STALLED ‘HELL ON WHEELS’ ROLLING AGAIN FOR SEASON THREE!

STALLED ‘HELL ON WHEELS’ ROLLING AGAIN FOR SEASON THREE!

 

As reported here on November 18^th, AMC’s commitment to a third season of HELL was put on hold when newly signed show-runner John Shiban bowed out.  Previously, the contracts of series creators/writers/producers Joe and Tony Gayton had not been renewed.

 

Happily, AMC has just announced that there will be more HELL, this time overseen by exec producer and showrunner John Wirth, who has previously performed similar duties on PICKET FENCES, FALLEN SKIES, TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES, and several other series.  Most heartening of all, back in 1993 he was a writer and producer on THE ADVENTURES OF BRISCO COUNTY JR. 

 

No, it's not from HELL, it's from BRISCO COUNTY, JR. 

 

You can hear the collective sigh of relief from the various producers.  Jeremy Gold, Endemol Studio’s exec producer on HELL, said "We are delighted that John Wirth will be joining us on this remarkable journey. John is a proven showrunner with a terrific voice and a deep passion for our show."  Entertainment One Television’s Michael Rosenberg concurs.  "We're delighted to continue our relationship with AMC, Endemol and Nomadic Pictures.  John Wirth is an incredible talent who will drive our roaring series and build on the strength and success of the HELL ON WHEELS brand." Season three’s ten episodes are scheduled to premiere in the third quarter of 2013.

FROM SUNDANCE TO THE WEB TO MARYLAND, 4 NEW WESTERNS IN THE WORKS!

‘SWEETWATER’ AT SUNDANCE

This New Mexico-lensed Western from Kickstart Productions is heading for the Sundance Film Festival in January.  Set in post Civil War New Mexico, it’s the story of the collision between a renegade lawman, a religious fanatic and a once-soiled dove. 

 

 

Ed Harris in APPALOOSA

Toplining as Sheriff Jackson is Ed Harris, who did a terrific job adapting Robert B. Parker’s APPALOOSA, as well as directing and starring, and who, back in 1996, starred in Ted Turner’s version of Zane Grey’s RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE.  Playing Sara is MAD MEN’S beautiful January Jones, who also starred in Tommy Lee Jones’ THE THREE BURIALS OF MELQUIADES ESTRADA.  Reverend Armstrong is portrayed by Jason Isaacs, who played Lucius Malfoy in the HARRY POTTER films.  Eduardo Noriega, who plays Miguel Ramirez, starred in last year’s BLACKTHORN, playing opposite Sam Shepard’s Butch Cassidy.  He will soon be seen with Arnold Schwarzenegger in the modern-day Western THE LAST STAND.  Chad Brummett, who plays Sid, was Kane in 3:10 TO YUMA, and will be seen next year in THE LONE RANGER.

 

Eduardo Noriega in BLACKTHORN

Co-directors Logan Miller and Noah Miller previously collaborated on TOUCHING HOME, which also starred Ed Harris. 

‘SIX GUN SAVIOR’ – FROM WEBISODE TO FEATURE

When I spoke to Western actor Martin Kove at a NATIONAL DAY OF THE COWBOY event back in August, I asked him what his next Western would be.  “I’m doing an internet series called SIX GUN SAVIOR, a supernatural western.”  That internet series has since been promoted to feature status, and as the accompanying stills attest, they’ve been filming at Melody Ranch.

 

 

Jyll King touches up Martin Kove's make-up

while he studies the script

 

 

Eric Roberts?  The Devil it is!

The plot concerns gunman Lane McCrea (Kaleo Griffith), who has become the Devil’s bounty hunter since selling his soul to save his wounded brother’s life.  In trying to get free of his obligations, Lane is helped by The Mentor (Martin Kove), and must face up to The Devil (Eric Roberts). 

 

Don't trust that smile!

 

 

Katherine McEwan

‘DAY OF THE GUN’ SECOND MARYLAND WESTERN

A tip from actor Dan Searles turned me on to DAY OF THE GUN, a Western shot in Maryland by Wayne Shipley.  It turns out that writer/director Shipley started One-Eyed Horse Production back in 2007, to make his first Maryland-lensed (but not set) Western, ONE-EYED HORSE, so this is his second New England oater.  Although I haven’t got a synopsis, the accompanying six-minute trailer will give you a good taste of a very professional-looking production.  And they certainly take their weapons and their history seriously – there’s even an S.A.S.S. (Single Action Shooting Society) Special Edition of ONE-EYED HORSE available.  You can learn more at their site, HERE.

