JAVIER BARDEM OFFERED THE KA-TET OF THE DARK TOWER

Penelope Cruz for Susannah!!

I like Bardem better than Bale.  I think he'd be better at the rare tender moments with Roland. 

Perfect. He possesses an idyllic balance of tenderness, heroism, and malice that is perfectly suited for Roland. I am now officially excited for this project.

The reason I like Bardem or Viggo more than Bale for this part is that while yes, Roland is dark and sullen and grim, three things Bale exceeds at playing, he's also got something Bale doesn't have the years to pull off convincingly--he's haunted. The trail of bodies, friend and foe, that litters the path behind him to get to where we first meet him in The Gunslinger stays with him every step of the journey. That, to me, is the very essence of getting a part like Roland right, and it's something I can see with Javier, or Viggo, but not so much with Bale.

Of the three guys being talked about, he's the one I wanted the least. Ah, well. Better off this way. Now I don't have to get excited all over again, only to watch this story run off the rails all over again.

I agree with Greg's point.  But Viggo embodies that weathered vibe the best.  He's got to be the oldest.  I like Javier, although I only know him from No Country.  But I like the choice a lot. 

I just wonder if this can be good with Ron Howard at the helm.  He was on THE Daily Show recently.  And the only compliment Stewart could muster at the end of the show was a muddled, " I want to think you for making movies of such a nice quality."  Such a strangely worded compliment.  You could tell he didn't really think too much of his films, but he's too nice not to give him something. 

Aah, just make up your mind already!

 While I have no problems with Bardem getting this role, I can't help but want Tim Olyphant to play this role.  I think he's perfect.  He's got the look, age, and talent to pull this off.  What do you guys think?

Quote:

Originally Posted by hank_chinaski 

 While I have no problems with Bardem getting this role, I can't help but want Tim Olyphant to play this role.  I think he's perfect.  He's got the look, age, and talent to pull this off.  What do you guys think?

Not enough weathered gravitas. He can do grim sure, but he's too tightly-wound.  

Quote:

Originally Posted by hank_chinaski 

Oh, I think he has plenty weathered gravitas. But most of the characters he plays have all that boiling under the surface so sometimes its hard to see it especially when its cloaked with anger. But your right about him playing tightly wound characters. But how is Roland not tightly wound? He's got a lot boiling under the surface too. He's so cold and methodical in his gunslinger ways that it can't be anything but tightly wound at times. He definately has the grit to it also. And after rewatching the 1st season of Justified makes me think he can do all the softer and comedic moments that Roland has as well. Anyway, I still think he'd be perfect. He hasnt had the chance to have a good Film career either. His best stuff has been on TV.

I don't think Roland's tightly wound at all.  He's got a mission. He's obsessed for sure, but it's more of a hardened focus driving a world-weary shell. I don't think Olyphant carries himself that way (yeah, I know.. ACTING!). Plus he just looks too fresh-faced. Too youthful.
 

I agree. I think people tend to only see Roland as being some tough, gritty cowboy. But he's also quite often befuddled, haunted and fatherly. Olyphant isn't the fatherly type, the kind of guy who someone like an Eddie Dean would want to seek approval from. Whoever plays Roland needs to look a bit weathered, yes, but he also has to convey a certain sense of authority.

Olyphant would be a fine choice ... to play Flagg.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zak chase 

Olyphant would be a fine choice ... to play Flagg.

 Flagg in The Stand?  Absolutely.   Flagg in The Dark Tower?  I dunno.  For some reason, I see a weasly Brit actor playing Flagg here, like a Tim Roth or something.