John Wayne’s co-star, Chris Mitchum, worked closely beside the Duke (a nickname Wayne went by) before his passing. In a 2019 interview, Mitchum shared all sorts of anecdotes from his time working with the legend. He even says he has John Wayne to thank for getting him a role in “Rio Lobo.”

The film ended up being Wayne’s last. However partly in thanks to his kindness, Mitchum was able to continue to get roles. While the two were working on the film “Chisum”, Wayne opened the door to an unforgettable opportunity for Mitchum. Mitchum describes how exactly it went down. “He [John Wayne] said, ‘Howard Hawks is coming down to talk to me about my next film, I’d like to introduce you to him.’ That’s how I got the part in ‘Rio Lobo.’ I went up and met with Hawks, it was about an hour meeting. He read me, then we talked awhile. Then he totally did a 180 on the character to see if I could take direction.” 

Mitchum Has John Wayne to Thank For His Role in “Rio Lobo”

Mitchum adds, “I see why he did that, ‘cause he totally changes things when you’re shooting. I did the reading again, he said ‘Can you come in in 2 days on Thursday and screen test?’ I said ‘sure.’ I actually went in for the part that Jorge Rivero ended up playing, and they switched the roles. [Hawks] was there, he’s a very hands-on guy.”

However, casting for actors now is worlds different than what Mitchum experienced in his youth. The actor shared that years later, he went in for an interview for a role. He learned quickly that the casting director didn’t really know who John Wayne was. “When you grow up with that kind of experience, where you’re interviewed by the director, and then years later you go in and [it’s different],” Mitchum explains.

Casting Looks Different These Days

 “The last interview I had…there was a chair on one side and a camera and a chair on the other side with two kids that looked younger than my children. They said ‘sit in the chair, here’s your lines.’ I said ‘okay.’ He said, ‘I’m gonna read here off camera’, and I said ‘okay.’ He says ‘Slate yourself.’ I said, ‘Slate myself?’ [He said] ‘Yeah, say ‘I’m Chris Mitchum for the part of..’ So we did that, I go through the line. He’s looking at my resume, He said, ‘Oh, you were in a couple of films with a guy named John Wayne, was he any relationship to THE John Wayne?’,” the actor shares.

“I realized, Duke [John Wayne] had died before these kids were born! I thought, ‘What am I doing here?’,” the actor laughs. He adds, “I basically just dropped out, I couldn’t deal with that kind of thing. Now, you don’t even meet the would-be second or third casting director, you send it in on the internet.”

Mitchum’s last project was his role of Harald Rosenberg in the 2018 movie “Goy.” However, his newest project has been announced. Although there is no release date set quite yet, the film is titled “Mainland to Oahu”. We can’t wait to see it!

Citing another legendary filmmaker, Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan is relying on “Old Hollywood” filmmaking for his newest epic, 1883.

“I don’t build a world with visual effects,” Sheridan begins for Entertainment Weekly. The trade just hit Yellowstone fans with an exclusive first-look at the show’s sprawling sequel, 1883, and the buzz is palpable.

Right off the bat, the Yellowstone creator doubles down on his penchant for practical effects, too. It’s something fans have come to expect through the first three seasons of his flagship show. And we can expect much of the same for its first spinoff, period-correct Western 1883.

“I go shoot these corners of the world that people haven’t seen,” Sheridan continues for EW. “The audience today is so experienced. They’ve seen so much, so to move the audience becomes more and more difficult. It’s incredibly expensive and very difficult.”

Yet it doesn’t have to be. As Sheridan cites: “We can do it as John Ford did it. When you need 50 wagons, you’re going to see 50 [real] wagons.”

As Outsiders know, the Yellowstone mastermind is citing legendary director John Ford. “Legendary” is an understatement, too. In a career spanning 1913 to 1971, Ford would direct over 140 films. But it’s his work with John Wayne that would create the Hollywood Blockbuster and change the industry forever.

