One of the standout performances in THE DARK TOWER comes from Honduran-born American actor José Zúñiga (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.). Zúñiga portrays Dr. Hotchkiss, a psychologist helping Jake, a young boy tormented by mysterious visions. I recently had the opportunity to speak with Zúñiga about his role in this Stephen King adaptation, directed by Nikolaj Arcel (A Royal Affair), which also stars Idris Elba, Matthew McConaughey, Jackie Earle Haley, Dennis Haysbert, and Abbey Lee.
What was your reaction when you learned you got the role in THE DARK TOWER?
Zúñiga: "It was completely unexpected. I was driving in LA, just coming back from my daughter’s school, when I got a call. I usually don’t answer, but I picked up by accident. They told me, 'You need to catch a plane because tomorrow you’ll start working on THE DARK TOWER.' I couldn’t believe it! When I asked the director why he chose me, Nikolaj said, 'I saw something in you that made me feel you were perfect for the role.' It felt like a stroke of luck, but also like it was meant to be, especially since I’d always dreamed of being part of a Stephen King adaptation. It was half a miracle!"
I understand the film blends elements from all eight books in the series. Is your character in the novels?
Zúñiga: "They wanted to introduce a broad audience to this universe with the possibility of future films and a TV series. My character, Dr. Hotchkiss, works with Jake, helping the audience understand his visions. While my character appears in one or two of the books, he’s not very prominent. In this film, though, he plays a more significant role in uncovering Jake’s story. Both characters share a history of pain and loss."
The Dark Tower books are long, but at their heart, they tell a simple, relatable story of good versus evil, right?
Zúñiga: "Exactly! It’s a straightforward, heartfelt tale. When I read the script, I was genuinely moved by how they adapted all those books into something so deeply human. It’s remarkable how they’ve managed to create a story that resonates emotionally."
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