We can’t get too bent out of shape about a Magnificent Seven remake, as that film was itself a reinterpretation of Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai (itself a reimagining of… no, that was actually original).
The Magnicent Seven had a few things going for it, mainly a star-studded cast: Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, James Coburn, Robert Vaughn, Brad Dexter, Horst Buchholz, all acting alongside a Pre-Death Wish Charles Fucking™ Bronson. Now, with Tom Cruise already attached to MGM’s remake, the project picks up even more steam with new casting rumors in the form of Kevin Costner, Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman.
If these rumors do come to fruition, the obvious comparison is Soderbergh’s Ocean’s 11 remake – casting supporters who are every bit as A-List as the lead. Cruise has gone a long way in redeeming the twilight of his career, with Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol making the uber-monies.
Damon and Freeman will be fine here, but the rumor that really tickles me is Costner. Open Range (which he also directed) is an underrated, modern western that’s been lost in the conversation. Costner’s one of those 90s-era performers, similar to Cruise in a way, that petered out for a time only to be picking up steam again (he’s also appearing in Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel).
Hopefully they’ll include some young talent here as casting forges on. These marquee names could go a long way in giving up-and-coming talent a boost (cough, Aaron Paul, cough).
3 comments
Love the inclusion of Aaron Paul in the discussion! How great would it be to see him share the screen with the likes of Costner and Cruise?! If only this was actually in the works…
I love the original film – I hope they do the famous reveal sequence in the same manner, “five?” “Six?” “Seven?” They’ll need to choose a bad guy with some chops. Also, it would be interesting if they made the film with a harder edge.
That being said, if Costner is in this, I’ve got the perfect introduction scene. Cruise and Damon go to some out of the way bar to find the legendary Jake, a gunslinger known for his speed and carrying a fancy two gun rig……but he’s the typical (clichéd) drunk, somebody picks a fight and he stands up, pulls both guns and shows off some blinding speed.
It might be the closest we’ll ever come to a “Silverado” sequel.
The rumors point to Freeman being up for the villain.
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