After years in the cinematic wasteland, Stephen King‘s The Dark Tower is finally coming to theaters next year. Idris Elba is playing the Gunslinger, Roland Deschain; while Matthew McConaughey will portray Roland’s nemesis, the Man in Black. However, two of the main characters from King’s novels won’t be making the leap to the live-action—at least not yet.

In the cover story for the latest issue of Entertainment Weekly, King and director Nikolaj Arcel confirmed that fan favorite characters, Eddie Dean and Susannah won’t be in the film, explaining why they weren’t included in any casting announcements. Without spoiling anything major, let’s just say that Eddie and Susannah are very important to Roland, and to each other. Or to put it in Doctor Who terminology, this is like putting the Doctor on the big screen without his companions.

However, both Arcel and King seem to be committed to introducing Eddie and Susannah in any potential sequels that may happen—though there’s no guarantee such a thing will happen. (It has to be a hit first!)

“They’re certainly out there,” explained Arcel while speaking to EW. “I think the entire story deserves to be told and should be told. I would certainly be disappointed in myself or my collaborators if we didn’t bring them in. They’re such a huge part of the story.” King added that “I’m fine with it…I know exactly where Akiva [Goldsman] always planned to bring them in and that’s cool with me.”

EW also noted that former Breaking Bad star Aaron Paul is very eager to play Eddie, if given the chance.

Dear @StephenKing,
How goes it my friend? So, about these Dark Tower rumors. What are your thoughts? Could you put in a good word for me?
Ap

— Aaron Paul (@aaronpaul_8) March 9, 2016

A few months ago, King hinted that the movie would actually be a sequel to The Dark Tower novels. In the EW feature, Arcel confirmed that revelation. “The hardcore fans of The Dark Tower series will know that this is actually a sequel to the books in a way. It has a lot of the same elements, a lot of the same characters, but it is a different journey.”

The Dark Tower will be released on Friday, February 17, 2017.

Dark Tower fans, how do you feel about the temporary exclusion of Eddie and Susannah? Let us know in the comment section below!

Image: Columbia Pictures/Entertainment Weekly