THE DARK TOWER: WHAT STARS SHOULD PLAY WHICH ROLES

Roland Deschain

Roland is the last Gunslinger in a world which has "moved on." It looks almost like a post-apocalyptic version of our own world, but it’s not. Roland is equal parts old west cowboy and Knight of the Round Table. The actor who plays this role needs to look like he’s been walking for the last 1,000 miles, while still having eyes that see everything around him

Who We’d Cast: Idris Elba
He’s the apparent front-runner for the role, and we have to agree Idris Elba would be perfect. He can play tough, noble and damaged in equal measure. All necessary to play The Gunslinger.

Other Options:
Viggo Mortensen
Tom Hardy
Daniel Craig
Christian Bale
Javier Bardem

The Man in Black

He’s not Johnny Cash. That’s about all we know at the beginning of Stephen King’sfirst book. He’s on the run, and Roland is chasing him. We don’t know why, or for how long. Eventually, we will meet him, however, and when we do, we need an actor who can portray the gravity of a malevolent force of nature, while keeping a smile on his face.

Who We’d Cast: Jared Leto
Leto is an actor capable of absolutely transforming himself. This is important, as The Man in Black is only one face of a much larger enemy. Leto can not only play the role, but he can evolve the character over time, keeping some aspects the same while changing others to fit the part.

Other Options:
Johnny Depp
Matthew McConaughey
Christian Bale
Benedict Cumberbatch 

Jake Chambers

Along Roland’s path as he follows after The Man in Black, he meets a boy. Jake Chambers is about 12 years old. He remembers a world of skyscrapers and automobiles. Or maybe it was just a dream. Either way, the boy has nowhere else to go, and so he joins Roland on his journey.

Who We’d Cast: David Mazouz
Jake Chambers is a boy, but one who has to grow up fast. Mazouz has proven onGotham that he can play a mature child without losing his overall innocence. He’s a bit old to play the 12-year-old Jake, but there’s nothing wrong with the character being a little older, and we think he can still play it a little younger.

Other Options:
Lincoln Melcher
C.J. Adams
Aramis Knight 

Eddie Dean

Eddie Dean is a young man with a monkey on his back -- and it’s called drug addiction. When we meet him, he’s completely strung out. But as Eddie grows he becomes a strong fighter in his own right.

Who We’d Cast: Joseph Gordon Levitt
Gordon-Levitt Levitt will have to lose even more weight to play the drug-addicted version of Eddie Dean (Eddie's practically skin and bones), but we have little doubt the accomplished actor can pull it off. He’s also capable of playing a confident fighter, and a damaged man.

Other Options:
Aaron Paul
Oscar Isaac
Sam Rockwell