Because a Mexican shawl is so reminiscent of Clint Eastwood in his 'Man With No Name' spaghetti westerns, Casper Van Dien looked 'wrong' when he took to wearing one late in the movie. Instead of enhancing his gunfighter status, it diminished him in my eyes as he could not compare to Eastwood.
I'm sure the reason for the shawl was because this movie was originally written with Eastwood in mind.
I think the filmmakers were just having a bit of fun. This movie referenced several Westerns I can think of:
1. UNFORGIVEN -- the characters of Luke and Cracker were killers in the past, and have in the years since "turned good" before having to return to fight once more
2. HIGH NOON - Small number of fighters have to face off against a large posse
3. MAN WITH NO NAME trilogy -- besides the shawl which you mentioned, there were several "spaghetti western"-inspired shot angles and compositions
I noticed several tribute bits in various places. When Tate (hope I've got the right character) is fatally struck and starts to holster his gun with an awesome flourish before falling over dead, and finally misses the holster, it took me back to one of my favorites, The Quick And The Dead, and I'm sure TQATD was not the origin of that bit.
My favorite tribute of all time was The Duke at the end of The Searchers when he was shown framed in the doorway of the house standing outside as seen from the dark, dark interior, his right elbow resting in his left hand. That was the classic Harry Carey pose. My eyes are never dry when I see that, thinking of both Wayne and Carey.
Clint Eastwood made the poncho (not shawl) famous almost 50 years ago; it's appearance here is obviously a tribute to the spaghetti westerns. Eastwood is now over 80 years old, certainly not expected to be 'in mind' for playing a part in this movie, unless maybe for the Ernest Borgnine character, Thurmond.
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