The long-gestating continuation of HBO's Emmy-winning western DEADWOOD from David Milch just got one more step closer to happen…by actually happening! While it's returning in the form of a feature film, it's still a return to the much-beloved show that ran for four seasons on HBO and scooped up critical praise by the bucketfull. Production is officially underway on the original film, written by creator David Milch and directed by Daniel Minahan, which picks up ten years after the show's third and final season. Twelve of the original castmembers are back, including Ian McShane (Al Swearengen), Timothy Olyphant (Seth Bullock), Molly Parker (Alma Ellsworth), Paula Malcomson (Trixie), John Hawkes (Sol Star), Anna Gunn (Martha Bullock), Dayton Callie (Charlie Utter), Brad Dourif (Doc Cochran), Robin Weigert (“Calamity” Jane Canary), William Sanderson (E.B. Farnum), Kim Dickens (Joanie Stubbs) and Gerald McRaney (George Hearst) with new cast member Jade Pettyjohn as Caroline.
Here's the synopsis:
The indelible characters of the series are reunited after 10 years to celebrate South Dakota’s statehood. Former rivalries are reignited, alliances are tested and old wounds are reopened, as all are left to navigate the inevitable changes that modernity and time have wrought.
It's interesting that HBO has chosen the feature film route for this follow up, rather than attempting a new season or even a limited series style run, much like the final seasons of Game of Thrones. It's unclear if this will debut in theaters, although HBO's other successful series, Sex and the City, made the feature film debut theatrically twice over, so there's no reason DEADWOOD couldn't do the same. Either way, the show is finally on the road and expected to make its debut in 2019, be it theatrically or on HBO (or both).
What do you think about DEADWOOD returning as a feature film instead of a series? Smart move or not enough?
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