Not a big thing I guess, but I do think it could hurt the film a little.
Many people will likely think the film stole it from the show (even if that isn't feasible because of production time), which could lead them to think the whole weird science fiction western vibe could also be lifted from HBO's show.
Sometimes it's all about being first out of the gate.
You know, when I watched a preview for that last night I was thinking it was very Mid-Worldy (for lack of a better word). But I think that show will press the sci-fi angle much more than The Dark Tower, does. I can see why The Dark Tower gets kind of edged into a sci-fi category, but I find it a lot more of a fantasy novel than sci-fi. There are touches of sci-fi blended in, but I just finished The Gunslinger and aside from a robotic voice coming from a handcar I don't recall anything else being very futuristic. There was a little electricity, but that's hardly sci-fi. Hopefully that will keep Westworld from doing too much damage, but lots of people tend to mistake things from similar genres as being rip-offs. I once saw this girl going off about how J K Rowling stole her werewolf idea from Twilight, so you know. At least sometimes the people holding the pitchforks end up being a great source of entertainment!
shareI agree that it's more fantasy than science fiction, but there's still plenty of post apocalyptic vibes, robots, maniac trains and what have you. Not to speak of revolvers.
And going by the script, they don't shy away from these things, at least when it comes to creating atmosphere. Old gas stations, old playgrounds, the song Comfortably Numb etc...
And besides, to some people there's barely a difference between Primer and Willow.
Speaking of those people...
I once saw this girl going off about how J K Rowling stole her werewolf idea from Twilight, so you know.
I am not sure that we want shallow and unmotivated people being the fulcrum that decides whether The Dark Tower succeeds at the box office.
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It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing .
I'm afraid that's the name of the game.
shareDo you truly believe they (people who think that The Dark Tower copied Westworld) will be the deciding factor? To myself, that seems like a stretch.
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It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing .
Oh, I don't think it will be a make or break, but it might end up having a very slight impact. And there really are people that start jumping up and down screaming, "Stephen King steals material from HBO!" before doing their homework (because J K Rowling steals material from Stephanie Myer in their lunatic world). But certainly not enough people to spell the ruin of the franchise. Just enough for us to point and laugh when they keep stabbing themselves in the foot with their pitchfork because they're not holding it the right way.
shareJust enough for us to point and laugh when they keep stabbing themselves in the foot with their pitchfork because they're not holding it the right way.
Not the deciding factor, like I said it's kind of a little thing, but I definitely believe they will play a part. Even if it's just as an extra.
shareI've been watching Westworld and I am hyped to see what they're doing with the Dark Tower. I get your point about people mostly unfamiliar with either confusing certain elements of each, but I don't think it will change a thing about people deciding to see DT.
The similarities between the two are very superfcial. There are gunslingers in both, one a western world and the other a post-apoc western world. The scifi elements of each are pretty far from one another too.
So the Man in Black is the most common element. Ed Harris is badass and Mathew looks pretty badas, but both are different enough to really be different to most audiences. They'll get over the black clothing.
Maybe, ya know? I don't think it'll be enough of an issue. The feel of both is so different. Had this been a Wizard & Glass movie instead starting the DT series out for some reason, then the confusion would be apparent, sure.