Part I of EW’s epic look at this tale of six-guns and roses.
An immense shape, like a floating fortress in the mist, looms over the city.
At times, it vanishes completely, masked by a curtain of seaside clouds.
Credit: MARCO GROB for EW
Tolkien, George Lucas, and J.K. Rowling.
The same stones, but a different structure.
He doesnt fully understand what it means.
Hes been walking around for a long time, so he definitely feels like a man whos…coiled.
In the parlance of Kings books, Roland has forgotten the face of his father.
Thats a sense of, Youve forgotten your purpose, Elba says.
Hes a protector, Elba says.
He just needs something to reawaken that part of himself.
Off in the distance is his quarry: Matthew McConaugheys Walter, a.k.a.
Bringing down the Tower is one way to end them all at once.
(Learn more about himin part II of ourDark Towercoverage.)
Until he meets Jake, he doesnt have anything to believe in, really, Elba says.
Hes really pent up and releases his soul through [defending] the boy.
I think hes a terrific actor, one of the best working in the business now.
Roland doesnt smile much, but Kings words seem to nudge him.
I wasthrilledto get this job, Elba says.
I ask him if he means a white guy, and Elba shrugs.
Its more than that.
I havent done many actions films, he says.
I like to bring a little depth and bring a real character.
And whats been fun is, Niks really up for that.
Its an iconic character.
I want to get it right.
I asked Elba if he considers the race-swapping of the character to be a big deal.
Its better just to treat it likenobig deal, Elba answers.
There should be no difference.
The character that was written in Stephens imagination, it could be any color.
It just happens to be me and, you know?
People go, A good actor is a good actor, you know?
A SCENE OF STEALTH
Roland stands on a rooftop, the wind rustling his floor-length duster.
His revolvers fire only when necessary.
Hes just very efficient in that sense, Elba says.
You know, if he can clear a room with five bullets as supposed to six, he will.
From the Hall of Hair, Roland slips into another room as his infiltration of the Dixie Pig continues.
Whoever orwhatever died here, died badly.
A doughy, middle-aged man (who is not really a man) mops up quietly.
He has a thick red line running down one side of his neck.
Roland is poised to draw, but sends the lowly monster scurrying with a single, unbroken stare instead.
This Taheen is not interested in tangling with a Gunslinger.
Theres a mystical element to him, Elba says during his break between scenes.
Hes about 200 years old.
Rolands completely tuned into that.
When you meet him, hes very much a stoic man, doesnt want to talk.
Elba stares up at the shape of Table Mountain, which has reappeared from behind the shifting morning clouds.
And he very much knows the way The Man in Black works.
Hes so clued up on that, which is what frustrates him, the actor says.
Because he cant catch him.
