Kurt Russell’s turn as Wyatt Earp in Tombstone is one of his most defining performances, but the 1993 Western almost featured a very different leading man. While the film has become something of a classic, Tombstone’s production was fraught. The film’s acclaimed screenplay first grabbed the attention of Kevin Costner, who later left to mount a rival biopic of Wyatt Earp that focused on his whole life, and not just his time in the titular boomtown. Costner would also use his star power to warn other studios off financing Tombstone following his exit.
This didn’t deter Russell, however, who fell in love with the story and convinced Disney to distribute the film. Russell also became a ghost director on the movie, when original helmer Kevin Jarre (who also penned the screenplay) was fired. Not wanting the full responsibility of directing in addition to starring, Russell worked through credited director George P. Cosmatos to bring the project to life. Tombstone’s moving ending features some of the best work of Russell and co-star Val Kilmer’s careers, though it could have featured two different actors in their place instead.
Tombstone Could Have Starred Richard Gere As Wyatt Earp
Part of the condition for getting Tombstone financed was that Willem Dafoe – who had been cast as Doc Holliday – be replaced by a bigger name in Kilmer. While under most conditions this would have been a huge creative compromise, it actually worked in the movie’s favor. Kilmer’s performance is one of his best, with his Doc being charming, hilarious and heartbreaking. Gearing up for production, there was almost a late-minute change in leading men too. The movie’s producer asked what Russell would think about Richard Gere playing Wyatt Earp instead, with the latter coming off the success of films like Pretty Woman at the time.
How Richard Gere’s Tombstone Casting Would Have Changed Kurt Russell’s Role
Russell recounted this in a 2006 interview with True West, where he also revealed that if Gere had played Earp, he would have played Doc Holliday instead. Since the movie was a couple of weeks away from filming and he was already preoccupied with prep, Russell rejected the notion, believing they should focus on what they had. The actor seemed amused by the concept in hindsight and wonders how the film might have turned out with Gere as Earp and Dafoe as Holliday. Even with the same script, that combination would have made for a very different film.
Gere as Wyatt Earp is an intriguing concept, and while Russell’s take often keeps a cool head – such as Earp’s tense encounter with Billy Bob Thornton’s wannabe tough guy – he also has volcanic bursts of anger and rage. Gere has fewer action roles than Russell, and it’s tricky to picture him pulling off these scenes as effectively. This might have had the knock-on effect of making Earp’s scenes with Josephine (Dana Delany) feel more romantic and emotional, however. Gere’s a fine performer and likely would have done the role justice, Russell was just a much better fit for Tombstone.