So the Coen Brothers' previously announced feature-length Western onibus series THE BALLAD OF BUSTER SCRUBBS has got its cast. Tim Blake Nelson leads the series as the eponymous Buster Scruggs, alongside hopeful co-stars James Franco, Zoe Kazan, Tyne Daly, Stephen Root and Ralph Ineson. Right now deals are being finalized.
According to the Albuquerque Journal (via The Tracking Board), here are the character descriptions:
“The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs” follows a singing cowboy. The Tracking Board has learned that Tim Blake Nelson will play the title character.
“Near Algodones” is about a high-plains drifter whose own fecklessness dogs his attempts at bank robbery and cattle driving. We hear James Franco, Stephen Root and Ralph Ineson (The Witch) will star in this one.
“Meal Ticket” follows an actor and impresario of a traveling show.
“All Gold Canyon” is about a prospector who happily finds a gold seam but then unhappily finds an evil encroacher.
“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. We hear Zoe Kazan will play the titular “gal.” Her publicist did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
“The Mortal Remains” follows five very different passengers on a stagecoach of mysterious destination. We hear Tyne Daly will star in this one.
This sounds fun. The Coen Brothers did a great job with their TRUE GRIT remake, and even many of their other films had Western influences, like RAISING ARIZONA and NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN. So this should be something special.
I'm excited for this project. I don't think the Coen Brothers have ever done a straight