One of the many acting pillars that sustain THE DARK TOWER is the American actor born in Honduras José Zúñiga (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.).

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Zúñiga who plays Dr. Hotchkiss, a psychologist that tries to help Jake, a young boy haunted by strange visions.

The Stephen King adaptation, directed by Nikolaj Arcel (A Royal Affair), also stars Idris Elba, Matthew McConaughey, Jackie Earle Haley, Dennis Haysbert, and Abbey Lee.

What was your reaction when you were told that you got this role in THE DARK TOWER?

It was something that I could never have imagined. I was driving here in LA, coming back from my daughter’s school, and suddenly the phone rang. I never answer, but I did by mistake. I was told “You need to get on a plane because tomorrow you will start working on THE DARK TOWER!” I couldn’t believe it! I asked the director why he chose me and Nikolaj said “I saw something in you that immediately made me feel that you were the right person.” I was lucky, but also predestined because I always wanted to work in a Stephen King adaptation. It was half a miracle!

My understanding is that they are taking elements from the 8 books to craft a new version. Is your character in the novels?

What they wanted to do is to introduce the general public to this universe, as a starting point, with the potential of future films and a TV series. They wanted to present this young boy Jake and he is a patient of Dr. Hotchkiss. My character is in one or two books, but not featured prominently. But he may be more important in this film, and what may come next. He helps the audience know more about Jake and his visions. Both have experienced a lot of pain in their lives.

The books are very thick, but at their core there is a very relatable story of good vs. evil. Right?

Absolutely! It is a simple tale that touches your heart. I remember reading the script and being very moved by it. The fact that they took all of these books and created something so affecting and human is remarkable.

THE DARK TOWER will be released in theaters on Friday August 4.

The Gunslinger, Roland Deschain, roams an Old West-like landscape where “the world has moved on” in pursuit of the man in black. Also searching for the fabled Dark Tower, in the hopes that reaching it will preserve his dying world.