Kurt Russell, best known for his roles in Westerns such as The Hateful Eight and Bone Tomahawk, remains deeply reflective about his experience in the 1993 film Tombstone. The movie, starring Russell as Wyatt Earp, remains a fan favorite and a staple of the Western genre. Despite its popularity, Russell has expressed regret that the film did not reach the heights it could have, largely due to changes in direction and script revisions after production began. This lingering dissatisfaction highlights the complex challenges behind bringing an ambitious vision to life in Hollywood.
Tombstone dramatizes historical events including the legendary Gunfight at the O.K. Corral and the Earp Vendetta Ride set in 1880s Arizona. The storyline follows Wyatt Earp and his brothers Morgan and Virgil as they settle in the town of Tombstone, Arizona, planning to benefit from their investments in gambling and saloons. However, the peace is shattered by the arrival of the violent Cowboy gang, forcing Wyatt to take up arms once again to defend the town. Though based on real episodes, the film blends fact with fiction to build its narrative.
During production, original writer and director Kevin Jarre was fired early on due to delays. He was replaced by George P. Cosmatos, a change that led to significant alterations in the cast and crew, as well as the screenplay. Russell stepped up amid this turmoil, taking on roles beyond acting by trimming and refocusing the script—particularly emphasizing the relationship between Earp and Val Kilmer’s Doc Holliday. The resulting film, while successful, strayed from Jarre’s original, more expansive vision.
At the time, Russell described his role as
a combination of star, director, producer, and rallying spirit
to Entertainment Weekly, highlighting the immense pressure he was under to keep the project moving. These forced compromises left the finished movie feeling to him like a shadow of what it could have been.
Kurt Russell Reflects on Tombstone as a Missed Masterpiece
Kurt Russell’s career as a leading Western actor dates back to his appearances on the classic television series Gunsmoke in the 1960s and 70s, solidifying his status as a major figure in the genre. Yet the tumultuous production of Tombstone might have been a disincentive to continuing in Western roles. Despite that, Russell’s passion for the genre endured.
Co-star Sam Elliott, who portrayed Virgil Earp, voiced his disappointment over the screenplay changes in the same 1993 report, saying
initially, the screenplay was one of the best I’ve ever read. If I was given the screenplay as it is now, I’d have to pass on it.
Elliott noted that Russell cut nearly 29 pages of script including crucial elements that added the connective tissue and depth to characters. Russell’s intention was to bring the film to completion rather than preserve every detail of Jarre’s original draft.
Russell himself admitted,
I don’t know if Kevin would have been able to realize the film he had in his mind,
explaining,
We might still be shooting his movie. I helped him by making sure we got the movie made. And I feel good about it. We busted our a**.
However, decades later in a 2026 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, his perspective remained conflicted. He stated he would never make peace with what happened to Tombstone, acknowledging:
“It could have been way better. It’s considered one of the great Westerns, right? It could have been considered one of the great movies. The impact of ‘Tombstone’ is very strong, and that’s nice. That’s great. But could it have been a lot better? Yes.”
The Lost “Godfather” of Westerns: What Could Have Been
Russell’s long-held regret is tied not only to the changes but to what was lost from Kevin Jarre’s original screenplay and direction. He has described the original version as something entirely different from the released film, likening it to a Western Godfather: a sweeping, deep narrative with the weight of a gangster epic.
This comparison is supported by others who experienced the production. Stephen Lang, who played Ike Clanton, referred to the film’s initial concept as
essentially ‘The Godfather’ in 1880 Arizona,
reflecting how powerful and unique Jarre’s vision was viewed by those involved.
Russell was given access to most of the footage shot by Jarre, although much was reshot after George P. Cosmatos took over. While he has the material needed to piece together the original film, Russell has explained to True West Magazine that the effort is unlikely, saying it remains undone ‘Cause I got a life.’ His current projects, such as Taylor Sheridan’s neo-Western series The Madison and Apple TV’s Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, keep him occupied, diminishing the chance of resurrecting the long-lost cut.
Nevertheless, Tombstone endures as a cult classic known for its quotable dialogue and intense storytelling. Despite its imperfections, the film’s legacy as one of the most memorable Westerns remains secure, with its what-could-have-been status adding a bittersweet layer to its history.
The ongoing interest in Russell’s reflections and the original script’s potential continues to fuel conversations among fans and film historians, keeping alive the possibility—however faint—of seeing the original vision someday.
