than 14 when he took his test. I want to say he was 12 or 13. Anyway, Roland et al. were 16 at the most in _Wizard and Glass_. No way Hayden could pull that off. My suggestion would be [Shia LaBeouf](http://us.imdb.com/Name?LaBeouf,%20Shia) from _Holes_. ---
**Author:** ![Avalonian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@Avalonian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avalonian)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-cast-for-a-dark-tower-movie-movies-miniseries-spoilers-probable/195929/11 "2003-08-18T17:54:19Z")
Right you are, **Munch** … I was getting ages confused. Damn, yet another reason I should see _Holes_. Loved the book. **Superdude** , Scott Glenn used to be at the top of my list for Roland, especially after seeing him in _The Keep_ and _THe Right Stuff_. These days he looks almost a little _too_ grizzled, though… a younger Glenn (maybe by ten years or so) would work nicely. ---
**Author:** ![fizzygoodmakefeelnice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8491ac/32.png) [@fizzygoodmakefeelnice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fizzygoodmakefeelnice)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-cast-for-a-dark-tower-movie-movies-miniseries-spoilers-probable/195929/12 "2003-08-18T18:11:37Z")
Can I play Oy? I agree with **Avalonian** about Ed Norton as Eddie. What about Viggo Mortessen as the older version of Roland? ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-cast-for-a-dark-tower-movie-movies-miniseries-spoilers-probable/195929/13 "2003-08-18T18:28:03Z")
I didn’t know who Madsen was until I looked him up at iMDB. He’s too…fleshy. I picture Roland as a massively dehydrated person. Willem Da Foe would be perfect. I don’t see Mortensen in that, either. I think Eastwood would be excellent, as well, but too old now. If Harrison Ford could lose 40 lbs., he could pass. What about [Sam Waterson](http://us.imdb.com/Name?Waterston,%20Sam) from Law & Order? ---
**Author:** ![Iteki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/eada6e/32.png) [@Iteki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iteki)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-cast-for-a-dark-tower-movie-movies-miniseries-spoilers-probable/195929/14 "2003-08-18T22:17:10Z")
Oooh, Keitels good yeah! **Avalonian** , I love that people can have such different visions brought from the same texts, so it’s all good 🙂 I can go with Culkin as Jake! Didn’t the boys leave town _very_ soon after Roland took his test, mainly because as he was now a gunslinger Martin could legitimatly take him out any time he wanted (since it was only by a hairs breath he took his test)? I can go peek at my book. ---
**Author:** ![rolandgunslinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cdc98d/32.png) [@rolandgunslinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rolandgunslinger)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-cast-for-a-dark-tower-movie-movies-miniseries-spoilers-probable/195929/15 "2003-08-18T22:30:08Z")
I always picture Kevin Costner as Roland And Jamie Sheridan played Randall Flagg pretty good in “The Stand” so he’s my choice for that role. ---
**Author:** ![Invisible\_Chimp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f05b48/32.png) [@Invisible\_Chimp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Invisible_Chimp)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-cast-for-a-dark-tower-movie-movies-miniseries-spoilers-probable/195929/16 "2003-08-18T22:34:36Z")
I’ve always pictured Eddie as Christian Slater. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-cast-for-a-dark-tower-movie-movies-miniseries-spoilers-probable/195929/17 "2003-08-18T22:41:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by rolandgunslinger \* > \*\*I always picture Kevin Costner as Roland \*\* Been hittin’ the devil weed again, eh, roland… ---
**Author:** ![Iteki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/eada6e/32.png) [@Iteki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iteki)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-cast-for-a-dark-tower-movie-movies-miniseries-spoilers-probable/195929/18 "2003-08-18T22:41:44Z")
Checked now… > [@](#): > > The gunslinger turned to Jake, who looked back at him seriously. “I went through the trial of manhood at the age of fourteen, the youngest of my ka-tel-of my class, you would say-and perhaps the youngest ever. I told you some of that, Jake. Do you remember?” and when Stephen confronts him at the whorehouse the next morning… > [@](#): > > "He told me I couldn’t go back to the palace. If I did, I’d be dead by nightfall. He said, ‘You have been born to your destiny in spite of all Marten could do; yet he has sworn to kill you before you can grow to be a problem to him. It seems that, winner in the test or no, you must leave Gilead anyway. For only awhile, though, and you’ll go east instead of west. I’d not send you alone, either, or without a purpose.’ Then, almost as an afterthought, he added: 'Or with a pair of sorry ‘prentice revolvers.’ " ---
**Author:** ![Iteki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/eada6e/32.png) [@Iteki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iteki)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-cast-for-a-dark-tower-movie-movies-miniseries-spoilers-probable/195929/19 "2003-08-18T22:50:52Z")
Checked now… > [@](#): > > The gunslinger turned to Jake, who looked back at him seriously. “I went through the trial of manhood at the age of fourteen, the youngest of my ka-tel-of my class, you would say-and perhaps the youngest ever. I told you some of that, Jake. Do you remember?” and when Stephen confronts him at the whorehouse the next morning… > [@](#): > > "He told me I couldn’t go back to the palace. If I did, I’d be dead by nightfall. He said, ‘You have been born to your destiny in spite of all Marten could do; yet he has sworn to kill you before you can grow to be a problem to him. It seems that, winner in the test or no, you must leave Gilead anyway. For only awhile, though, and you’ll go east instead of west. I’d not send you alone, either, or without a purpose.’ Then, almost as an afterthought, he added: 'Or with a pair of sorry ‘prentice revolvers.’ " ---
**Author:** ![Iteki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/eada6e/32.png) [@Iteki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iteki)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-cast-for-a-dark-tower-movie-movies-miniseries-spoilers-probable/195929/20 "2003-08-18T22:59:39Z")
Checked now… > [@](#): > > The gunslinger turned to Jake, who looked back at him seriously. “I went through the trial of manhood at the age of fourteen, the youngest of my ka-tel-of my class, you would say-and perhaps the youngest ever. I told you some of that, Jake. Do you remember?” and when Stephen confronts him at the whorehouse the next morning… > [@](#): > > "He told me I couldn’t go back to the palace. If I did, I’d be dead by nightfall. He said, ‘You have been born to your destiny in spite of all Marten could do; yet he has sworn to kill you before you can grow to be a problem to him. It seems that, winner in the test or no, you must leave Gilead anyway. For only awhile, though, and you’ll go east instead of west. I’d not send you alone, either, or without a purpose.’ Then, almost as an afterthought, he added: 'Or with a pair of sorry ‘prentice revolvers.’ " [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-cast-for-a-dark-tower-movie-movies-miniseries-spoilers-probable/195929.md?page=2)