Idris Elba in talks for lead role in Stephen King's The Dark Tower film adaptation

Matthew McConaughey will play the villain the Man in Black

After years of work dedicated to bringing Stephen King’s novel series The Dark Tower to the big screen, things are finally moving forward for the film.

Its troubled production began in 2008, when JJ Abrams was supposedly interested in directing the film, yet he dropped out just months later (and is now doing Star Wars).

Then, in 2010, Ron Howard was in line to direct yet this was also cancelled until earlier this year when Sony announced they were fast-tracking the film series with Nikolaj Arcel taking the helm.

The search soon began for a leading actor to take on the role of gunslinger Roland Deschain. Although Liam Neeson and Aaron Paul were interested in the role during Howard’s tenure, Idris Elba is reportedly in talks to take on the leading role.

According to Deadline, The Wire actor is the front-runner for the role and could be facing off against Matthew McConaughey, who is in talks to play the villainous Man in Black.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if Elba was offered the role: he’s long been rumoured to play James Bond while his performance in Beasts of No Nation is said to be in line for an Oscar.

The Dark Tower will follow the plot of the first novel in the series, The Gunslinger, with hopes of creating numerous sequels as there are currently eight novels.