Los Angeles, CA (December 20, 2022) – Milestone Studios announces the completion of principal photography of the western Dead Man’s Hand, featuring Stephen Dorff (HBO’s True Detective), Jack Kilmer (The Nice Guys, Val) and Cole Hauser (Yellowstone). The feature was written, directed, and produced by Brian Skiba (The 2nd, Pursuit), and is based on the story of popular graphic novel, No Rest of the Wicked – Dead Man’s Hand, written by Kevin Minor and Matthew Minor. The production was filmed in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Grindstone Entertainment Group has acquired the North American rights to the project.
In Dead Man’s Hand, a retired gunslinger, Reno (Kilmer) and a new marshal (Hauser) join forces as they take on a cruel cattle baron (Dorff) in this gripping story of vengeance and wrath. Reno, a newly married gunfighter, hangs up his six-shooters when he says “I do” to his bride, Vegas. But when Reno kills a bandit in self-defense, he finds himself pulled back into his old ways. The bandit’s brother, the ruthless, Mayor Clarence Bishop (Dorff), will not let his brother’s death go unpunished. As revenge, Bishop and his private army ambush Reno and Vegas, leaving the gunfighter near death and taking Reno’s wife prisoner. Reno teams up with Marshal Roy McCutcheon to channel his fury as he swears revenge on every single bastard who hurt them.
Skiba wrote, directed, and produced the picture under his banner SkibaVision. Laurie Love and Jim Burleson also serve as producers. Executive producers are Alan B. Bursteen, Dawn Bursteen, Barry Brooker and Stan Wertlieb.
Skiba said, “Dead Man’s Hand is a western rooted in a tragic love story followed by retaliation and nonstop action. I couldn’t be more appreciative to my producing team, the cast, the crew, and Milestone, who collaborated to bring this story to life. Kilmer, Dorff and Hauser gave exceptional performances, while the scenic Great Plains of Santa Fe provided the perfect backdrop for this western.”
“Dead Man’s Hand is a compelling western with visceral, thrilling action. The movie raises the stakes in a story of righteous but ferocious revenge that will keep audiences riveted,” said Grindstone’s Barry Brooker.
“I was excited to get behind this incredibly gritty story depicting the struggles and spirit of the American West and work with director, Brian Skiba, who had a clear vision for the project. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with such gifted individuals and am looking forward to collaborating with Brian again on the upcoming western, Gunslingers,” said Dawn Bursteen, Co-Founder of Milestone Studios.
Alan B. Bursteen, President of Milestone added, “I am a huge fan of authentic westerns and was happy to secure the financing and distribution for this project. Looking ahead to 2023, Milestone has a strong diverse slate in several different genres with a community of talented writers and filmmakers.”
This is the second feature Milestone has produced with Hauser, who stars in the recently released thriller, The Minute You Wake Up Dead, alongside Jaimie Alexander and Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman (Million Dollar Baby). Milestone is currently in development on Brian Skiba’s next western The Gunslingers.
Dorff is repped by Atlas Artists and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush, Kaller, Gellman, Megis & Fox; Kilmer by Gersh Agency, Authentic Talent and Literary Management, and Hirsch, Wallerstein, Hayum, Matolf and Fishman. Hauser by APA, Brillstein Entertainment Partners and Yorn, Levine, Barnes, Krintzman, Rubenstein, Kohner, Endlich & Gellman.
via Maxine Leonard PR