Kurt Russell's Role in Saving 'Tombstone' from Disaster: Here's How He Did It

‘Tombstone’ is often hailed as one of the finest Westerns ever made, yet the journey to its successful completion was anything but smooth. The film faced several challenges during production, including Kevin Costner, who had initially turned down a role in ‘Tombstone’, launching his own competing Western, ‘Wyatt Earp’. This rivalry made studios hesitant to back the film. A significant hurdle arose when the original writer-director, Kevin Jarre, became overwhelmed by his dual responsibilities and stepped down. George P. Cosmatos subsequently took over, which led to further complications; Cosmatos’s leadership reportedly alienated many on set, including Michael Biehn, who almost exited the project due to concerns about Cosmatos's grasp of the screenplay.

However, Val Kilmer credited Kurt Russell with recognizing and valuing Jarre's original work. Russell was pivotal in shaping the film's narrative, helping to refine the story into its final form. 

Despite the myth that Russell directed the film, he clarified in a GQ interview that filmmaking is inherently collaborative. Biehn confirmed that Russell was instrumental in getting the movie off the ground but asserted that it was indeed directed by Cosmatos. One of the major challenges with Jarre's screenplay was its sprawling nature, which could not fit the production's timeline. Russell and Kilmer negotiated with Cosmatos to streamline the script while focusing on the dynamic between Wyatt Earp (played by Russell) and Doc Holliday (played by Kilmer).

This concentrated approach enhanced the emotional depth of key scenes, such as the poignant exchange between Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp during a climactic showdown with Ringo. Russell's adept storytelling not only weathered the film's tumultuous production but also created a cohesive narrative amid cast tensions and multiple crew departures. 

Image Courtesy: Screen Rant

Kilmer highlighted Russell's remarkable energy and clarity in navigating the chaotic environment, which ultimately helped shape ‘Tombstone’ into a celebrated cinematic achievement. In a darkly humorous twist, after filming wrapped, Russell gifted Kilmer a plot of land—a fittingly amusing token for someone credited with rescuing a major Hollywood project.

–Farheen Ali