MovieChat Forums > Have Gun - Will Travel (1957) Discussion > HGWT Reboot May Be On the Horizon!

HGWT Reboot May Be On the Horizon!

posted 12 years ago by lexyladyjax
24 replies | jump to latest

Discovered this to my surprise and thought I'd share it with you folks:

David Mamet To Write CBS Reboot Of 'Have Gun - Will Travel'

Since CBS cancelled his series “The Unit” in 2009, David Mamet hasn’t had a lot brewing on the small or big screen -- his last feature-length film was the 2008 MMA drama “Redbelt.” But the acclaimed playwright has some new television work in the pipeline in the form of a reboot of the classic western series “Have Gun - Will Travel.”

There’s been talk about a reboot of the 1957 CBS series before, with one of the stranger takes being an Eminem-starring film set in the modern day, but it looks like the network was impressed enough by Mamet's pitch that they’ve put the project into development, with Mamet to write it and possibly helm the pilot. The original series followed Paladin, a Civil War veteran and top-notch gunfighter who becomes a “gun for hire” and scours the west looking for situations that required his particular expertise. He “preferred to settle problems without violence but stood his ground when provoked.”
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Here's the link:

http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/david-mamet-to-write-cbs-reboot-of-have-gun-will-travel-20120822

[–] lkroger 12 years ago

It looks pretty much like the pilot is going to happen. Mamet has the rights, and is working on the script. That will likely result in a pilot getting made, with Mamet directing, unless CBS gets cold feet. Beyond that, depending on how the pilot works out, a series may follow.

[–] chesterprynne 12 years ago

Who would make a good Paladin in your opinion? Certain characters are synonymous with the actor and leave an indelible impression. For example, James Arness, Raymond Burr, and Richard Boone as Marshal Dillon, Perry Mason, and Paladin, respectively. Sure they can recast, but it's just not the same. Remember when they had the new Perry Mason series in the '70s? People couldn't get Raymond Burr out of their minds, he was Perry Mason. Maybe, the saving grace is that HGWT has not been on network television for so long that there would be a new audience that would be receptive to it. If CBS doesn't go for it, perhaps cable television will. It's too bad westerns cable channels don't produce original programming.

[–] lkroger 12 years ago

Paladin is an odd hybrid of smart guy and tough guy. Got to hit just the right note; otherwise it will fall flat. I'm sure Mamet has a vision, and I'd assume he has someone in mind, but what or who is anyone's guess.

I'm guessing that Mamet will bring Ricky Jay into this project, and there will be a gaming angle.

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] lexyladyjax 12 years ago

This is embarrassing to admit but I'm unfamiliar with Ricky Jay, Hell on Wheels, Deadwood or other trashy television.

There was a great deal of implied sex in HGWT. Paladin scored with many women. In most episodes he had a tryst with one woman or another. They were women who lived at the Carlton Hotel or ladies in society. He left San Francisco to avoid being called out in a duel by the uncle of one young lady, at her request. The role of that particular young lady was played by Dyan Cannon. Is that the sort of thing to which you refer?

Paladin was in love once. June Lockhart was Dr Phyllis Thackeray. They were unable to be together because of her career as a physician and Paladin's role as a hero for hire. Paladin beat a man nearly to death because he hurt Dr Thackeray. There were two episodes featuring June Lockhart. They were great. She's still a beauty, have you seen her lately?

Whatever may come, I for one am grateful the powers that be (TBTB) are even considering bringing HGWT back. With a bit of luck and some common sense, we just might get something on TV worth watching. I don't watch any reality television. Television is an escape for me and I'm uninterested in seeing people acting out their worse nature. That's available online in the news every day fresh. Adam Baldwin, Nathan Fillion or some unknown would be great in the role of Paladin.

[–] dstich87 12 years ago

HGWT was before my time (born in 81) but have watched most if not all the series thanks to Encore Westerns (same with Maverick) and it is a phenomenal series at that.

I think Paladin is one of the most convincing complex heroes of all time. He didn't win every fight; he wasn't the fastest draw (fast enough), and though he is the good guy, he understood that determining the right course of action took considerable thought. Sometimes Paladin finds himself in the wrong and has the moral fortitude to judge his own actions.

