TOMBSTONE Screenwriter Says Kevin Costner Tried to Push Movie if(typeof ez_ad_units != ‘undefined’){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],’geektyrant_com-box-3′,’ezslot_1′,112,’0′,’0′])};__ez_fad_position(‘div-gpt-ad-geektyrant_com-box-3-0’);

Tombstone is one of the most popular movies of the 90s that has continued to sustain a gigantic fan base over the decades. The star-studded cast includes Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Sam Elliott, Bill Paxton, Cabin of powers, Michael Bihn, Charlton Heston, Jason Priestley, Dana Delany, Thomas Haden Church, Billy Bob Thorton, Billy Zane, Terry O’Quinn And John Corbett, and the writing and performances are perfectly executed. The film is seen, mentioned and celebrated to this day, but was nearly stymied in the beginning.

In case you don’t remember, big star of the 90s Kevin Costner released a Tombstonefilm centered on a year later Tombstone was released, titled Wyatt Earp, and it didn’t work as well. And according to a 1993 article published by Entertainment Weekly (via /Film), Tombstonethe screenwriter, Kevin Jarresaid Kevin Costner turned down a chance to act Tombstone, and said Costner’s Earp was “an attempt to squash my picture.” He said:

“After [Kevin Costner] read the script, called and respectfully declined. She said she had a miniseries she was developing for pay-per-view about Earp’s entire life and we left it at that.”

It seems like there must be more to the story than Jarre is letting on, because if he just turned down the role and went on to do something else, I don’t think it’s that vengeful as it’s a coincidence. But that miniseries Costner was talking about was turned into three hours Wyatt Earp movie that quietly came and went. Unfortunately for Costner, it wasn’t the hit Tombstone was, but the star went on to have many great roles, including his own wildly successful western series Yellowstonecurrently in progress.