[quote=@mdk]
<Snipped quote by POOHEAD189>

Have you considered that maybe they went with Idris Elba because he was the best actor?
[/quote]

No, because he would have needed to be far and away better than all of the others for them to even consider Roland Deschain to be played by this guy.
[img]http://i.onionstatic.com/avclub/5652/38/16x9/960.jpg[/img] 

Now, if all of the other actors who auditioned were shit, I'd be like "well, the story must go on, and Idras Elba is a fan of the books so if anyone of a different race is to play Roland, I'm glad its him." 

But I'm sorry, I just do not believe that. Hell, if I was the director, I'd find someone who looks the part and send them to 6 more months of acting school instead of casting a black person for a white role. 

If people are up in arms about the cast of Mulan being asian, and the cast of Aladdin being middle eastern, I want them to consistent about white roles being played by white actors. There are exceptions like I said above. You can't always cast your original actor, but still. 

NOW, if this was a movie set in an original universe, then go with the best actor as I said before. If you're toying with the idea of say, a movie set 30 years in the future about a man fighting against aliens for humanity's freedom. And you have in your mind a white actor, but Idras Elba walks up and performs better than the other white actors, AWESOME! I'm glad he went up there and autditioned, because we are getting the best actor for the role and I like Idras Elba. 

But the movie is a movie based on Tom Hanks' life story, no. I don't want Idras Elba being cast as Tom Hanks. Idgaf how good he is.