The first episode I ever watched was Paladin read about a Teacher who's history of the civil war contained an event that locals didn't want taught (because it painted the North/South - can't remember which - in a poor light). Paladin approached the teacher and talked about a negative event by the other side, and the teacher stated she taught that as well so Paladin decided to defend her. Paladin went around town trying to find supporters to what appeared to be no avail, and when those opposing the teacher tried to stop here, Paladin stood up and took a beating, but locals intervene.

It wasn't simply shooting a bad guy, far from it. Even today, there are people willing to re-write history and other people not willing to take a stand for what is right (let alone put their life on the line like Paladin).

I do not know if Mamet is able to recapture the essence of Paladin, which I don't think can be improved upon, but I will await the final product before judgement.

[–] lexyladyjax 12 years ago

Yes. It was very nearly before my time as well. One of my earliest memories and few recollections of my paternal grandmother is her explaining the 5th season episode MY BROTHER'S KEEPER. Mattie Lee Davis Brewer had run a large boarding house for many years herself and she explained to me the motivations behind the free lunch at the saloon. She explained that all the foods were salty and promoted drinking more beer by the bar patrons. I thought she was very smart to know that.

I do so hope that Paladin returns to us again. He was such an interesting character.

[–] Noirkiss_3 11 years ago

Are you kidding? Deadwood is one of the best westerns ever! I'd like to see the reboot as noirish dark. Kinda of similar to how the Batman remakes had a serious heavier tone. This is way better than when Travolta owned the rights and wanted to play Palladin. Casting will be tough though.

When there are two, one betrays-Jean-Pierre Melville

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] Noirkiss_3 11 years ago

Well if you are asking do I find it interesting to see a more historical portrayal then yes, yes I do. The language in Deadwood is very purposeful. The mix of flowery verbiage with swearing is how they talked. It's written with intent. I love the old stuff as well ie.Anthony Mann, Howard Hawks and John Ford. But I am an adult and don't need all my entertainment tailored to children or those that are in denial about the hard ugly life that was every day exsistance in a mining camp.

When there are two, one betrays-Jean-Pierre Melville

[–] Noirkiss_3 11 years ago

Forgot to address one other thing. I'm an artist and designer. I use my imagination and intellect to make a very good living. I'm not sure what TV for adults and imagination have to do with eachother. With that in mind the cannon of most European and American literature contains huge passages of the lurid, the depraved, and the ugly.

When there are two, one betrays-Jean-Pierre Melville

[–] PattyGJones 12 years ago

Lexy, what do you think about our mutually-admired Joseph Gordon-Levitt? If there is ever going to be a HGWT reboot that isn't trash, the star would have to be unique and unlike any of the standard TV hero types. Joe may be a bit young for the role, but with facial hair and make-up could possibly be made to look mature enough. Given HGWT being set in or around 1875, Paladin would be in his mid-thirties, which Joe is (though he looks younger). He certainly has the acting chops. Sorry, but I just can't go with you on the Nathan Fillion suggestion.

"I'm only in Show Biz by injection"

[–] lexyladyjax 12 years ago

Fillion already has an incredibly successful series, my friend. Of course, in CASTLE one doesn't see his dramatic side. He can bring it, believe me. I wonder where my spare copies of SERENITY are...I should send you one.

JGL can do anything. He's not above average height but he certainly has the acting chops. I'm not certain he'd want to go back to the daily grind of a television series now that he's broken into film but if it were made attractive enough, who knows?

From what I read, if it goes again it's likely to be set in current times rather than post Civil War era. That was the original idea for HGWT. That's apropos, don't you think?

[–] barjo4 11 years ago

For true Have Gun Will Travel fans, there was another Paladin : John Dehner who portrayed him on the radio version, an oddity because this program went from television to radio instead of in the reverse, as in Gunsmoke. Dehner had a couple of guest bits on the TV show.

I am sadly (or perhaps not so sadly)unfamiliar with any of today's male actors who would fit as Paladin unless the producers want to morph the character into something less masculine. Richard Boone's Paladin worked well in the 1950s but today he might be run out of town by people who want to turn him into something else.

[–] Jack_LesCamela 11 years ago

I am sadly (or perhaps not so sadly)unfamiliar with any of today's male actors who would fit as Paladin unless the producers want to morph the character into something less masculine. Richard Boone's Paladin worked well in the 1950s but today he might be run out of town by people who want to turn him into something else.

