Mike Flanagan’s The Dark Tower TV series has the task of casting one of Stephen King’s most infamous villains — and here’s who should play the part. Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series consists of eight novels, one short story, and a children’s book. The books follow the last gunslinger Roland Deschain set in a multiverse containing the Mid-World and Keystone Earth. Roland’s only goal is to find the magical Dark Tower, which is the center of all creation, and protect it from the evil magical forces of the Crimson King and the Man in Black, who seek to rebuild the universe in their image.
The upcoming Mike Flanagan horror TV show will follow Roland Deschain on his mythic quest, but there’s no Roland without the Man in Black. The Man in Black goes by many names, but the one that’s the most well-known is Randall Flagg. Also appearing in Stephen King’s The Stand, the Man in Black seeks nothing but chaos and anarchy, acting as the main antagonist to Roland Deschain. The Man in Black is a powerful evil sorcerer, who is quasi-immortal and has had his hands in many a horrific event leading up to The Dark Tower. Every good story needs a good villain, and these actors are perfect for the job.
Ian McShane
If Mike Flanagan were to go a more book-accurate route for his Stephen King TV adaptation, then Ian McShane is the perfect actor for the role. The classically-trained British actor has a piercing stare and a menacing tone that would perfectly encapsulate the Man in Black’s manipulative doings. McShane has proven himself a formidable villain in the past, playing roles like the Machiavellian saloon owner Al Swearengen in Deadwood. In lighter fare, he also put on his swashbuckling hat to play Blackbeard in Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.
McShane is a big name in both the cinematic world and the theatrical one, getting his first big break as Heathcliff in the 1967 BBC version of Wuthering Heights. Since then, he’s had his hands in major properties like Ian McShane’s cameo in Game of Thrones, John Wick, and American Gods. Ian McShane is a highly decorated actor who would seamlessly slide into Stephen King’s Dark Tower world as the evil sorcerer. His baritone voice and rugged mannerisms would complement the character of the Man in Black in enumerable ways, and it’s easy to envision him in the role.
Jeremy Davies
Jeremy Davies most recently appeared as Terrence in The Black Phone, but his portrayal of cult leader Charles Manson in the 2004 TV movie Helter Skelter is the perfect precursor to the part of the Man in Black. The Man in Black is known for being a powerful silver-tongued manipulator, and who better to draw inspiration from than a figure like Charles Manson. Davies has proved that he has the creep factor to take on a character as unsavory as Randall Flagg, and his overall aesthetic doesn’t hurt either.
Davies has been in numerous blockbusters such as Twister and Saving Private Ryan but is probably most recognized for playing Dickie Bennett in Justified. His time on that series in particular has shown how easily he fits into a wild west setting, which is the general tone of The Dark Tower series as a whole. Imagining Jeremy Davies as The Walkin’ Dude is easy, as his swagger and seediness paint a complete picture.
Ethan Hawke
Ethan Hawke as The Grabber in The Black Phone was particularly terrifying — and he could easily bring that same energy to the part of the Man in Black. Hawke has had an illustrious career, appearing in nearly every genre and playing everything from heroes to villains. His time in The Magnificent Seven as Goodnight Robicheaux proves he can portray the spirit of a hardened westerner – and wanderer, a notable character trait of the Man in Black.
Actor Ethan Hawke has proven that he’s more than just a one-note villain, especially with The Black Phone. Hawke has the ability to take on a complex role like that of Randall Flagg and make it into something more than just being evil for evil’s sake. He’s also no stranger to more supernatural horror fare, like when he portrayed Ellison Oswalt in the Scott Derrickson horror film Sinister. Ethan Hawke would be an incredible addition to Mike Flanagan’s Dark Tower series, as he would make for a very intense Man in Black.
Henry Thomas
Most know Henry Thomas as Elliot from E.T., but the frequent Mike Flanagan collaborator has shown that child actors can successfully migrate into the adult acting world. While Thomas doesn’t often take on the role of a villain, instead opting for more sympathetic characters like Hugh Crain in The Haunting of Hill House, he has proved that he can do creepy by playing Jessie’s father Tom in Flanagan’s other King adaptation, Gerald’s Game. It’s quite possible that Flanagan will want to use one of his regulars, and Thomas is a great choice for the Man in Black.
While he is much more soft-spoken than some of the other contenders, this could work in Henry Thomas’ favor. The Dark Tower‘s Man in Black isn’t scary because he’s over-the-top but rather because he manipulates events from the sidelines, coercing others to his side through more subtle means. Henry Thomas is perfect in this regard, as his quiet nature would actually work to his advantage, and he certainly has the talent to take on the infamous Stephen King villain.
Rahul Kohli
Most recognize Rahul Kohli from other Mike Flanagan productions, such as his character Sheriff Hassan in Midnight Mass or Owen in The Haunting of Bly Manor. Again, if Flanagan wants to cast someone from his talented collaborator pool, then Kohli is a great choice. The actor has yet to play a major villain, but there’s no reason he couldn’t start now. The Man in Black is equally mysterious as he is formidable, and Kohli has both the look and the stature to highlight the evil sorcerer’s mysterious nature.
Kohli’s time in the cast of Midnight Mass proves he has the ability to be a hardened figure. Sheriff Hassan was obviously no villain, but Kohli’s portrayal of the complex character proves he can take on a difficult role. Rahul Kohli as Randall Flagg would be an entirely fresh take on the character, who has already been previously cast on the screen by actors like Matthew McConaughey and Alexander Skarsgård. Casting the Man in Black for Mike Flanagan’s The Dark Tower TV show won’t be easy for studios, as the iconic Stephen King villain is steeped in the author’s deep mythos and arguably one of his most well-known characters.