The Brigands of Rattlecreek: Park Chan-wook’s Brutal Western Rides Again
Every so often, a long-lost Hollywood project claws its way out of development hell and reminds us why people were excited about it in the first place. The Brigands of Rattlecreek may be one of those rare cases.
The upcoming revenge Western brings together an incredible collection of talent, with acclaimed South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook (Oldboy, The Handmaiden) directing from a screenplay by S. Craig Zahler, the filmmaker behind the savage Western horror favourite Bone Tomahawk. For fans of darker, bloodier frontier stories, that combination alone should put this straight on the most wanted list.
Originally titled The Brigands of Rattleborge, Zahler’s script has been floating around Hollywood for nearly two decades after appearing on the famous “Black List” of highly regarded unproduced screenplays back in 2006. Despite attracting attention over the years, the project never quite made it in front of cameras.
Now it looks like the wait might finally be over. The story follows a small frontier settlement that comes under attack when a gang of ruthless criminals uses a violent thunderstorm as cover for a campaign of robbery and murder. Following the brutal assault, a sheriff and a doctor set out on a mission to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Or possibly something much darker. The themes feel perfectly suited to Park Chan-wook, a director who has spent much of his career examining revenge, obsession and the complicated line between justice and cruelty. From Oldboy to his acclaimed Vengeance Trilogy, Park has repeatedly explored what happens when ordinary people are consumed by extraordinary acts of violence.
The impressive cast currently attached includes Matthew McConaughey, Pedro Pascal, Austin Butler and Tang Wei, who previously worked with Park on the acclaimed mystery thriller Decision to Leave.
Writer S. Craig Zahler is no stranger to the Western genre either. His directorial debut Bone Tomahawk gained a cult following thanks to its combination of old-fashioned frontier atmosphere, strong characters and moments of unforgettable brutality.
With Park Chan-wook behind the camera, Zahler’s script providing the foundation, and a cast packed with talent, The Brigands of Rattlecreek could be one of the most intriguing Westerns to ride into cinemas in years.
No official release date has been announced, but this is definitely one worth keeping an eye on.
