The Dark Tower film: What we know so far
Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey star as Stephen King's saga comes to the big screen
Stephen King's Dark Tower series finally arrives in cinemas around the world this summer, ten years after the idea was first mooted.
A film adaptation has been in the works since 2007, first as a JJ Abrams project and then passed to Ron Howard and finally to Danish director Nikolaj Arcel, although Howard will still produce the show.
What's it about?
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Unlike King's best-known works, the Dark Tower series is a Western-tinged fantasy rather than pure horror, although it has its fair spare of spine-chilling moments.
It follows gunslinger Roland Deschain's quest for the fabled tower, which takes him through a disjointed, mystical alternative world.
With eight novels totalling more than 4,000 pages, cramming the entire saga into one film was never going to be possible.
Instead, The Dark Tower will function as an extension of the saga, set after the events depicted in the final book – although given the series' love of confusing and often circular timelines, we can expect to encounter many familiar faces.
Arcel told Entertainment Weekly: "The hardcore fans of the Dark Tower series will know that this is actually a sequel to the books in a way. It has a lot of the same elements, a lot of the same characters, but it is a different journey."
Who's in it?
Luther star Idris Elba plays Deschain, the largely silent protagonist of the series, and he's got the thumbs-up from King, who contributed to the film's screenplay. He said: "I think he's a terrific actor, one of the best working in the business now."
Matthew McConaughey co-stars as ageless sorcerer the Man in Black, Deschain's elusive nemesis and chief obstacle in his quest to reach the tower.
Fifteen-year-old Tom Taylor, who starred in the BBC's hit drama Doctor Foster, plays the gunslinger's protege Jake Chambers.
When can I see it?
The Dark Tower will be released in UK cinemas on 28 July 2017. But fans of the series might have even more to look forward to, as the film's production team is currently in talks to turn the books into a TV series as well.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'The House under GOP rule has become a hostile workplace'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
The Shohei Ohtani gambling scandal is about more than bad bets
In The Spotlight The firestorm surrounding one of baseball's biggest stars threatens to upend a generational legacy and professional sports at large
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Feds raid Diddy homes in alleged sex trafficking case
Speed Read Homeland Security raided the properties of hip hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Westbury Hotel review: stunning suites in charming Dublin
The Week Recommends This hotel is the perfect spot to while away a weekend in Ireland's capital
By Kaye O'Doherty Published
-
Drama movies 2024: new films out this year
In Depth Latest reviews include The Boys in the Boat, One Life and Tchaikovsky's Wife
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Best new hotels and places to stay in 2024
The Week Recommends Featuring stylish island resorts, historical properties and wilderness retreats
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Albums of the year: best music of 2023
The Week Recommends A look back at the best pop, rap, jazz, dance, classical and rock releases
By The Week UK Published
-
Savoy Grill by Gordon Ramsay review: an institution reinvented
The Week Recommends Traditions are maintained and the tweaks are clever and modern
By Neil Davey Published
-
Tulum: a Mexican beach town of 'two halves'
The Week Recommends With the 'pueblo' and 'Zona Hotelera', Tulum is home to great hotels, restaurants and beach clubs
By William Leigh Published
-
La Zebra review: beach chic, perfect tacos and secret cenotes
The Week Recommends Enjoy a stylish stay in Mexico at this family-friendly beach hotel and restaurant
By William Leigh Published
-
Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas review: a mythical beachside resort
The Week Recommends Combine the classically simple pleasures of sun, sea and sand with upmarket fun and food
By Adrienne Wyper Published