Michael Biehn Shatters Myths About Kurt Russell’s Role in Tombstone’s Direction

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As a die-hard Western movie enthusiast, I can’t help but fondly remember “Tombstone” as one of the most captivating modern-day Western films ever made, although it leans more towards crowd-pleasing than deep genre exploration. Released back in 1993, this movie was a standout among two Wyatt Earp-centric films that graced the silver screen within a year of each other. The following year saw Kevin Costner’s more somber Western take center stage. In “Tombstone,” I found myself captivated by Kurt Russell‘s portrayal of Wyatt Earp, as the story unfolds with him and his brothers settling in Tombstone, Arizona, initially intending to retire. However, their peaceful plans are soon upended when they find themselves entangled in a perilous predicament involving a notorious gang known as the Cowboys.

It’s astonishing how well-loved the movie Tombstone remains, considering the tumultuous events behind its production. Val Kilmer, who portrayed the witty Doc Holiday, attributed the film’s success to Kurt Russell, despite the upheaval caused by the frequent changes in the director role. Some viewers speculated that Russell was both directing and acting in the movie, but Michael Biehn, who played Johnny Ringo, clarified that this wasn’t the case.

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In a conversation on Michael Rosenbaum’s “Inside Of You” podcast, I found myself reminiscing with Michael Biehn about the classic Western film, “Tombstone.” We delved into a topic that the late Val Kilmer had brought up during his time on set. Specifically, we discussed the unexpected changes in the directorial team following the studio’s decision to dismiss the original director.

Val Kilmer had shared some insights about how George P. Cosmatos was brought in with minimal preparation, replacing screenwriter Kevin Jarre who had filmed approximately five weeks of footage that ultimately went unused after being discarded by the studio.

In his absence, Kevin Jarre, and with George P. Cosmatos being too busy, Val Kilmer stated that Kurt Russell took on tasks behind the scenes. “Kurt willingly relinquished his own role and exertion to focus on storytelling,” Kilmer said (via THR). “I hold Kurt in high regard because he essentially sacrificed a significant amount of energy that would have been dedicated to his character, to ensure the success of the film.

Michael Biehn claims that while Kurt Russell may not have directly contributed much as a director, he played a significant role in ensuring the film’s completion and its ultimate success.

[Tombstone] was helmed not by a single director, but by a committee. George Cosmatos stepped in to replace Kevin Jarre, who had filmed for five weeks, only for everything he shot to be discarded. Afterward, Cosmatos took the reins, showing a strong visual flair. Filming continued for another six weeks, after which post-production began… The final cut was expertly edited.

Michael Biehn Explains How Kurt Russell Held The Movie Together

Michael Biehn Says Kurt Russell Kept Everyone On The Same Page

Michael Beihn asserted that Kurt Russell did not contribute to the direction or editing of the film, a statement echoed by Kilmer as well. According to Biehn, Russell was occupied with his next project, Stargate, during the editing phase of Tombstone. However, Biehn acknowledged that Russell played an influential role in maintaining consistency among the team and had a significant impact on what remained from the original script. He further clarified that aside from aesthetic elements, Cosmotos had minimal involvement in directing the movie.

“Kurt Russell played a crucial role in launching the film. Without him, I wouldn’t have taken on the character of Johnny Ringo… The script was fantastic. Everyone contributed to it… As Val Kilmer put it, both Val Kilmer and Kurt Russell were responsible for deciding which scenes would make it into the movie and which ones wouldn’t.

In his own words, Biehn didn’t hold back. He expressed that George Cosmatos was not well-regarded, stating he was appointed and generally disliked. This, according to Biehn, is a fact. Throughout the filming process, Biehn claimed that Cosmatos never addressed him. Furthermore, Biehn felt strongly about Cosmatos’ behavior towards his colleagues. After witnessing such conduct, Biehn recalled an instance where the director approached him and Biehn retorted with, “‘Go to hell.’ Those were the only five words I ever exchanged with him on set.

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I initially anticipated the original screenplay to unfold into a captivating two-and-a-half-hour Western masterpiece. However, what emerged was something different yet equally triumphant – a more universally appealing Hollywood production. The final product proved to be a blockbuster hit, defying all doubts surrounding the director’s role. With a staggering $73.2 million gross on a $25 million budget and an impressive 93% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Tombstone has since earned its place as a cult classic in cinematic history.

Sources: Inside of You, THR

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2025-05-25 01:38