The Dark Tower movie moves forward with Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey

After years of trying to get an adaptation of Stephen King's prolific Dark Tower series made, the franchise is finally moving forward with Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey confirmed to star.

The author tweeted out the details this morning, and Entertainment Weekly confirmed that Elba would be playing the gunslinger, while McConaughey would portray the infamous man in black.

The Dark Tower series, which takes place over eight different novels and assorted comic books, is one of King's most famous. The characters in the series are also referenced time and time again in other novels found within his body of work. For those that haven't had a chance to read the series, the books follow Roland Deschain, a knight in the desolate land of Mid-World that arms himself with two revolvers.

Deschain, a man with a mission, is trying to reach a very specific tower that stands at the center of time and space so he can save his fallen world. Opposite him is a villainous sorcerer referred to as the man in black, whose primary goal is to also reach the tower and use its power to rule over the various kingdoms.

Director Nikolaj Arcel — best known for his script work on the Swedish thriller The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo — told the magazine he has plans to start shooting in seven weeks.

The Dark Tower has been tentatively set to be released Jan. 13, 2017.