The Dark Tower eyes Matthew McConaughey for the role of The Gunslinger

The man in black fled across the desert, and Matthew McConaughey followed…

TheWrap brings word that Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club, “True Detective”) is being eyed for the lead role of Roland Deschain, aka The Gunslinger, in the big screen adaptation of Stephen King‘s The Dark Tower. However, The Hollywood Reporter brings conflicting word that McConaughey is up for the film’s villain role, Randall Flagg, aka The Man in Black. Check back here once the dust settles on the film’s casting.

Director Nikolaj Arcel, who co-wrote the Swedish version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and directed the Academy Award-nominated A Royal Affair, is set to helm the big screen adaptation, which also has a tie-in television series in development simultaneously. Academy Award winner Akiva Goldsman (A Beautiful Mind) and Jeff Pinkner (The Amazing Spider-Man 2) have written the screenplay, which is said to be based primarily on the first book in the seven volume series.

Sony Pictures and MRC were teaming to make the live-action version of Stephen King’s epic tale, which focuses on the saga of the legendary Gunslinger.

“I’m excited that ‘The Dark Tower’ is finally going to appear on the screen,” King previously said. “Those who have traveled with Roland and his friends in their search for the Dark Tower are going to have their long-held hopes fully realized. This is a brilliant and creative approach to my books.”

Ron Howard was initially planning to direct the first film in the series. He is now involved in producing the series through his Imagine Entertainment alongside Brian Grazer and Erica Huggins. Goldsman is also producing through Weed Road with Pinkner set to serve as executive producer.

The Dark Tower is currently set for release on January 13, 2017.

(Photo credit: IPA/WENN.com)