Matthew McConaughey might become a villain in the upcoming horror film, "The Dark Tower," which is based on a Stephen King novel series.
"The Dark Tower," which is a Sony/MRC adaptation, will be produced by Ron Howard and Brian Grazer, who also helmed TV movie "EdTV" starring McConaughey.
According to TheWrap sources, neither side has committed to the project even though preliminary discussions have already begun. However, insiders say that McConaughey and the film's producers are both interested in going for a deal any time soon.
In a previous report from The Wrap, it was said that McConaughey was being recruited as the protagonist gunslinger Roland Deschain. The new "The Dark Tower" update claims that he is also being offered the villain in the film, who is called the Man in Black. It also appears that McConaughey seems more interested in the darker role. McConaughey is one of the rare A-list actors in Hollywood without a movie franchise. With this recent "The Dark Tower" news, that may change, no matter what role he wants.
"The Dark Tower" will be directed by Nikolaj Arcel, while the script, which is based on the first book of Stephen King's "The Gunslinger" series, was penned by Akiva Goldsman and Jeff Pinkner.
"The Gunslinger" is a horror and fantasy mix which centers on the life of a gunslinger who is on a quest to finding The Dark Tower. As it happens, the gunslinger must destroy the tower before evil sets foot there and end existence.
According to TheWrap, a TV companion for "The Dark Tower" is also being developed along with plans for the film franchise. However, it remains unclear whether the TV component will need the actor who plays gunslinger Roland Deschain, or if the series will feature other "Dark Tower" characters.
If it happens that McConaughey will play both film and TV roles, it would be of no risk since the movie is familiar with TV as well. He has already starred in the first season of HBO's "True Detective," and Howard and Grazer's "EdTV" is a "TV" project rather than a big-budget commercial film.
In an earlier statement, Sony chief Tom Rothman has said that "The Dark Tower" will be the beginning of a global franchise and that "there are few projects out there that compare with the scope, vision, complex characters and fully drawn world that Stephen King."
It is perhaps worth noting that Matthew has also been rumored to star as the villain in another Stephen King adaptation - "The Stand." The Josh Boone directed film is reportedly still under development with Warner Bros. and not close to the beginning of production of "The Dark Tower."
It will be unlikely that McConaughey would decide to star in both King adaptations. If he did take "The Stand," it would be close to impossible for him to star in "The Dark Tower."
While he hasn't committed to any movies set to film in 2016, McConaughey, who won an Academy Award for the "Dallas Buyers Club," is now lending his voice to the animated movies "Sing" and "Kubo and the Two Strings." He just finished filming the Civil War thriller, "Free State of Jones," as well as the drama, "Gold."
According to Cinema Blend, "The Dark Tower" release date has been slated for January 13, 2017.