‘1883’ Creator Taylor Sheridan Cites John Ford as a Driving InfluenceAs Taylor Sheridan notes, Ford was a master of utilizing practical effects. He had no choice, as special effects as we know them weren’t a thing yet. There was no relying on CGI or heavy-retouching in post. Effects could be hand-drawn and painted over film (and were to great use), sure, but if you needed 50 moving wagons in a Western, as Sheridan says, then you moved those 50 wagons across the actual West.

Much of Ford and Wayne’s influence can be felt in Yellowstone proper, too. The widely-influential Modern Western feels as close to that bygone era of filmmaking as anything we’ve seen in decades. It’s certainly the only Western, modern or not, to approach the impact of these late legends’ work. And this is exactly why Sheridan brought back Yellowstone‘s brilliant production design “trio” of production designer Cary White, set decorator Carly Curry and art director Yvonne Boudreau for 1883.

The group is responsible for Yellowstone‘s recent – and only – Emmy nominations. And each has proven themselves as much a stickler for perfection as Sheridan.

“Taylor is shooting this with 30 wagon trains, going across America,” 1883‘s Executive Producer David Glasser detailed this summer, echoing Sheridan’s distaste for relying on special effects. “The Duttons travel with other families and pick up other groups along the way. It’s like a moving city. Taylor didn’t want to do it CGI, where you could have built 10 wagon trains and with the world we’re living in today, you could have added 20… We’re taking 30 wagon trains across America, and he’s re-creating everything.”

1883’s team is building everything “top to bottom.” The way it should be, Glasser concludes.

1883 unfolds come December 19 on Paramount Network.

On Monday afternoon, Hollywood legend John Wayne’s estate once again promoted their upcoming 50th anniversary celebration of his 1971 classic western Big Jake.

Five decades ago, The Duke’s long and storied acting career was beginning to wind down as he starred in the 1971 film directed by George Sherman. Only five years later, Wayne would hang up his spurs in his final starring role in 1976’s The Shootist. It closed the book on his iconic 50-year acting career, which included features in 169 movies.

Likewise, Big Jake‘s director ended his long career behind the camera with the 1971 western. Sherman had already worked with John Wayne on multiple classic western films, but they paired up one last time. Even though critics reported mixed reviews, Big Jake raked in $7.5 million in the US alone. That may not be much by today’s standards. But for 1971, $7.5 million made it one of the most successful films of the year.

With 2021 being Big Jake‘s 50th anniversary, John Wayne’s estate has a special tribute in store. They’re reuniting some of the original cast, which includes two of The Duke’s sons – Patrick and Ethan Wayne. Patrick played James MCCandles and Ethan starred as Little Jake alongside their famous father.

In addition, another Hollywood legend Robert Mitchum’s son, Christopher Mitchum, plays the role of Michael McCandles. All three men are coming back together on Wednesday to celebrate all things Big Jake.

“Join us November 3rd for a LIVE panel celebrating the 50th anniversary of the release of Big Jake with 3 of the film’s stars; Patrick Wayne, Ethan Wayne, and Chris Mitchum! Tickets benefit the John Wayne Cancer Foundation,” John Wayne’s official account wrote.

John Wayne’s Estate Teases ‘Big Jake’ Reunion With Classic Clip of the MovieJust last week, John Wayne’s Instagram page shared another reminder of their upcoming 50th anniversary event. The account posted a classic clip from the 1971 movie as a teaser for the event.

The movie follows the McCandles family who band together to return Big Jake’s kidnapped grandson. John Wayne’s title role character is accompanied by his sons who set out to deliver the kidnappers’ ransom. Yet little do they know that the McCandles clan has no intention of actually paying the ransom without a fight.

The special event will occur in Fort Worth, Texas on Nov. 3 with a pre-reception cocktail hour. The event will also hold a live panel interview with Patrick Wayne, Ethan Wayne, and Christopher Mitchum. You can get more information and buy tickets to the 50th anniversary event here.

“‘Not hardly.’ Never underestimate Jacob McCandles… or the whole McCandles family. Join us November 3rd for the McCandles Family Reunion! A live panel featuring Patrick Wayne, Ethan Wayne, and Chris Mitchum,” John Wayne’s official Instagram account wrote.