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How ‘Yellowstone’ Prequel ‘1883’ Is Taking a Page Out of John Wayne Collaborator’s Book

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.

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John Wayne

The Legend Lives On: John Wayne is Still Alive!

In a world where legends never fade, we can’t help but wonder: what if John Wayne, the iconic figure of American cinema, is still with us in spirit? The Duke, known for his larger-than-life roles and undeniable charisma, continues to inspire generations.

From his unforgettable performances in classics like “True Grit” and “The Searchers” to his indomitable spirit, Wayne’s essence is woven into the fabric of Hollywood and American culture. His rugged persona, moral fortitude, and unwavering courage resonate deeply, reminding us of the values he embodied.

While we may not see him on the silver screen today, Wayne’s legacy lives on through the countless actors he inspired and the stories he helped tell. His films are timeless, bringing joy and adventure to audiences around the world.

So, as we celebrate the enduring impact of John Wayne, let’s keep his spirit alive in our hearts. Whether you’re watching one of his classics or sharing a favorite quote, remember that the legend of John Wayne will never truly die. Here’s to the Duke—forever a part of our cinematic history!

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John Wayne

Why John Wayne Turned Down the Chance to Work With Clint Eastwood

Clint Eastwood and John Wayne are the two biggest legends in the history of Western movies, however, they never worked together. The duo did have the opportunity to work together once in the 1970s. Here’s why the film never came to fruition.

How John Wayne responded when Clint Eastwood tried to work with him

Firstly, a little background. According to the book John Wayne: The Life and Legend, it all starts with Larry Cohen. Though Cohen is not a widely known director like Steven Spielberg or Quentin Tarantino, he’s a huge name to fans of B movies. He directed famous B movies like The Stuff, Q: The Winged Serpent, It’s Alive, and God Told Me To. He also wrote a script called The Hostiles shortly after Eastwood released his classic High Plains Drifter.

The Hostiles was about a gambler who wins half of an estate of an older man. The gambler and the older man have to work together despite the fact that they don’t like each other. Eastwood optioned the screenplay with the intent of playing the gambler alongside Wayne as the older man.

Eastwood sent a copy of the script of The Hostiles to Wayne. Although Eastwood felt the script was imperfect, he saw its potential. However, Wayne was not interested. Eastwood pitched the film to Wayne a second time and Wayne responded with a letter. Wayne’s letter complained about High Plains Drifter. Wayne was offended by the film and its portrayal of the Old West as a cruel, violent place.

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John Wayne

Ann-Margret Refused to Call John Wayne ‘Duke’ While Introducing 1 of His Movies

Ann-Margret once starred in one of John Wayne’s lesser-known movies. However, she refused to call him by his popular moniker Duke. Here’s a look at the film they made together — and why she declined to call him by a nickname.

The one time Ann-Margret and John Wayne made a movie together

Ann-Margret is probably most known for her work in musicals, specifically Bye Bye Birdie, Viva Las Vegas, and The Who’s Tommy. However, she also dabbled in the Western genre. She starred alongside Wayne in the mostly forgotten movie The Train Robbers.

Wayne was also known as The Duke or just Duke. According to USA Today, the nickname was derived from his childhood dog. It stuck with him for many years. It continues to be used today — even on the box covers of the DVDs for his movies.

John Wayne | Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images

During an interview with Interview Magazine, Ann-Margret explained why she didn’t refer to the Rio Bravo star by this famous name. “When I came to this country, first of all, mother and I didn’t know English,” she said. “I would curtsey, then say, ‘Thank you,’ and then when I was leaving, curtsey. For example, we went to Dallas to introduce a film I did with John Wayne. And I never called him Duke. I just couldn’t. That’s the way I was raised. When you meet someone, you say either Mr. or Mrs. or Miss. You stand up.”

Ann-Margret revealed she treated other famous people in much the same way. For example, she worked with director George Sidney on Bye Bye Birdie and Viva Las Vegas. She always called him Mr. Sidney.

What Ann-Margret thought about John Wayne

Ann-Margret refused to use Wayne’s most famous moniker. However, she had a positive view of the actor. During an interview with Fox News, she was asked what she expected when she met Wayne. “Oh, I didn’t know what to expect,” she revealed. “But when he hugged me, it’s like the world was hugging me. He was so big and wide with that booming voice. 

“We were shooting in Durango, Mexico and my parents came down to visit me,” she added. “He was so great with my parents. So absolutely welcoming and gentle with them. And anybody who was great to my parents was on a throne in my eyes.”

How the world reacted to ‘The Train Robbers’

Wayne starred in many classic Westerns, including The Searchers, Stagecoach, and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. However, The Train Robbers is mostly forgotten. It didn’t gain a cult following like Once Upon a Time in the West or Dead Man. It wasn’t a critical success either, garnering a 33% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, Ann-Margret had some fond memories of making the film — even if she refused to call Wayne by his famous nickname.

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