Kurt Russell, known for his extensive film career and iconic Western roles, continues to struggle with his feelings about the film Tombstone. Despite its status as a beloved Western classic, Russell’s disappointment stems from what he perceives as the movie’s unrealized potential. His reflections came during a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter while promoting the Apple TV series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.
The Story Behind the Film’s Challenges and Unrealized Potential
Russell’s career began as a child actor but gained momentum with standout performances like the Emmy-nominated role in the 1979 TV movie Elvis and the cult favorite Escape from New York. Later, he became recognized in the Western genre through films such as The Hateful Eight, Bone Tomahawk, and most notably Tombstone. Despite the film’s acclaim and its solid cast—including Val Kilmer, Sam Elliott, and Bill Paxton—Russell says the final product did not match the promise of the screenplay.
“That’s because of the screenplay. The movie is not as good as the screenplay,”
Russell explained.
“I’ll never make peace with that. It could have been way better.”
He emphasized that, beyond its place as a respected Western, the film might have stood out among all movies if not for budgetary struggles and directorial complications.
“It’s considered one of the great Westerns, right? It could have been considered one of the great movies.”
Film Production Hurdles Affected the Outcome
Russell pointed to financial mismanagement and a change in directorial leadership as major factors that hampered the film’s quality.
“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,”
he said. Despite these setbacks, he acknowledged the strong influence the film has had.
“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.”
Historical Context and Enduring Legacy of Tombstone
Directed by George P. Cosmatos and penned by Kevin Jarre, Tombstone loosely depicts the true story of Wyatt Earp (portrayed by Russell), who reunites with his brothers (Sam Elliott and Bill Paxton) and Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer). Planning to retire, Earp is drawn back into conflict with the outlaw gang known as The Cowboys. The movie holds a 76% Tomatometer and a 93% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, reflecting ongoing popularity despite its flaws.
While audiences continue to celebrate Tombstone for its action sequences and strong performances, Russell’s intimate knowledge of the original script means he views the film through the lens of what was lost to production challenges. This creates a tension between public appreciation and his own dissatisfaction.
Current Work and Lasting Association with Westerns
Russell is now focused on promoting Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, a science-fiction series on Apple TV+, which marks its second season and features his son Wyatt Russell. Still, despite his varied projects, a significant part of Russell’s legacy remains tied to Western films like Tombstone, a movie he wishes had fully realized its potential to rank among cinema’s best.
