A live-action adaptation of "The Dark Tower" is finally arriving thanks to a partnership between Ron Howard, Akiva Goldsman, Brian Grazer, Universal Pictures and NBC Universal Television Entertainment. But there's a catch — Stephen King's classic novel series is not only getting the big screen treatment with three film adaptations, but an accompanying television series drawing inspiration from the Marvel Comics prequels as well.
Clearly, whoever signs on for the lead role of Roland Deschain is committing to something huge. With three films and two seasons of television in the works, the would-be gunslinger is going to have a whole lot of "Dark Tower" in his life over the next several years.
That's certainly an important consideration in finding the right Roland, but there are many other factors to pay attention to as well, not the least of which is the fact that Roland is one of the most nuanced and complicated roles in King's library of characters. It requires an actor who can really sink his teeth into someone who isn't always a pleasant guy, to put it mildly, but still possesses some redeeming qualities.
Finding the right man for Roland Deschain is a daunting task, and we here at Splash Page certainly don't envy Universal's casting department right now. That said, we do have a few suggestions of our own!
Daniel Craig
Roland is a hardened man capable of some truly terrible things, complete with an icy gaze that freezes you in your tracks. That pretty adequately summarizes the roles Daniel Craig has played in the past, such as James Bond and his "Road to Perdition" villain. But he's also capable of delivering surprisingly sympathetic performances, something that's crucial for Roland's development throughout the series. But with possible franchises in "Cowboys & Aliens" and "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," not to mention a hopeful third "Bond" movie, Craig might not have room on his plate for "The Dark Tower."
Daniel Day-Lewis
It's a big stretch that Daniel Day-Lewis would attach himself to a project as ambitious as "The Dark Tower," but if he was open to the epic commitment, he would be perfect for Roland. The Oscar-winning actor is meticulous about transforming himself into his characters, a crucial ability for anyone who agrees to play Roland in this massive endeavor. With Day-Lewis as Roland, audiences would get a clear signal that "Dark Tower" isn't any ordinary action or fantasy property — it's something that's important and meaningful enough to attract an actor of DDL's caliber.
Josh Holloway
Although he's a bit fresh-faced and young for the role of the tortured gunslinger, Josh Holloway has already gone through a similar character arc as Roland's thanks to his celebrated work as Sawyer on "Lost." Holloway managed to turn the initially loathsome Sawyer into a compelling hero and one of the show's most likable characters, and there's little doubt that he could do the same with Roland. With "Lost" in the rearview mirror, now would be the perfect time for Holloway to step further into the spotlight with an epic film role like Roland Deschain. It certainly doesn't hurt that he's a familiar face on television and likely has a more affordable price tag than many other power players in Hollywood.
Stephen Moyer
Already part of one of the most talked about television properties of our time in "True Blood," Stephen Moyer certainly has what it takes to participate in a high profile project like "The Dark Tower." As Roland, Moyer would bring much of the same dark, brooding quality currently seen in Bill Compton to the character, though he might need to take that hardened exterior even further should he sink his teeth into the "Dark Tower" series.
Viggo Mortensen
In many ways, it feels like Viggo Mortensen has already played Roland Deschain in the past. The gunslinger is essentially an extreme, unhinged version of Aragorn, Mortensen's "Lord of the Rings" character, and like his role in "Eastern Promises," Roland is willing to make impossible decisions and endure great suffering in order to accomplish his all-important goal. With his piercing stare and impressive emotional range, Mortensen could keep audiences coming back to "The Dark Tower" for many years to come.
Who would you like to see as Roland? Tell us your "Dark Tower" casting hopes in the comments section and on Twitter!