It's been rumored for a few weeks that Javier Bardem and Viggo Mortensen were up for the lead role of Roland in Ron Howard's adaptaion of
The Dark Tower, but we've yet to hear any confirmation. Recently, Howard saidd that a script is still being worked on, so casting would be a ways off.
However, MTV cought up with producer Brian Grazer who had a different story to tell:
"...when we asked if he'd talked to the two actors about the part, he simply laughed and responded, 'Sure.' Grazer did say, however, that a casting announcement is imminent. How imminent? 'Within a week,' he said. Seriously? 'Seriously. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Seriously,' he assured us before asking, 'Who do you want?' Honestly, we'll take either of them. 'OK, great,' Grazer concluded."
No specific day was given, but we'll keep you updated once the announcement hits. It sounds as if it truly is down to Bardem and Mortensen judging from Grazer's comments. I'm happy with either one of them, but Mortensen would definitely be the better of the two.
The Dark Tower is a unique project and poses a scheduling issue for whichever actor signs on to the project as it will be a series of films as well as a television mini-series. Whether it be Bardem or Mortensen, or any other actor that joins the film, they will have to sign on for several films as well as the TV series, which it is being reported that NBC, or one of it's affiliates (ie the USA Network). Naomi Harris was also rumored to be up for a role in the project.