Ideally it should be an actor in his forties. Richard Boone was about 41 when HGWT started, but since most actors go through far less hard living these days you almost have to cast mid/late forties now --that's if you're looking for a similar experienced man of action feel for the character/series.

Other than looking at unknowns or actors primarily known for playing heavies, the only actor springing immediately to mind who might play him is Ben Browder. He's a big man and might be very convincing in the role.

"It's a strange world. Let's keep it that way."

[–] lexyladyjax 11 years ago

Ben Browder. Can he ride a horse? Never mind, I know it won't be a western now. He's certainly tall enough, he has the blue eyes, he's been to college... OK, works for me...

FARSCAPE fans, here we come!

Faster would be better!

[–] lexyladyjax 11 years ago

Update: Of course Ben Browder can ride a horse! John Crighton can do anything a red-blooded American boy can do, including ride a horse. At the very least he's athletic and he could learn to do.

Richard Boone took lessons from Ben Johnson and improved his riding. Dobe Carey wrote that Boone was a 7 out of 10 in riding. Not bad praise from a man who said most actors in Hollywood couldn't ride worth a darn.

Some things you just can't ride around...

[–] JoeN678 11 years ago

I admit I didn't care much for Ben Browder on Farscape or Stargate SG-1. (Noticed that Claudia Black ended up there as well.) I did see Ben in a Doctor Who episode from last season where he played the sheriff of a town named Mercy which was being threatened by an android bounty hunter, and he was very good in it. Perhaps it's because he pretty much had to carry the show on Farscape and Stargate, but on Doctor Who he had a character role and did a good job with it.

OK, the real reason: About the same time Farscape began, SciFi acquired Mystery Science Theater 3000 for its last 3 seasons of new shows, and the SciFi website came up with a little diversion called "Capture This!". They posted a freeze frame of whatever SciFi was broadcasting at the time and invited viewers to post their own MST-esque quips on the freezes, and then posted pages of recent freezes and comments. Waaaay too many of the freezes caught Ben in rather embarrassing facial expressions which badly exaggerated his "not the brightest bulb on the tree" appearance, but which were comedy gold to us rank-amateur Crows and Servos. Yes, it was childish, but at the time it was fun. It took me a while to get past that and accept Ben for the fine actor that he is. For the record, we slammed Jonathan Brandis from Sealab a lot more than we skewered Ben, and deservedly so.

Having said all that, Ben would not be my choice for Paladin. I'm trying to think who in today's roster of "movie stars" could pull it off, and I'm stumped.

[–] SallyBaughn 11 years ago

Even though I thought the captain of Serenity was nice eye candy, the star of Castle has nearly doubled in bulk since those days on Serenity. IMO the only Richard Boone character Fillion should play would be Hec Ramsey.

I've seen another actor who may be worthy of consideration for the role of Paladin. His name is James Patrick Stuart, he's 43 and seems to have the acting chops to play serious parts and (more importantly IMO) both broad and subtle comedic parts. He is a bit slim, but we've all seen actors "beef up" for really good parts.

In the end, as peace63 wrote: "A reboot that maintained the philosophy and attitude of the original series would be awesome."

[–] PattyGJones 11 years ago

Thanks, Sally. I so rarely disagree with lexyladyjax (possibly the world's greatest Richard Boone expert), but I will never see Nathan Fillion as Paladin.

I'm only in Show Biz by injection

[–] lexyladyjax 11 years ago

Wait...

Some things you just can't ride around...

[–] Jack_LesCamela 11 years ago

Thanks, Sally. I so rarely disagree with lexyladyjax (possibly the world's greatest Richard Boone expert), but I will never see Nathan Fillion as Paladin.

I love FIREFLY but I don't see Fillion as Paladin either. He gives off more of a James Garner feel to me.

http://www.newmoondesigns.net/troll-doctrine/

[–] Noirkiss_3 11 years ago

Josh Brolin would be good. Masculine not pretty, not as ugly as Boone.

When there are two, one betrays-Jean-Pierre Melville

[–] lexyladyjax 11 years ago

Richard Boone was ruggedly handsome. He was the light heavyweight champion boxer in the Navy for 2 years. His physique was wonderful. He had more women flocking to his set* than Tony Curtis** when he was filming.

Richard Boone was a real man.

*TV Guide

**Father of Jamie Lee Curtis

'Life's hard. It's harder for stupid people.' John Wayne.