Almost a month ago, we reported that Javier Bardem and Viggo Mortensen were the leading candidates to take on the starring role of Roland Deschain in Ron Howard's The Dark Tower adaptation.  Today, we're updating the list of candidates to include recent Golden Globe-winner (and current Oscar-nominee) Christian Bale.  Reports are filing in that Bale has not only entered the casting equation but that he is currently director Ron Howard's choice for the lead role.For more on the role of Deschain as well as updates regarding possible candidates for female character Susannah Dean, hit the jump.the-dark-tower-imageNews of Bale's potential involvement in The Dark Tower originates with the New York Post whose report is quick to point out that the role of Deschain is one of the most coveted roles currently floating around Hollywood.  The role's popularity in mind, and with the first of three films in the Stephen King franchise not due out until May 13th, 2013, it may be safe to say that rumors regarding The Dark Tower's leading man may change potential hands a few more times before any concrete announcements are made.It's also important to remember that whoever signs on to play Deschain will most likely be on the hook not only for three films but also at least one season of the planned Dark Tower television series.  Whether Bale, or any of the potential candidates we've discussed thus far, have that sort of wiggle room in their schedules remains to be seen.Finally, in addition to the Bale news, the same New York Post report claims that two actresses are currently on the short list to take on the role of Susannah "Odetta Holmes" Dean.  Both Jennifer Carpenter (Dexter) and French/Moroccan actress Ghita Tazi are reportedly leading candidates to make a turn as Dean, a young woman who possesses split-personalities as a result of brain trauma experienced as a young girl.  That said, based purely upon the fact that Dean is an African-American in King's books, I'm going to reserve some naive hope that more black actresses are brought into an official list of candidates in the near future.