Entertainment
It’s Time for the Most Entertaining Western Movie of the ’90s to Get a Remake
If film studios and executives are hell-bent on continuing the remake trend, constantly farming known movies or IP for new takes, then they need to take a much closer look at the Western genre. There may be an aversion to Westerns because of the price tag that sometimes accompanies the set and costume designs, but the genre has already proven itself as a bountiful well for remakes and reimaginings. The Coen Brothers gave new life to True Grit in 2010 and out shined the original in every way. James Mangold’s 3:10 to Yuma may not have been better than its predecessor, but it was a damn good ride that got a younger generation excited about what Westerns could be.
With that in mind, there’s one widely adored Western from the 1990s that could actually benefit from the remake treatment. It’s hard to imagine a new take becoming better, but with modern technology and the versatility of many current Hollywood stars, there’s no reason a remake couldn’t at least stand up alongside its predecessor. Some may feel this is blasphemous, but it’s time we talked about remaking Tombstone.
Getting a ‘Tombstone’ Remake Right
There are certain movies from the ’80s and ’90s that are too good and too impactful to ever be remade. Films like Back to the Future (which keeps gracefully avoiding the reboot trap) or E.T. are virtually impossible to try again. While Tombstone is absolutely fantastic and wildly entertaining, it isn’t exactly in that same territory. Tombstone is a movie that is still as fun to watch as it used to be, but could also benefit from another perspective. The most difficult part would be keeping alive the charm of movies from that era, which Tombstone has in spades. It feels simple and defined in a way that makes it so much better than most modern movies, if that makes sense. If it lost that sensibility and tone, then you can go ahead and throw a remake out the window.
But if the right filmmaker got their hands on Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, especially in the more focused version of their iconic story that is depicted in Tombstone, they could create some real magic. Filmmakers like the aforementioned Mangold, who have a real reverence for Westerns and know how to make something feel tactile, or true blockbuster visionary like Ryan Coogler or Christopher Nolan. Who knows if any of those directors would actually take on a project like a Tombstone remake, but it would need a director of their caliber and style.
There are lots of movies about the gunfight at the O.K. Corral out there, with tons of films depicting the life and career of Wyatt Earp. Tombstone stood out for its modern (at the time) approach to the characters and its focus on the fantastic action pieces. The film only cared about the small sliver of the Earp story that took place once the brothers arrived in Tombstone, Arizona, allowing all the drama to directly build up the gunfight itself. That same narrative idea would be key to making a new version of Tombstone, setting it apart from most other Wyatt Earp movies.
Why Remake ‘Tombstone’ Now?
We don’t need more remakes, let’s make sure we’re clear about that. Original stories or fresh adaptations, like Sinners or The Odyssey, are more than strong enough to become big tent pole events for moviegoers. But there is still an insistence on bringing known IP back to the screen, and it isn’t going to disappear tomorrow. So, if these kinds of rehashes are a necessary evil in the current state of entertainment, why not at least try to make them count?
Tombstone is the perfect balance of a good, well-loved movie that isn’t untouchable. It’s also part of a genre that hasn’t completely permeated pop culture over the last decade or so. Unlike sci-fi films, Westerns can feel fresh again, and something like a Tombstone remake could jump-start the intrigue amongst audiences. And it’s great to think about the plethora of big stars who could actually find unique approaches to those iconic characters. No one can ever replace Val Kilmar’s Doc Holliday, but could you imagine what kind of diabolical, “I’ll be your huckleberry” line deliveries we’d get from a mustached Robert Pattinson?
Western remakes have a knack for evolving to explore the wildest era in American history through the eyes of modern ideals, oftentimes taking new approaches to the core ideas of those classic stories. We could use a new hit Western right now, and a fresh take on Tombstone is a surefire way to get one.
- Release Date
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December 25, 1993
- Runtime
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130 minutes
- Director
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George P. Cosmatos
- Writers
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Kevin Jarre
- Producers
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Bob Misiorowski, James Jacks, Sean Daniel
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