Picturing Characters vs. Movies

A. Lynn

A. Lynn

Was: "Virangelus"
Joined
Dec 8, 2005
Messages
794
Well, it's apparently in the works (again). King's "Dark Tower" epic as a movie, and they've tapped Matthew McConaughey as both Roland and the Man in Black http://www.slashfilm.com/matthew-mcconaughey-dark-tower/

I have nothing against McConaughey, but I certainly didn't picture him as the Man in Black. Honestly, in my head, this curious villain always shows up as Kevin Spacey, who I think could really nail such a part. As for the Gunslinger, I of course picture Clint Eastwood, thanks to King's confession of "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" being inspiration for the series. But barring Eastwood's participation (for whatever reason), my father says he fancies Russell Crowe as the lead instead.

What about you all out there? How often does Hollywood land on the mark when converting your favorite books to film/tv? How often have they really goofed, in your opinion? What would you think of their cast selection for the Dark Tower as of now?
 
If you had seen Matthew McConaughey in "Killer Joe" then you would see he can be a convincing bad guy, I think his tall thin frame may suit the man in black or Roland? I would rather see him as Roland though. Kevin Spacey always makes an excellent villain, he would be great. As for Clint Eastwood, he is too old to play Roland, mores the pity. Russel Crowe would add some gravitas to the cast. It seems they are going all out for big names. Who would play the young Roland in the many flashbacks?
 
I can see McConaughey as The Man In Black easier than I could accept Sheridan as Randy Flagg in the Stand. Crowe would be a good Roland, he's a decent actor. Spacey would match the descriptions and some of the illustrations better. I am encouraged by the fact that they are still actually working on this since it's been in development hell for so long. Now they just have to assemble the talent required to carve out a good screenplay, no easy feat in this case. So much could go wrong, we've all seen the results of sub-par King adaptations before, I would hate to see Dark Tower go that way.
 
Ochos said:
If you had seen Matthew McConaughey in "Killer Joe" then you would see he can be a convincing bad guy, I think his tall thin frame may suit the man in black or Roland?
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I don't doubt his acting ability. I just do not see his physical appearance as being quite right for the Man in Black. Maybe for Roland, though maybe not my first choice.
 
I'm not all that particular about how characters look (obviously to a reasonable degree—if a character is Japanese and that's central to his/her identity, casting a caucasian actor to play the role would be ludicrous). High quality acting works wonders in making readers forget about how they'd wished the actor'd looked different.
 
Mikael Shamsie said:
I'm not all that particular about how characters look (obviously to a reasonable degree—if a character is Japanese and that's central to his/her identity, casting a caucasian actor to play the role would be ludicrous). High quality acting works wonders in making readers forget about how they'd wished the actor'd looked different.
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This point is also incredibly true. With some actors, it's hard to even recognize them one they step into a role (I'm looking at Meryl Streep as Julia Child, and more! Or times I didn't realize it was Tom Cruise in the role).
 
i grew up at a time when johnny depp was on 21 jump street and his pictures were taped to every girl's school file and "i heart johnny depp" was on their schoolbags (and tattooed with ballpoint pen on their hands). my first favourite movie of his was 'nightmare on elm street'. because he got torn apart by freddy. watched that a few times.

every time he got cast in something, you'd roll your eyes because pretty boy got himself a movie and it was obviously going to be unwatchable. felt the same with brad pitt.

but you have to admit, they're pretty good at playing character roles.

then the english. just finished watching tennant as the purple man, and i grew up watching him in an old english sitcom and then seeing him as doctor who. all-round nice guy. playing a manipulative rapist? man, he was so creepy. actors can be underestimated, sometimes. sometimes all they need is a real role and they're good. downey jr as iron man, anyone?

i genuinely try not to think of who's been cast as what. that way going into the movie, you're not so predisposed to hating it. i mean, ryan reynolds as deadpool? i'm unconvinced, but look at the guy's passion for the role. i reckon he'll do okay.

of course, i break this rule with tom hanks.

tom hanks is awful.
 
Matthew Hughes said:
Try watching the opening moments of Breakfast at Tiffany's, with Mickey Rooney playing a hideous caricature of a Japanese.
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That sounds laugh out loud funny. First time, I've ever been tempted to watch "Breakfast at Tiffany's"...the sort of film I used to dread being dragged to by dear old mum or one of my sisters.

In general I follow the simple rule of either reading the book or watching the film...I shall dredge my memory banks tomorrow for any cases where I've actually seen the film of a favourite book, but right now can't recall any.
 
jackdaw said:
That sounds laugh out loud funny.
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In a painful, want-to-look-away mode.

jackdaw said:
In general I follow the simple rule of either reading the book or watching the film.
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The story -- it's a novella -- is much different from the film (I'm relying on decades-only memories here); for one thing, the straight character played by George Peppard in the movie is gay in the book.
 
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Lucas Thorn said:
i grew up at a time when johnny depp was on 21 jump street...

every time he got cast in something, you'd roll your eyes because pretty boy got himself a movie and it was obviously going to be unwatchable. felt the same with brad pitt.

but you have to admit, they're pretty good at playing character roles.
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Note: Again I do not dislike McConnaughey. I also do not think he registers in the same talent pool as Depp or Tennant either. I think he's be bad for the Man in Black, personally. He is gaunt enough to pull of Roland perhaps. Just one of those things where I pictured different faces.

But I'll still go to the theatres should they pull this off. Shut up and take my gold, thank ya' - I won't even ask for change.
 
A. Lynn said:
Note: Again I do not dislike McConnaughey. I also do not think he registers in the same talent pool as Depp or Tennant either.
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I'm a huge fan of Depp's acting chops. But you should watch "Frailty" before you dismiss Matthew McConnaughey's acting ability. Very creepy!
 
No mention of Reign of Fire? ;) Yes, yes, but it's a guilty pleasure of mine.

Years ago Eastwood would have been the obvious choice, I think, but now I just don't know who would do the character justice. I do think McConnaughey could pull it off, and I could easily see someone like Bale given the nod based on star-power alone. I wouldn't mind Crowe, either, but I wonder if someone a little less obvious might work. Say, a Ben Foster, or maybe a Taylor Kitsch.

As long as it's not Tatum. I love the books, but I'll never go see a movie where he's the star. The man can't act.
 
Just heard Idris Elba could be cast as Roland. Not bad in my humble opinion
 
Really now? He's not what I pictured. But I haven't seen him in anything yet. I don't have an opinion in this case... But I'm still adamant about Kevin Spacey maybe being the man in black lol. Though I doubt he'll step away from "House of Cards" to do this, so Matthew McConaughey it will be.
 
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