Matt Dillon is stepping into the Old West as the star and an executive producer of The Magnificent Seven, an eight-episode drama ordered by MGM+. The project reimagines the landmark 1960 Western and is spearheaded by Tim Kring, the creator of Heroes. Filming is currently underway in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Dillon will portray Chris Adams, the “steady and principled leader of a band of seven hired gunmen who rally to defend vulnerable settlers from a ruthless land baron intent on seizing their property.” The series, set against the volatile backdrop of the 1880s frontier, centers on seven skilled but imperfect mercenaries recruited after a peaceful Quaker settlement is slaughtered by hired killers working for the land baron. The character of Chris Adams was first brought to the screen by Yul Brynner in the original film (itself inspired by ‘Seven Samurai’) and was later revisited in a 2016 adaptation directed by Antoine Fuqua and led by Denzel Washington.
Michael Wright, global head of MGM+, said in a statement: “Matt Dillon brings extraordinary depth and gravitas to this iconic role. His ability to portray complex, morally conflicted characters makes him the perfect choice to lead our re-imagining of The Magnificent Seven. This series honors the legacy of the original film while exploring timeless themes about courage, redemption, and standing up against oppression — and Matt’s performance will be at the heart of that story.”
Dillon, an Academy Award nominee for Crash, most recently appeared opposite Patricia Arquette in High Desert on Apple TV+. He will next star in The Fence for director Claire Denis and portray Frank Stallone in I Play Rocky, directed by Peter Farrelly for Amazon MGM Studios.
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