Stephen King Confirms Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey Will Star in 'The Dark Tower'

After nearly half a decade in the works, the film finds its stars.

March 1, 2016

Not Available Lead — Image via Complex Original
Complex Original

A film adaptation of Stephen King's The Dark Towerhas been in development for about five years, jumping directors and even studios due to budget issues, but it's actually finally happening over at Sony/MRC with Nikolaj Arcel (A Royal Affair) directing and co-writing. There's been further development this project this morning, as King himself confirmed some exciting news via Twitter:

Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey have been in talks to star since late last year. Elba may not be the new James Bond, but he will step into the role of the cool gunslinger Roland Deschain of King's popular series. McConaughey is playing the mysterious man in black (a.k.a. Walter Padick or Walter O'Dim). After King's confirmation, Elba and McConaughey tweeted some bromantic frenemy tweets at each other:

The books follow the gun-slinging Roland, whose mission is to reach the titular dark tower to save the world. Standing in his way is his foe, the man in black, which prompts Roland to summon a team of allies. No word yet on who else will star in the film.

Many predicted the film would be an adaptation of the first book, The Gunslinger (1982), but King told EW that, aside from starting with the first line in the first book, the film will actually start in the middle of the story. "[That] may upset some of the fans a little bit, but they'll get behind it, because it is the story," he added. The director won't yet reveal which book in the series the movie will adapt, but he said it "takes place in our day, in the modern world."

The Dark Tower is set for a Jan. 13, 2017 release.