Coen Brothers The Ballad of Buster Scruggs western series detailed

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

When you read entertainment news each and every day for a living, some stories are bound to slip through the cracks. Though how this is first I'm learning of the Coen Brothers planned Western omnibus THE BALLAD OF BUSTER SCRUGGS is beyond my comprehension. 

The show has been in the pipeline for a while, now. However, today it's been confirmed that The Coen Brothers have returned to the Land of Enchantment to throw things into full gear. On Wednesday, The New Mexico Film Office confirmed that the feature-length series of Westerns will film primarily in the Santa Fe area. Production will get underway courtesy of Annapurna Pictures with The Coen Brothers set to direct.

Recently, New Mexico Film Office director, Nick Maniatis, stated, “To have filmmakers with the distinction of the Coen Brothers return for a third time is a testament to the quality of our crews, our support services, our infrastructure, our communities and our significant work to let filmmakers know they’re welcome in New Mexico."

THE BALLAD OF BUSTER SCRUGGS will be presented as a feature-length omnibus comprised of six seperate stories in the Western genre.

The first of the six is about a singing cowboy and is the title story.

The second, “Near Algodones,” is about a high-plains drifter whose own fecklessness dogs his attempts at bank robbery and cattle driving.

The third, “Meal Ticket,” follows an actor and impresario of a traveling show.

The fourth, “All Gold Canyon,” is about a prospector who happily finds a gold seam but then unhappily finds an evil encroacher.

The fifth, “The Gal Who Got Rattled,” follows two trail bosses on the Oregon Trail and a woman on the wagon train who needs the help of one of them and who might be a marriage prospect for the other.

Lastly, “The Mortal Remains,” about the five very different passengers on a stagecoach of mysterious destination.

Principal photography is expected to begin in mid-July and wrap by the end of September. Approximately 188 New Mexico crew members will participate in the Coen's project in addition to 16 New Mexico actors and 800 New Mexico background talent.

Boy howdy, you can count me in for this one! Truth be told, The Coen Brothers THE BIG LEBOWSKI is my favorite film of all-time, and I adore several of their other film projects as well. Honestly, the list goes on and on, from RAISING ARIZONA to O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU?, FARGO and beyond! Additionally, I really dig the idea of The Coen Brothers returning to the Western genre, particularly after doing such a stellar job with their rendition of TRUE GRIT.

Look for more updates on THE BALLAD OF BUSTER SCRUGGS as they happen right here.