 

‘JANE GOT A GUN’, AND SHE’S GOT MORE CAST MEMBERS

 

Natalie Portman in COLD MOUNTAIN

Back in May we reported that Natalie Portman, who previously starred in the Western COLD MOUNTAIN (2003), was set to star in another Western, JANE GOT A GUN.  It’s about a woman whose bandit spouse comes home shot to pieces and nearly dead. When his former associates come to finish him off, Jane turns to an ex-beau to save them.  Michael Fassbender, of BAND OF BROTHERS, INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS, and JONAH HEX fame, will play her former lover.  Now just added, Joel Edgerton, who played Owen Lars in the later STAR WARS films, and will soon be seen in ZERO DARK THIRTY and as Tom Buchanan in THE GREAT GATSBY, will play the leader of the gang out to kill Jane’s husband. 

The role of the husband is not yet cast, but according to IMBDPro, the top two contenders are Chris Pine, soon to be seen as Capt. Kirk in the next STAR TREK movie, and Joel Kinnaman, currently filming the ROBOCOP reboot, playing the title character. 

 

JANE is an original screenplay by first-timer Brian Duffield, and was a highly touted ‘Black List’ script. (Note: this ‘Black List’ has nothing to do with politics. It is a list of highly respected scripts that haven’t been sold. Stupid name, considering the ‘Black List’ connotation, isn’t it?) It is to be directed by Lynne Ramsay, helmer of WE’VE GOT TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN.


 

 

TCM FANATIC - WESTERN NOW ONLINE!

And speaking of TCM (okay, nobody was), have I mentioned that the segment I was interviewed for is now viewable here?






 

THE AUTRY NATIONAL CENTER

Built by cowboy actor, singer, baseball and TV entrepreneur Gene Autry, and designed by the Disney Imagineering team, the Autry is a world-class museum housing a fascinating collection of items related to the fact, fiction, film, history and art of the American West. In addition to their permanent galleries (to which new items are frequently added), they have temporary shows. The Autry has many special programs every week -- sometimes several in a day. To check their daily calendar, CLICK HERE. And they always have gold panning for kids every weekend. For directions, hours, admission prices, and all other information, CLICK HERE.



HOLLYWOOD HERITAGE MUSEUM

Across the street from the Hollywood Bowl, this building, once the headquarters of Lasky-Famous Players (later Paramount Pictures) was the original DeMille Barn, where Cecil B. DeMille made the first Hollywoodwestern, The Squaw Man. They have a permanent display of movie props, documents and other items related to early, especially silent, film production. They also have occasional special programs. 2100 Highland Ave., L.A. CA 323-874-2276. Thursday – Sunday 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. $5 for adults, $3 for senior, $1 for children.



WELLSFARGO HISTORY MUSEUM

This small but entertaining museum gives a detailed history of Wells Fargo when the name suggested stage-coaches rather than ATMS. There’s a historically accurate reproduction of an agent’s office, an original Concord Coach, and other historical displays. Open Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. Admission is free. 213-253-7166. 333 S. Grand Street, L.A. CA.


WESTERN ALL OVER THE DIAL


INSP’s SADDLE-UP SATURDAY features a block of rarely-seen classics THE VIRGINIAN and HIGH CHAPARRAL, along with BONANZA and THE BIG VALLEY. On weekdays they’re showing LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, BIG VALLEY, HIGH CHAPARRAL and DR. QUINN, MEDICINE WOMAN.


ME-TV’s Saturday line-up includes BRANDED, THE REBEL and THE GUNS OF WILL SONNETT. On weekdays it’s DANIEL BOONE, GUNSMOKE, BONANZA, BIG VALLEY, WILD WILD WEST, and THE RIFLEMAN.


RFD-TV, the channel whose president bought Trigger and Bullet at auction, have a special love for Roy Rogers. They show an episode of The Roy Rogers Show on Sunday mornings, a Roy Rogers movie on Tuesday mornings, and repeat them during the week.


WHT-TV has a weekday afternoon line-up that’s perfect for kids, featuring LASSIE, THE ROY ROGERS SHOW and THE LONE RANGER.


TV-LAND angered viewers by dropping GUNSMOKE, but now it’s back every weekday, along with BONANZA.


That's a wrap for this week!  I hope to have me Henry Darrow interview ready for next week, and coming soon I'll have an interview with actor/director To Jane about his soon-to-lens Western A MAGNIFICENT DEATH FROM A SHATTERED HAND!  I may even have my review of LINCOLN if I ever get to see it!

Happy Trails,

 

Henry

 

All Original Contents Copyright December 2012 by Henry C. Parke  - All Rights Reserved