The big screen adaptation of Stephen King‘s The Dark Tower series continues to move forward today as Variety brings word that the project has cast relative newcomer Tom Taylor in the Jake Chambers role. Tom Taylor previously starred on the BBC One series Doctor Foster and appeared in two episodes of TNT‘s Legends, playing a younger version of Sean Bean’s character. He joins a Dark Tower cast that includes Idris Elba as Roland Deschain (The Gunslinger), Matthew McConaughey as Randall Flag (The Man in Black) and Abbey Lee as the film’s female lead, Tirana.
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, set up through Sony Pictures and MRC. 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. There’s also a tie-in television series in development simultaneously.
Jake Chambers is one of the story’s central characters and the first film will explain how the Gunslinger crosses paths with the Chambers family and how Jake becomes the Gunslinger’s protege. According to the trade report, Tom Taylor was selected for the role amidst a worldwide search for young talent.
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.
