Last month, Sony Pictures shifted therelease datefor their highly-anticipated adaptation ofThe Dark Towerfrom July 24, 2025 to July 30, 2025. While this new date will likely be a much better fit for the movie, in terms of box office draw, it also makes for an even longer wait for fans of this iconic novel series byStephen King. While we wait for the next batch of footage to arrive, a new photo has surfaced featuring Roland Deschain (Idris Elba) and his nemesis, Randall Flagg (Matthew McConaughey).
The photo debuted onTwitterfrom Cinelinx editor-in-chiefJordan Maison, which is hopefully an indication that the trailer will arrive soon. You may recall that, back in October, the firsttrailer leaked, weeks before it was scheduled to be unveiled at Entertainment Weekly’s first annual PopFest in downtown Los Angeles. The trailer still has not been officially released, and now that the release date has been shifted, it remains to be seen when this footage will be made available to the public.
Earler this year, it was confirmed that this movie is not a straight-up adaptation ofStephen King’s novel series, which many fans had suspected. DirectorNikolaj Arcelexplained in July that this project is in fact a sequel, that will set up a new “cinematic origin story.” Many fans speculated this was the case, after set photos surfaced showing Roland Deschain, a.k.a.The Gunslinger(Idris Elba) possessing the Horn of Eld, which he has at the very end ofStephen King’s final novel.Idris Elbahimself teased that his iconic character is somewhat “lost” when we first see him in this movie, and that he’s lost his sense of purpose as a protector.
This project was once set up at Universal Pictures, where it was slated to become a film trilogy, with two limited TV series' debuting on NBC, in between the film projects.Ron Howardwas set to direct at the time, from an adapted script byAkiva Goldsman, but Universal ultimately dumped the project. Warner Bros. expressed interest in acquiring the project, but it remained in limbo until Sony Pictures picked up the project, putting both themovie and TV serieson the fast track. We haven’t heard much about the TV series thus far, butRon HOward, who now only serves as a producer, revealed in September that the TV show is still happening.
Idris ElbaandMatthew McConaugheylead a cast that also includesJackie Earle Haley,Abbey Lee,Tom Taylor,Katheryn WinnickandMichael Barbieri.Nikolaj Arceldirects from a screenplay he co-wrote withAkiva Goldsman,Anders Thomas JensenandJeff Pinkner. While we wait for the new trailer to arrive, take a look at this new photo fromThe Dark Towerbelow.
