Fans are highly anticipating the release of a new Stephen King movie as the novelist made the announcement that filming is set to begin.

Horror author Stephen King posted to social media that Matthew McConaughey and Idris Elba will star in the upcoming adaptation of his fantasy series The Dark Tower.

“It's official: The man in black fled across the desert and the gunslinger followed,” said King on Facebook. “To me, the color of the gunslinger doesn't matter. What I care about is how fast he can draw… and that he takes care of the ka-tet.”

In the comment, King confirms that Elba will be the gunslinger and McConaughey will play the mystical foe known as the man in black. The novel series was inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, spaghetti western classics, and a poem by Robert Browning.

Photo Credit: The Dark Tower Official Website

“The Dark Tower series tells the story of Roland Deschain, Mid-World’s last gunslinger, who is travelling southeast across Mid-World’s post-apocalyptic landscape, searching for the powerful but elusive magical edifice known as The Dark Tower. Located in the fey region of End-World, amid a sea of singing red roses, the Dark Tower is the nexus point of the time-space continuum.  It is the heart of all worlds, but it is also under threat. Someone, or something, is using the evil technology of the Great Old Ones to destroy it.”

Many people have taken to social media to express their excitement or disappointment about the casting decision. It is unclear when the production is expected to be completed or if it will become a series, but nonetheless, fans are excited to see their favourite gunslinger on the big screen.