The making of the 1993 Western film Tombstone faced challenges behind the scenes. Kurt Russell’s role in the movie has been a subject of speculation, with reports suggesting he might have directed parts of it.
The film encountered issues from the beginning, including competition from Kevin Costner’s project Wyatt Earp, which had a larger budget. Director Kevin Jarre was fired early in production, and George P. Cosmatos took over. There were claims that Russell directed the movie, and though he avoided discussing it publicly, co-star Val Kilmer praised Russell’s commitment to the film. Russell’s recent comments to Rolling Stone remained ambiguous, but he emphasized the film wouldn’t exist without his involvement.
“Tombstone will always remain a mystery. I made a promise to somebody that I won’t talk about things publicly. At the end of the day, I’m really glad that it came out as well as it did. It had a group of fantastic actors and a writer that, in my opinion, wrote the best Western dialogue ever. And I always see it climbing its way up the ranks in the ‘Best Western’ conversation. I will say this: If I had not been around, Tombstone wouldn’t have, either.”
About Tombstone
Tombstone depicts events leading up to and following the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona, in the late 19th century. The movie focuses on historical figures like Wyatt Earp, his brothers Virgil and Morgan Earp, and the infamous gambler and gunslinger Doc Holliday. Kilmer’s portrayal of Doc Holliday was widely praised, and the film has gained a cult following for its representation of this historical period and the iconic characters involved in the events surrounding the O.K. Corral.
Tombstone is available for streaming on Hulu in the U.S.
