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Coen brothers coming here for ‘True Grit’
Looks like the mighty Coen brothers will be making their reboot of the classic 1969 John Wayne western “True Grit” in these them parts, with the shoot revving up in March.
Sources say Joel and Ethan Coen are scouring areas east of Austin, rustic, old-timey places like Elgin, Taylor and Granger (for the railroad there). They’re looking for scrub and farmland and want to be “as close to Austin as possible.”
“They are seriously, seriously looking,” we are told.
The Coens are no strangers to Austin and Texas. They made their 1984 debut “Blood Simple” in town and shot parts of “No Country for Old Men” in the state.
Matt Damon, Jeff Bridges and Josh Brolin are slated to star in the remake of the revenge tale. The original, an Oscar-winner directed by Henry Hathaway, starred Wayne, Glen Campbell, Robert Duvall and Dennis Hopper. Bridges will inhabit Wayne’s memorable role as Marshall “Rooster” Cogburn.
The Coens are also looking at Utah, Arizona and New Mexico for the film’s finale, a big shootout set in the Rockies. Evidently, Texas just can’t supply that kind of landscape.
The production will be headquartered in Austin. The film is set for a 2011 release.
The Coens, looking ‘Grit’-ty
Permalink | Comments (10) | Post your comment Categories: Austin Movies Inc.
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By CoonDawg
December 18, 2010 9:30 PM | Link to this
If the Coen Brothers mess this up they will think a thousand brick done fell on them, they will wish they were back at the Alamo, with Travis…!
By Todd Alan Smith
January 28, 2010 8:15 AM | Link to this
Jeff Bridges is the perfect choice for that role
By Terry
December 4, 2009 1:30 PM | Link to this
This is one of my top 5 favorite films. I am from Fort Smith, Arkansas, and it was always a little distracting to see the giant snow capped mountains of “Oklahoma.” They are genius, so I don’t think they will screw this up.
By Louie
December 2, 2009 8:01 AM | Link to this
Bluefalcon, it doesn’t matter where things take place in the book, it’s all about tax rebates and returns on investment. If TX and NM offer the best financial incentives to film in their states, why would they choose to film a scene in Arkansas that can be recreated in other locations? Besides, its not as if any other films faithfully utilize every actual location - none of “Moon” was actually shot in outer space, you know.
By RedFawn
December 2, 2009 12:48 AM | Link to this
Love the thought - but can’t imagine anyone able to fill the DUKE’S boots! I honestly hope it works, but can anyone think of someone that could replace John Wayne for this role and do it justice?
By Bluefalcon
December 1, 2009 10:38 PM | Link to this
I quess the Coen brothers didn’t bother reading the book, because the final shoot out took place in Indian Terr. (aka - The Red River Losers), somewhere west of Fort Smith, AR.
By JSalamo
December 1, 2009 9:52 PM | Link to this
Um, wasn’t Kim Darby in the original film, too? I thought her character, Mattie, was rather important to the story. Why did Chris Garcia fail to mention Mattie?
By RICHARD POLLEY
December 1, 2009 7:26 PM | Link to this
COEN GRITS FOR BREAKFAST? FILL YOUR PLATES YOU SONS O’ TEXAS! ROOSTER RIDES AGAIN1
By Regular_person
December 1, 2009 7:08 PM | Link to this
I call that bold talk for a one-eyed fat man.
By dude_abides
December 1, 2009 6:45 PM | Link to this
If it’s scrub and farmland they want, they shouldn’t overlook Rockdale and Milam County. I drive out there to visit a buddy of mine from time to time and it’s occurred to me that that whole area is criminally overlooked for this kind of stuff.