It seems that Sony and MRC are looking at Matthew McConaughey for a lead role in their big-screen adaptation of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower. Apparently, producers Ron Howard and Brian Grazer want their old EdTV star to sign on for the ambitious project, which would adapt the first book in King’s incredibly popular Dark Tower saga, The Gunslinger.
According to The Wrap, McConaughey has actually been given the choice to play either the hero (Roland Deschain) or the villain (Walter O’Dim/The Man In Black), but is currently leaning towards the latter.
If this sounds somewhat familiar, it’s probably because the Interstellar actor was also being sought for the role of Randall Flagg in another King adaptation, The Stand, but he seemingly declined that offer since it’s still too far away from a shoot date. Oddly enough, however, both Flagg and O’Dim are supposed to be the same demonic entity.
Though insiders insist that it’s early days on this one, and neither side has committed just yet, The Wrap reckons preliminary discussions have taken place and both parties are interested in striking a deal.
The Dark Tower is currently set for a January 13th, 2017 release, so hopefully we’ll be hearing more on this shortly.