The Dark Tower finally has its Gunslinger.

According to The Lawyer Herald, Idris Elba has officially signed on to play hero Roland Deschain in Sony’s highly anticipated (and cruelly gestating) film adaptation of Stephen King’s critically acclaimed series.



Word of Elba’s involvement in the project surfaced last month, when he was initially offered the role. Now that he’s confirmed, the spotlight turns to Matthew McConaughey and whether or not he agrees to play his nemesis, The Man in Black.

With regards to the rest of the cast, there haven’t been any rumors percolating just yet. Though, if they’re looking for ideas, we pieced together one hell of a pitch for Sony back in 2014. We didn’t tag Elba, but we did circle McConaughey. #justsaying

As previously reported, Nikolaj Arcel is directing the first film, The Gunslinger, which Sony still plans to release in theaters on January 13, 2017. Akiva Goldsman and Jeff Pinkner adapted the novel for the screen, while the two will also produce alongside Imagine Entertainment’s Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, and Erica Huggins.

Have more time? Revisit our recent celebration of Stephen King’s works in film here.