The long awaited cinematic adaption of Stephen King's The Dark Tower has made its debut to poor reviews. Despite the critic's opinions, there's been high praise for the casting of the two leads; Matthew McConaughey as The Man in Black, and Idris Elba as Roland Deschain, the Gunslinger. The Dark Tower won't have an amazing box office run, but given that it was made on a reported budget of just $60 million, it should just about recoup enough to ensure the franchise continues in one form or another. While we might not see a string of Dark Tower movies, it seems a pretty safe bet that the long-planned Dark Tower TV series will still happen.Just this week, Walking Dead showrunner Glenn Mazzara has been appointed to helm the project, while The Dark Tower movie director, Nikolaj Arcel, is involved in the writing process. The TV show will see Elba and Tom Taylor reprise their roles as Roland and Jake Chambers, respectively, with McConaughey not yet confirmed. However, while Elba will feature, the bulk of the show will adapt King's fourth book in the series, 'Wizard and Glass,' which tells of Roland's origins and how he came to be a gunslinger. In the novel, Roland is wise beyond his years, studious, solemn, and yet also still very green. The role of young Roland (aged around) will be up for grabs, but who could take on such a mammoth task?
RJ Cyler
Cyler is best known for his roles in Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, and as the Blue Ranger, Billy, in the latest Power Rangers movie reboot. Though Power Rangers received mixed reviews, Cyler was singled out for high praise from critics. His character, Billy, has autism, and Cyler's portrayal was sensitive, tactful, and heartwarming. He's certainly proven he has the ability to take on a role like Roland Deschain but sadly, at 22 years of age, he might be considered too old, despite his youthful appearance.
Ashton Sanders
Again, at the older end of the age spectrum, Sanders became the subject of great critical acclaim and several accolades for his role as a young gay man struggling with his sexuality in the Academy Award winning Moonlight. For that role, Sanders said he tapped into his own experiences of bullying, as well as relationships with those suffering from addiction. To that end, he could be just the person to bring to life the solemn Roland, who, along with his two closest friends and allies, has to suffer the prejudice of being the new guy in a small town where no one really wants them.
Dante Brown
At 17, Brown could be the perfect casting for the young Roland; he looks young enough to play a convincing 14-year-old, but old enough that he can portray the world-weariness that seems to weigh Roland down at times. Brown has already made a strong name for himself as Roger 'R.J.' Murtaugh in Lethal Weapon, the TV show based off the 1987 hit movie of the same name. If Brown were to appear in The Dark Tower series, it would be a huge step in his career.
McCarrie McCausland
Aside from his awesome name, there is another reason that McCausland makes our list. He's established a reputation for himself with appearances on shows such as Army Wives and The Originals, and McCausland is currently working on the movie, The Darkest Minds, starring Gwendoline Christie and Mandy Moore. The movie follows what happens when a disease wipes out 98% of America's children, and the surviving 2% develop superpowers. This will give McCausland experience of working in the fantasy genre, as well as working on a book to screen adaption. He's also well-versed in dramatic roles, but still young enough to play a teenager who's sometimes naive.
Kamil McFadden
Kamil McFadden might be unknown to a lot of people, but to the younger generation, he is instantly recognizable as Ernie Cooper, from the Disney Channel show, K.C. Undercover, where he plays opposite Zendaya. The show is a comedy, granted, but McFadden is very watchable and entertaining. He also works well as part of an ensemble cast, which would also be good since 'Wizard and Glass' is very much focused on Roland's time with Cuthbert and Alain, his closest friends, and also Susan Delgado.
Jaden Smith
Probably the most well-known and experienced of the actors on our list, Smith followed in his parents' footsteps and went into acting at an early age, starring opposite his dad, Will, in The Pursuit of Happyness, when he was just 8 years old. From there, he has continued to have roles in blockbuster movies, but more recently he's turned his talents to TV, appearing in The Get Down in the recurring role of Dizzee Kipling. Now that the show has been canceled, Smith has returned to the big screen for a part in an untitled Crystal Moselle project, set to release next year. Other than that, though, Smith appears to have a pretty clean slate. Could he become the young gunslinger?
Skylan Brooks
Another star from The Get Down, Brooks has a vast list of movie accolades to his name, but the only one that was a substantial part was playing Mister in The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete, in 2013. Brooks was highly praised for his performance, and then broadened his fan base when he starred in The Get Down. The character of Ra-Ra Kipling was certainly the most grounded of the group; something Brooks could definitely bring to the role of Roland Deschain.
Khylin Rhambo
Maybe a little on the old side, since he's 21, but Rhambo has a big and passionate fan base thanks to his work on Teen Wolf. He joined the show as Mason Hewitt in 2014, and his popularity has only increased. Before that, Rhambo appeared in The First Family, again as one of the main players, so if Sony wants a young actor who's experienced in working on a TV series, they could do worse than look at Rhambo. Visually, as well, it's not too much of a stretch to see him as a young Idris Elba.
Caleb McLaughlin
McLaughlin is only 15, but he's shot to fame as Lucas on Netflix's Stranger Things, soon to return for its second season. McLaughlin's career began on Broadway, playing the young Simba in The Lion King, but Stranger Things has propelled him to the big time. Along with the rest of the young cast, McLaughlin has more than proven himself as a very capable actor, well-versed in drama, comedy, horror, and the paranormal. In fact, he could well be the perfect casting for a young Roland...unless the producers want to head down the less well-known route.
Whatever the outcome, and whoever ends up being cast, you can be sure that despite the less than adequate Dark Tower movie, King fans will still be highly anticipating this TV show finally coming to life and telling the origins of Roland Deschain.
