Idris Elba is being lined up to star in ‘The Dark Tower’.
The ‘Mandela’ actor is reportedly being eyed up by Sony Pictures to take on the role of lead gunslinger Roland Deschain in the upcoming film adaptation of Stephen King’s novel series set in a world woven with magic, according to Deadline.
Elba would go up against ‘Dallas Buyers Club’ star Matthew McConaughey, who is in talks to play the villainous Man in Black.
‘Skyfall’ actor Javier Bardem is also said to be on the radar of Sony Pictures – who took the project over following a number of failed attempts to launch the franchise at Universal and Warner Bros.
‘The Dark Tower’ is to be directed by ‘A Royal Affair’ filmmaker Nikolaj Arcel, who also co-wrote the Swedish film version of ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’.
The film is set to be the first in a number of ‘Dark Tower’ movies while a complimentary TV series is also being developed.
The first installment will focus on the first book in the series, ‘The Gunslinger’, which establishes the relationship between Roland and his young protege Jake Chambers.
Meanwhile, Elba is currently said to be in the running for an Academy Award at next year’s Oscars for his lead role in ‘Beasts of No Nation’.
Idris Elba to play gunslinger in The Dark Tower?
