# What current actor could best play: Roland Deschain? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 25, 2007, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actor-could-best-play-roland-deschain/409400 "2007-06-25T22:43:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2007, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actor-could-best-play-roland-deschain/409400/1 "2007-06-25T22:43:50Z")
The famous Gunslinger, who would play him the best in your view? With the current crop of actors, or current actors younger years. My nominees are - in order of who I’d like to see most first, and least following. A younger Kris Kristofferson - he’s quite rugged and haggared A younger Clint Eastwood - Josey Wales time period. Sam Neil Viggo Mortessen ---
**Author:** ![TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/51bf81/32.png) [@TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2007, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actor-could-best-play-roland-deschain/409400/2 "2007-06-25T22:59:10Z")
I think that young Bruce Campbell would have been perfect, if he could refrain from mugging and play it straight. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Hildo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbce88/32.png) [@Johnny\_Hildo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Hildo)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2007, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actor-could-best-play-roland-deschain/409400/3 "2007-06-25T23:38:45Z")
My only choice would be a young James Remar. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2007, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actor-could-best-play-roland-deschain/409400/4 "2007-06-25T23:49:32Z")
One-time Bruce Campbell colleague [Billy Drago](http://www52.tok2.com/home/spaceman/actor/B/billy_drago/brisco_county_jr_ep2/index.htm) would be [about perfect](http://www.filmfashion.nl/stills/tremors4thelegendbegins8.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2007, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actor-could-best-play-roland-deschain/409400/5 "2007-06-25T23:59:54Z")
Is Sam Elliott too old? Probably. There aren’t that many younger actors with the craggy face that I picture when I think of Roland. Billy Drago looks good though. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2007, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actor-could-best-play-roland-deschain/409400/6 "2007-06-26T00:00:58Z")
I kinda think Hugh Laurie could do it. He’s certainly got the look. ---
**Author:** ![Smitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Smitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smitty)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2007, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actor-could-best-play-roland-deschain/409400/7 "2007-06-26T00:59:16Z")
Maybe I’m nuts, but I could see Alan Rickman in this. ---
**Author:** ![Baffle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dec6dc/32.png) [@Baffle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baffle)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2007, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actor-could-best-play-roland-deschain/409400/8 "2007-06-26T01:31:10Z")
[QUOTE=Smitty] Maybe I’m nuts, but I could see Alan Rickman in this. [/QUOTE] I think you’re still thinking of the other recent casting thread. I don’t know who’d play Roland, but I’d put Morgan Freeman in as the man in black. ---
**Author:** ![Smitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Smitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smitty)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2007, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actor-could-best-play-roland-deschain/409400/9 "2007-06-26T01:56:24Z")
[QUOTE=Baffle] I think you’re still thinking of the other recent casting thread. I don’t know who’d play Roland, but I’d put Morgan Freeman in as the man in black. [/QUOTE] Picture Alan Rickman from **Die Hard**. Tell me he doesn’t have that lean, mean, fuck with me at your peril look about him that Roland has. ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2007, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actor-could-best-play-roland-deschain/409400/10 "2007-06-26T02:01:26Z")
A younger Harrison Ford or a younger (ETA: living) Jack Palance would do quite well in the role, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2007, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actor-could-best-play-roland-deschain/409400/11 "2007-06-26T02:08:59Z")
I think he would look older than the actors (and the ages stated above) would be, a really craggy face. Keep in mind that underneath his gruff exterior that Roland is quite the romantic softie, and whoever plays him would have to be capable of showing that side, peeking out from time to time. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2007, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actor-could-best-play-roland-deschain/409400/12 "2007-06-26T02:27:49Z")
I bet [Lance Henriksen](http://www.imdb.com/gallery/hh/0000448/iid_902523.jpg.html?path=pgallery&path_key=Henriksen%2C%20Lance&seq=6) would do a great job…he’d have to be much taller though. He’s definitely go the look. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2007, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actor-could-best-play-roland-deschain/409400/13 "2007-06-26T14:32:50Z")
I wonder if a slimed down Micky Rourke could pull it off. He’s got the ruffed up look too. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_chao_goes_mu/32/3191_2.png) [@The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Chao_Goes_Mu)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2007, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actor-could-best-play-roland-deschain/409400/14 "2007-06-26T14:33:37Z")
Vincent Gallo ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2007, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actor-could-best-play-roland-deschain/409400/15 "2007-06-26T14:35:34Z")
[Earlier thread, same question.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=399904) ---
**Author:** ![Baffle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dec6dc/32.png) [@Baffle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baffle)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2007, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actor-could-best-play-roland-deschain/409400/16 "2007-06-27T12:09:38Z")
I’ve put some thought into it, and decided that Hugh Jackman could do it quite well. He came quite close to playing the character in X-Men after all. ---
**Author:** ![THespos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@THespos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/THespos)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2007, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actor-could-best-play-roland-deschain/409400/17 "2007-06-27T13:22:09Z")
Ack, Baffle! I got all the way to the end of the thread and said to myself, “Hey, no one’s suggested Hugh Jackman yet! I’ll just…aw, f\*\*k…” \ ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2007, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actor-could-best-play-roland-deschain/409400/18 "2007-06-27T16:12:49Z")
Liam Neeson, or is he too old? The OP may have it right: Viggo M. ---
**Author:** ![Selkie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbce88/32.png) [@Selkie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Selkie)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2007, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actor-could-best-play-roland-deschain/409400/19 "2007-06-28T00:36:10Z")
[QUOTE=John DiFool] Keep in mind that underneath his gruff exterior that Roland is quite the romantic softie, and whoever plays him would have to be capable of showing that side, peeking out from time to time. [/QUOTE] … which is why I nominate [Eamonn Walker](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0907708/). Just dehydrate him a little for the craggy exterior, and you’d be set! ---
**Author:** ![MizTina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MizTina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MizTina)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2007, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actor-could-best-play-roland-deschain/409400/20 "2007-06-28T01:35:47Z")
I saw the title of the thread and instantly thought of Michael Wincott [Michael Wincott - IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000699/) A highly underated actor. Viggo with Sam Elliott’s voice dubbed in could possibly work. 🙂 T