Legendary actor Denzel Washington led a modern remake of a classic Western that once starred Hollywood icons Steve McQueen and Yul Brynner.
The Magnificent Seven, directed by Antoine Fuqua, reimagined John Sturges’ 1960 Western of the same name. The original starred Brynner, McQueen, Charles Bronson, James Coburn and Eli Wallach.
The classic was included among Town & Country’s picks for the greatest Western movies ever made. It adapted Japanese director Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai but reworked its story for the American Old West.
The original film’s production became known for tension between Brynner and McQueen. Brynner was already famous at the time, while McQueen was still building the career that would eventually make him one of Hollywood’s biggest names.
During filming, McQueen reportedly became frustrated with having less dialogue than Brynner and competed for attention. The movie struggled in North American theaters, but it became a commercial success overseas, especially in Europe.
The film’s success led to three sequels and eventually a remake. More than five decades later, the story returned to theaters in a modern adaptation.
Legendary Actor Denzel Washington Leads Remake of Steve McQueen Classic to Historic Box Office Heights
The 2016 film follows the residents of a small farming town called Rose Creek, who face destruction from a ruthless mining industrialist named Bartholomew Bogue, played by Peter Sarsgaard.
Led by vengeful widow Emma Cullen, played by Haley Bennett, the townspeople recruit seven outlaws and mercenaries to defend their community. Washington stars as Sam Chisolm, a warrant officer and bounty hunter whom Cullen hires to lead the group. He then recruits gambler and gunfighter Josh Faraday, portrayed by Chris Pratt.
The group also includes Civil War sharpshooter Goodnight Robicheaux, portrayed by Ethan Hawke. His loyal companion, Billy Rocks, is a skilled assassin played by Lee Byung-hun.
Vincent D’Onofrio plays eccentric mountain man Jack Horne, while Manuel Garcia-Rulfo portrays Mexican outlaw Vasquez. Martin Sensmeier plays Red Harvest, a Comanche warrior who completes the group. Together, the seven gunfighters prepare to defend Rose Creek against Bogue and his forces.
The $90 million remake made a strong debut when it opened in North American theaters in September 2016. The film earned $35 million during its opening weekend and ranked No. 1 at the domestic box office.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the $35 million debut was among the top Western openings of all time. The film went on to gross $93.4 million domestically and $162.3 million worldwide.
Former Sony worldwide president of marketing and distribution Josh Greenstein credited Washington and Pratt’s star power as part of the film’s appeal.
“It’s great to have a movie with Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt in it. They are proven stars and just so winning, especially together,” Greenstein told the entertainment outlet.
from Men's Journal https://ift.tt/ANbTLqi
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