Entertainment · Film · 1 day ago
Kurt Russell said Kevin Costner tried to block Tombstone’s release
In 1993, two films told stories about Wyatt Earp, the lawman linked to the gunfight at the OK Corral.
Kevin Costner starred in and helped produce Wyatt Earp, while Kurt Russell led the cast of Tombstone, alongside Val Kilmer, Sam Elliott and Bill Paxton.
Russell later said Costner used his influence to make it harder for Tombstone to find a distributor, leaving Buena Vista as its only option.
That claim comes from Russell’s account in a 2006 interview.
Tombstone also faced a director change during filming and had trouble finding costumes because western outfits had already been used for Wyatt Earp.
The two films took different approaches: Tombstone focused on the events and characters around the OK Corral, while Costner’s film covered more of Earp’s life.
The story says US audiences ultimately favored Tombstone, but it gives no further details about what happened next.
Kurt Russell said Kevin Costner used his influence to make it difficult for Tombstone to find a distributor.
According to Russell, Buena Vista was the only distributor that would release the film.
The two westerns both told the story of Wyatt Earp, with Costner starring in and producing Wyatt Earp.
Tombstone also faced production difficulties, including a director change and a shortage of available western costumes.
Russell said he took charge of the film behind the scenes but did not want his name credited as director.
- Who
- Kurt Russell said Kevin Costner tried to obstruct Tombstone’s release.
- What
- Russell said Costner blocked the film’s distribution options except for Buena Vista.
- When
- The rival films were being prepared in 1993. Russell made the account in a 2006 interview with True West.
- Where
- Hollywood.
- Why
- The films competed to tell the story of Wyatt Earp; Russell said Costner used his influence to help his own project.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
We needed a ghost director. They wanted me to take the reins of the film. I said: ‘I’ll do it, but I don’t want my name to appear’
I called Sly and told him I needed a guy. Sly had done the same thing on Rambo 2, with George.
Tombstone and Kevin Costner’s Wyatt Earp were competing projects about the same historical figure.
Tombstone producers replaced director Kevin Jarre with George Pan Cosmatos.
Russell discussed the production and distribution difficulties in an interview with True West.
- Rival film
- Wyatt Earp, starring and produced by Kevin Costner
- Tombstone distributor
- Buena Vista was the only option Russell said remained
- Tombstone cast
- Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Sam Elliott and Bill Paxton
- Director change
- George Pan Cosmatos replaced Kevin Jarre
- Costume shortage
- Hollywood’s available western costumes had been used for Wyatt Earp
Sources
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