Kurt Russell remains unsettled by Tombstone, a film that significantly shaped his career. The actor, known for his extensive work in Westerns and other genres, recently discussed why he feels the movie did not live up to its full potential despite its status as a defining work in his filmography.
Russell’s Career and Connection to Western Films
Beginning as a child star, Kurt Russell gained recognition as an adult actor with his Emmy-nominated role in the 1979 TV movie Elvis and his performance in Escape from New York. He later solidified his presence in major films such as The Thing and became a notable figure in Western cinema through projects like The Hateful Eight, Bone Tomahawk, and most notably, Tombstone.
Russell Cites Screenplay and Production Issues as Key Problems
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter while promoting Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, Russell addressed his problems with Tombstone’s execution. He emphasized that his disappointment stems largely from the screenplay, stating,
“That’s because of the screenplay. The movie is not as good as the screenplay,”
and added,
“I’ll never make peace with that. It could have been way better.”
Russell pointed out that although Tombstone is widely regarded as one of the great Westerns, it had the potential to rank among the best films across all genres if not for budget constraints and production difficulties.
“It’s considered one of the great Westerns, right? It could have been considered one of the great movies,”
he remarked.
Cast and Direction Impact on the Film’s Outcome
The film featured a strong ensemble cast, including Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday, Sam Elliott, and Bill Paxton as the Earp brothers. Russell noted,
“It had a great cast, but it had fabulous writing. And for a lot of different reasons, the money got burned through, and the director thing didn’t work out,”
explaining that these issues necessitated adjustments during production. He concluded,
“So we had to go about it differently, and we got what we made. The impact of Tombstone is very strong, and that’s nice. That’s great. But could it have been a lot better? Yes.”
Plot and Reception of Tombstone
Directed by George P. Cosmatos and written by Kevin Jarre, Tombstone loosely recounts the story of lawman Wyatt Earp, portrayed by Russell, who reunites with his brothers and friend Doc Holliday as they confront the outlaw gang known as The Cowboys. The film holds a 76% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer and an audience score of 93% on the Popcornmeter.
While Tombstone contains flaws, the film has proven to be enduringly popular, celebrated for its thrilling depiction of events leading up to the infamous gunfight at the OK Corral. Despite positive audience reception and critical acknowledgment, Russell’s close familiarity with the original script leaves him focused on its unrealized promise rather than its achieved success.
Current Projects and Lasting Impact of Tombstone
Kurt Russell is presently promoting Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, an Apple TV+ sci-fi series in which he stars alongside his son Wyatt Russell. Although engaged in new work within the Monsterverse franchise, Russell’s identity remains strongly linked to Western cinema. Tombstone, available for streaming on AMC+, stands as a benchmark in the genre, even as its lead actor continues to grapple with what the film might have been.
