‘The Dark Tower:’ Idris Elba, Matthew McConaughey, Katheryn Winnick Filming On Set In Cape Town [Photos]
Filming has begun on the epic movie adaptation of Stephen King’s book, as stars head to Cape Town, South Africa, to start shooting The Dark Tower.
The shooting location was revealed on Instagram by Vikings actress, Katheryn Winnick, showing herself on the set. Her role in the film is still unknown, and in one of the images, below, she can be seen covering the name of her character on a sign posted on her trailer.
Matthew McConaughey, who is in the role of the Randall Flagg – the Man in Black, along with Idris Elba as the gunslinger and last hope for Mid-World, and Roland Deschain are also in Cape Town right now, and Winnick is obviously excited to work with the talented duo.
Winnick also posted a short video to Instagram showing the iconic Lions Head mountain and a brief view across the city of Cape Town, with a brief commentary as they wrap what was then the second day of filming of The Dark Tower.
Based on the series of well-loved Stephen King novels, the movie is set in the modern world, following the gunslinger as he searches for the Dark Tower, all the while battling his enemy, the Man in Black.
As reported by Indiewire, and for those familiar with the novels, according to Stephen King, the movie adaptation of The Dark Tower will start in the middle of the story, not the beginning. The series of books has developed a cult following since King started the series back in 1982.
Stephen King adaptation #TheDarkTower starts filming in Capte Town with Matthew McConaughey & Idris Elba https://t.co/U4oUeQGDEG
— Indiewire (@indiewire) May 11, 2016
As reported by the Inquisitr, some fans were reportedly not happy with the choice of Elba for the role of Roland Deschain, as the character in the novels was white. However, King himself is happy with the casting and was heard to respond to the criticisms, saying the color of the character does not matter and that Elba is perfect for the role.
Other stars known so far are Fran Kranz (Cabin in the Woods), who is playing the role of Pimli, right-hand man to the Man in Black. Model, actress and musician Abbey Lee is in the role of Tirana, Tom Taylor will play Jake Chambers, and Jackie Earle Haley (Breaking Away, The Bad News Bears) will play Sayre.
In related news on the Inquisitr:
- ‘The Dark Tower’ Author Stephen King On Going From Book To Film
- Matthew McConaughey’s Lincoln Ads Parodied By Jim Carrey, Prepares To Star In Movie Adaptation Of Stephen King’s ‘The Dark Tower’
- Stephen King Comments On Rumors Of Idris Elba In Lead For ‘The Dark Tower’ — Does He Approve?
According to a report by Comic Book Resources, Claudia Kim, who played Dr. Helen Cho in Avengers: Age of Ultron, has also joined the cast and will likely play Arra Champignon, a mysterious psychic.
As for the leading man, Idris Elba, 43, he has been busy. He has been in London over the weekend for the BAFTA TV awards and was seen on the red carpet with Naiyana Garth, sparking rumors of a reunion between the two. However, the mother of their 23-month-old son Winston stayed in London while Elba headed to Africa.
According to a report in the Daily Mail, Idris arrived at Cape Town International Airport on Tuesday looking surprisingly fresh and awake after the long flight from London. While Elba recently has been busy promoting his latest film, The Jungle Book, he’s right back into work again shooting The Dark Tower.
As for the film itself, The Dark Tower will be directed by Nikolaj Arcei, with Ron Howard and Brian Grazer as producers, and is set to be released in theaters on February 17, 2017.
[Photo Idris Elba by John Phillips – Katheryn Winnick by Ethan Miller – Matthew McConaughey by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images Entertainment]
