Sergio Leone’s Classic Western ‘A Fistful of Dollars’ to be Remade
Producers behind the likes of ‘The Departed’ and ‘300’ are putting a team together to remake the movie, which helped launch Clint Eastwood’s acting career.
Clint Eastwood in 'A Fistful of Dollars'. Photo: Constantin Film.
Preview:
- ‘A Fistful of Dollars’ is being targeted for a remake.
- The 1964 movie effectively kicked off the Spaghetti Western genre.
- No writer or cast is attached to the new movie yet.
Targeting a classic movie for a remake can often seem like the third rail of filmmaking –– unless you end up with a nailed-on new work of art, you’re usually swamped with negative reactions.
Yet that concern apparently isn’t stopping Euro Gang Entertainment, the company founded by veteran producers Gianni Nunnari and Simon Horsman, who, it’s worth noting, did manage to convince Martin Scorsese to turn acclaimed Hong Kong crime thriller ‘Infernal Affairs’ into ‘The Departed’, winning four Oscars along the way).
Euro Gang is working alongside Italian producer Enzo Sisti in crafting a new version of Sergio Leone’s 1964 Western ‘A Fistful of Dollars’, which starred Clint Eastwood.
A Fistful of Dollars
What’s the Story of ‘A Fistful of Dollars’?
Clint Eastwood in 'A Fistful of Dollars'. Photo: Constantin Film.
Wandering gunfighter Joe (Eastwood) arrives in the Mexican village of San Miguel in the midst of a power struggle among sheriff John Baxter (Wolfgang Lukschy) and the three Rojo brothers.
When a regiment of Mexican soldiers bearing gold is waylaid by the Rojo brothers, Joe is hired by Esteban (Sieghardt Rupp) to join the gang, but he plays one side against the other.
The movie is itself a remake –– of ‘Yojimbo’, which led to a lawsuit from Japanese production company Toho –– but was successful enough that it spawned a trilogy, including ‘For a Few Dollars More’ and ‘The Good the Bad and the Ugly’.
Right now, the producers have not revealed details of a creative team for the movie, which means we don’t know who is writing, directing or leading the cast.
Has Anyone Else Tried to Tackle ‘A Fistful of Dollars’?
Clint Eastwood in 'A Fistful of Dollars'. Photo: Constantin Film.
Mark Gordon’s company announced an attempt to turn the story into a TV series back in 2020, with ‘Game of Thrones’ writer Bryan Cogman in talks to write the script.
Nothing came of that effort and the rights clearly lapsed, which explains the new movie plan.
‘A Fistful of Dollars’ Remake: The Producers Talk
Clint Eastwood in 'A Fistful of Dollars'. Photo: Constantin Film.
This is the statement Enzo Sisti sent to Deadline:
“I am delighted to partner with Gianni again having just worked with him on ‘Those About to Die’, and with Simon on the remake of this classic film, which created a whole new sub-genre in film spawning over 500 European westerns.”
This was the release from Nunnari and Horsman:
“Enzo is one of the most experienced producers in the film business, and we are fortunate to call him our partner on this incredible project.
Clint Eastwood in 'A Fistful of Dollars'. Photo: Constantin Film.
Other Movies Similar to ‘A Fistful of Dollars':
- 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly' (1967)
- 'For a Few Dollars More' (1967)
- 'Coogan's Bluff' (1968)
- 'Hang 'em High' (1968)
- 'Paint Your Wagon' (1969)
- ‘Two Mules for Sister Sara' (1970)
- 'The Beguiled' (1971)
- 'Joe Kidd' (1972)
- 'High Plains Drifter' (1973)
- 'The Outlaw Josey Wales' (1976)
- 'Pale Rider' (1985)
- 'Unforgiven' (1992)
Buy 'A Fistful of Dollars' Movies on Amazon
