It is time to get excited for our journey to Stephen King‘s ‘The Dark Tower‘ to officially begin as the first official shot of Idris Elba as The Gunslinger has been released! Yes, there have been some leaked set photos from the film but this is the first that was truly meant to be released and oh what a stunning look.
Before I go any further in some new comments by Idris, let’s take a look at the first shot!
What an amazing look for Roland. Now, before someone pulls out the race card (as it will surely come up time and time again), Elba does specifically address that:
“It’s better just to treat it like no big deal. There should be no difference. The character that was written in Stephen’s imagination, it could be any color. It just happens to be me and, you know? In the artwork, it just so happens to be a white guy, but I don’t think that makes any difference. … I think what’s great about it, if I want to say anything about it, is that it is a sign of the times in terms of a colorless society. People go, ‘A good actor is a good actor,’ you know?
I know that someone is about to argue that statement as Roland was clearly white in the novels which were a key point when he had Odetta around. One can only assume that after living so many lifetimes that when the Tower resets his life that he may inhabit a different body? It could be something that is explained or that they just ignore. Honestly, if they can pull off a quality movie this is a minor point in my eyes.
Speaking of his age and having lived lifetimes, though:
“There’s a mystical element to him. He’s about 200 years old. He’s been around for a long time, and has a deep-rooted connection with the [supernatural] nature of the film. Roland’s completely tuned into that. When you meet him, he’s very much a stoic man, doesn’t want to talk. But when you get to know him, he really knows quite a bit about the world and his world’s history.”
I really do think that he mostly has a handle on the character and from his past work, it is obvious that he has the acting chops to pull it off. I can’t wait to see a trailer when it finally drops.
Are you looking forward to Stephen King’s ‘The Dark Tower’? What are your thoughts on the first image that has been released? Share your thoughts below!
‘The Dark Tower’ is set to open its doors in theaters everywhere on February 17th, 2017.
Source: Collider
Stuart Conover is an author, blogger, and all around geek. When not busy being a father and husband he tries to spend as much time as possible immersed in comic books, science fiction, and horror! Would you like to know more? Follow him on Twitter!
