Ethan Hawke to Write Remake of ‘The Gunfighter’

Preview:

• Ethan Hawke is aboard to co-write a new version of ‘The Gunfighter.’
• He’ll work on the script with writing partner Shelby Gaines.
• There’s a chance Hawke could direct the movie.

In a time when the Western as a genre seems largely to be succeeding more on TV that it does in movies (see the success of ‘Yellowstone,’ which especially in its period prequel outings is very much of that type, compared to the floptastic big screen likes of Kevin Costner’s ‘Horizon: An American Saga’), it might seem risky to contemplate a new one.

Yet that isn’t deterring with 20th Century Studios or actor/writer/director Ethan Hawke who, per Deadline, are coming together to explore the idea of a new take on a classic of the genre. And what’s more, an underappreciated one at that.

Their target is one from the studio’s vaults –– or at least from when it was still known as 20th Century Fox: ‘The Gunfighter,’ which starred Gregory Peck.

“His only friend was his gun… His only refuge – a woman’s heart!”

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NR1 hr 25 minJun 23rd, 1950

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Right now, according to the trade site, Hawke’s deal is just to write and produce the movie, but the hope is that if he and co-writer Shelby Gaines are happy with the screenplay, he may choose to call the shots.

Related Article: Ethan Hawke Talks Marvel’s ‘Moon Knight’

What’s the story of ‘The Gunfighter’?

Gregory Peck in ‘The Gunfighter’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

Directed by Henry King from a script by William Bowers and William Sellers, itself based on a story from André De Toth, ‘The Gunfighter’ focuses on reformed gunfighter Jimmy Ringo (Peck), on his way to a sleepy town in the hope of a reunion with his estranged sweetheart (Helen Westcott) and their young son (B.G. Morgan) who he has never seen.

On arrival, a chance meeting with some old friends including the town’s Marshal (Millard Mitchell) gives the repentant Jimmy some respite. But as always, Jimmy’s reputation has already cast its shadow, this time in the form of three vengeful cowboys hot on his trail and a local gunslinger hoping to use Jimmy to make a name for himself.

With a showdown looming, the town is soon in a frenzy as news of Jimmy’s arrival spreads. His movements are restricted to the saloon while a secret meeting with his son can be arranged giving him ideas of a long-term reunion with his family far removed from his wild past.

The film, released in 1950, was nominated at the 1951 Academy Awards for its story (those were the days when stories were rewarded as well as scripts).

What has Ethan Hawke said about the movie?

Ethan Hawke plays Arthur Harrow in Marvel’s ‘Moon Knight’ on Disney+.

Hawke is a big fan of the original, having discovered it partly between the Bob Dylan song ‘Brownsville Girl’ and through his friendship with director Richard Linklater.

And while he wouldn’t ordinarily rush to work on a remake, he does realize a good reason for revisiting ‘The Gunfighter,’ partly based on his experiences acting in the remake of ‘The Magnificent Seven.’

Talking on an episode of Turner Classic Movie channel’s ‘Two for One’ series, this is what Hawke had to say:

“One of the things that’s so hard about trying to remake a movie that means a lot to other people, they’re just never going to think your version’s better than the one they grew up on. They’re never going to think that, and you’d be way better off picking, you know, some totally forgotten Western that didn’t really work, but had a great idea to it.”

We would argue that ‘Gunfighter’s Oscar nomination suggests it did work to some degree, but it’s not like it’s spoken about in the same way as, perhaps, ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.’

What else does Ethan Hawke have coming out?

Ethan Hawke as The Grabber in ‘The Black Phone,’ directed by Scott Derrickson.

As a filmmaker, Hawke most recently brought us 2023’s ‘Wildcat,’ which stars his daughter, Maya Hawke and was co-written by Gaines.

Since then he’s acted in the likes of ‘Leave the World Behind,’ and has ‘Blue Moon’ set for release this year.

He has also worked on horror sequel ‘The Black Phone 2’ (where he’ll return as The Grabber) and drama ‘Tonight at Noon.’ Hawke is currently filming TV series ‘The Sensitive Kind.’

When would this new version of ‘The Gunfighter’ mosey into theaters?

Before you saddle up your steel horse and ride to your local movie palace, hold on. This new take on the Western doesn’t even have a script in place yet, so it won’t be going anywhere for quite a while.

That all said, who isn’t excited by the prospect of Hawke working on a new Western, current movie climate notwithstanding?

Ethan Hawke in Ti West’s ‘In a Valley of Violence’. Photo: Blumhouse Productions.

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