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The Dark Tower 2017
A 2017 American science fantasy film, The Dark Tower is based on Stephen King’s novel series of the same name. Nikolaj Arcel directed and co-wrote the movie, which features Idris Elba as Roland Deschain, a gunslinger searching to preserve the Dark Tower—a legendary structure that holds all realities—while Matthew McConaughey portrays his antagonist Walter Padick, and Tom Taylor appears as Jake Chambers, a young boy who joins Roland on his journey.
The film was initially conceived as the first part of a larger multimedia project, blending elements from the eight-volume novel series, especially the first and third books. The story unfolds across modern-day New York City and the Old West-style realm called Mid-World where Roland resides. It also serves as a continuation of the source material’s storyline.
Production of the film began ten years prior to its release. Planning for a screen adaptation started in 2007, followed by intermittent updates and official confirmations. The project was eventually halted before transitioning into the hands of another production company. Over time, various filmmakers and studios were involved, including Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures, and Lionsgate Entertainment. Three major development stages occurred: one led by J. J. Abrams from 2007 to 2009, then Ron Howard’s phase from 2010 to 2015, and finally, the current version announced in March 2015. This final version was produced by Sony Pictures Entertainment and Media Rights Capital, with Arcel at the helm and Howard in a producing capacity.
The Dark Tower had its premiere at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City on July 31, 2017, followed by a U.S. theatrical release through Sony Pictures Releasing on August 4, 2017. The movie earned $113.2 million globally on an expenditure of $66 million, receiving mostly negative reviews. Critics focused on how the extensive novel material was condensed into one film, although Elba’s performance, Holkenborg’s soundtrack, and action scenes were positively noted. Box office and reviews
Cast
- Idris ElbaRoland Deschain
- Matthew McConaugheyWalter Padick
- Tom TaylorJake Chambers
- Claudia KimArra
- Fran KranzPimli
- Abbey LeeTirana
- Katheryn WinnickLaurie
- Nicholas PaulingLon
- Jackie Earle HaleySayre
- Michael BarbieriTimmy
- Eva KaminskyJill
- Nicholas HamiltonLucas Hanson
- José ZúñigaDr. Hotchkiss
- Dennis HaysbertSteven Deschain
Crew
- Director
- Nikolaj Arcel
- Screenplay
- Akiva Goldsman, Jeff Pinkner, Anders Thomas Jensen, Nikolaj Arcel
- Producer
- Akiva Goldsman, Ron Howard, Erica Huggins
- Cinematography
- Rasmus Videbæk
- Editing
- Alan Edward Bell, Dan Zimmerman
- Music
- Tom Holkenborg
Details
- Production
- Columbia Pictures, Imagine Entertainment, MRC, Weed Road Pictures
- Distributor
- Sony Pictures Releasing
- Budget
- $66 million
- Box office
- $113.2 million
