They have been rumoured for a while, but according to a tweet by Stephen King, Matthew McConaughey and Idris Elba are now confirmed for the adaptation of his sprawling, epic, meta series The Dark Tower.
The story starts off as a sort of post-apocalyptic Western, with Roland of Gilead, the Gunslinger (Elba) chasing the Man In Black (McConaughey) across a wasteland.
Gradually the source of his determination becomes clear, even as his prey seems to get further and further away.
Nicolaj Arcel, director of A Royal Affair (also Alicia Vikander's breakthrough film), is the man finally tasked with bringing this to the screen, after the likes of Ron Howard and J.J. Abrams tried to adapt it before, planning several films and a tie-in TV show as well.
Last August, studio Sony set a January 2017 release date for a first film at least, which seems very soon indeed.
Whether it makes that date or not, and whether or not there are later films or TV shows, The Dark Tower is one step closer to fruition, and that is exciting news.
