Casting
I foresee 3 essential roles in this film. The 'Arizona Ranger' and 'Texas Red' are the obvious two, as they are the driving character conflict in the song, but there is a third faction of people, the townsfolk af Agua Fria.
True to the song and it's roots, I would likely not look to interfere with the established 'canon' genders of The Arizona Ranger or Texas Red. To represent the townsfolk, and to better diversify the cast of what would be an otherwise traditionally masculine American-Western film, I would look to introduce a female character.
This woman will provide and audience with context and investment in the fate of the town of Agua Fria, and as a character of relatable empathy that an audience can vicariously observe the conflict of the protagonist and antagonist. I don't want a doe-eyed object to be saved however, but a strong woman who will in turn come into her own as a hero in the conflict against Texas Red's gang.
The Arizona Ranger - Henry Cavill.
(Photo Credit: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic)
My favourite actor by a long mile, Mr. Cavill is no stranger to grit, action or mustaches. His body of work lends itself to the action movie hero role splendidly, and I believe he'd look excellent in chaps and boots.
The arizona ranger is doing his job, bringing a killer to justice, however Cavill's work in the man from U.N.C.L.E, the Witcher and even as Superman in Man of Steel, shows his favouring of roles with ambiguity, where justice isn't black and white, but shades of grey.
Henry's age is perfect to play a lawman just beyond his prime, on the most important bounty-hunt of his career, and would contrast well against the young Texas Red.
Aimee Carrero - Agua Fria Townswoman.
(Photo Credit: Diana King)
Mrs Carrero is in her early 30's, and possess an outwardly friendly appearance. She has a body of work that stretches across several genres and even mediums. Having a Latin-born actress in a lead role makes perfect sense to me, considering Agua Fria having Latin-American roots in both its name (cold water) and its founding as a part of Spanish Colonial New Mexico and its expansion in the early 1600's. Carrero's character would be the driving point of conflict between the town and Texas Red.
Texas Red - Tyler James Williams
(Photo Credit: Izumi Hasegawa)
Marty Robbins' song "Big Iron" describes Texas Red as "A vicious killer, though a youth at 24".
For a 24 year old man to become a killer of 20 men, that young man must surely have lived a turmuntioulous life right? Well, he did. Texas Red was a real person, an African American man who fled and killed his pursuers after being subjected to a hate crime, and falsely accused to harming those who sought to do harm to him. Mr Williams work on 'Everybody Hates Chris' in his youth lends itself to narratives of complex motives and history.
The story of Texas Red is one steeped in racism and bigotry. Marty Robbins' song is catchy, for sure, but isn't a detailed dive into the tragedy of the characters, not the bigotry that spawned the legend. In what is essentially the end of a story of persecution and race in Big Iron, Tyler James is an experienced actor who could breath authenticity into the role.
Comentários