Matt Damon & Josh Brolin will show TRUE GRIT for the Coens?

By Matt Holmes / June 25, 2011

Coen Brothers adaptation of Charles Potter's 1968 novel True Grit, a property already firmly established in the Western cannon for it's superb late 60s movie that featured an eye patched John Wayne in his only Oscar winning role, is an intriguing project, probably the most intriguing they've ever set out to make. The revenge Western material is so up the Coens alley, it's tailor made for them in so many ways, yet I can't yet envision this tale being told without John Wayne. Maybe once we get some stills, posters, trailers etc. and I've had more time to think about Jeff Bridges as the lead, I will start to feel more comfortable with the idea of this remake. My negativity certainly isn't down to the fact I don't think the Coens are capable of making a killer movie out of this story and they've certainly impressed with their casting. Last month they hired Jeff Bridges to play the stubborn and world weary U.S. Marshal Reuben J. 'Rooster' Cogburn, a drunk who helps a 14-year old girl track down her father's killer in hostile Indian territory. Now comes word out of Variety that Matt Damon is in talks to play the lawman/texas ranger who later in the tale helps Coburn (played by Glen Campbell in the original) and Josh Brolin has been offered the role of the murderous villain. For Brolin, the casting is particularly interesting as he was ruthlessly tracked down by one of cinema's great villains in The Coens 2007 Best Picture winner No Country For Old Men. This is kind of role reversal for him but he makes a great villain, so it's good casting. True Grit is a tale that lends itself to great supporting characters and there's still a few more roles to fill, including outlaws played by Robert Duvall and Dennis Hopper in the original film. Crucially the role of the 14 year old girl whose father's murder sets of the catalyst of the film's event is also currently vacant.

Production is picking up the pace and shooting should be underway come March for a late 2010 release from Paramount. This is an Oscar contender for the 2011 showdown and quite honestly, with this kind of talent, it could take a clean sweep. But let's not get ahead of ourselves shall we?