Summary. Kurt Russell's performance as Wyatt Earp in Tombstone is one of his most defining roles, but it almost starred Richard Gere instead. Russell fell in love with the story and convinced Disney to distribute the film. Kevin Costner, who was originally attached to the film, left to make a rival biopic of Wyatt Earp ...

Who was originally supposed to play Doc Holliday in Tombstone?

Tombstone Nearly Cast Willem Dafoe As Doc Holliday

Before Kilmer was cast in Tombstone, the producers' first choice for the role of Doc Holliday was Willem Dafoe (via MovieWeb). The studio vetoed Dafoe's casting because they were wary of the controversy surrounding Martin Scorsese's The Last Temptation of Christ.

Was Kevin Costner supposed to be in Tombstone?

Before Wyatt Earp went into production, Costner was offered the lead role in Tombstone but declined to develop a miniseries about Earp, instead. As reported by Entertainment Weekly in 1993, the fallout of this decision led to a lot of drama.

Was the real Wyatt Earp in the movie Tombstone?

Does the movie Tombstone reveal the real Wyatt Earp? Sure does: Wyatt Earp, 31, fifth-generation cousin of the historic lawman, portrays gunman Billy Claiborne, the taciturn poke who barely avoids obliteration at the O.K. Corral. Playing cowboy is clearly in his blood.

Is Kurt Russell's son named after Wyatt Earp?

(And yes, Russell is said to have named his actor son, Wyatt Russell, after his character.) The plot mostly concerns Wyatt Earp, reluctantly drawn back into service against a gang of marauders called The Cowboys, led by "Curly Bill" Brocius (Powers Boothe) and Johnny Ringo (Michael Biehn).

The Real Doc Holliday Will Give You The Chills

Was Doc Holliday really Wyatt Earp's friend?

John Henry Holliday (August 14, 1851 – November 8, 1887), better known as Doc Holliday, was a dentist and later a gambler, gunfighter, and a close friend and associate of lawman Wyatt Earp.

Is there anyone alive related to Wyatt Earp?

The general consensus seems to be that while Wyatt Earp was a man to be taken seriously, as evidenced by the O.K. Corral gunfight, he was a caring individual when it came to his friends and family - a complex man. While Wyatt had no direct descendants, several of his relatives' offspring still live in the Pella area.

Was Kurt Russell's mustache real in Tombstone?

All the mustaches in the movie were real except Jon Tenney's (Sheriff Behan) who had to be clean shaven for his prior project, and was thus the only fake mustache in the movie.

What was Doc Holliday dying from?

Doc Holliday—gunslinger, gambler, and occasional dentist—dies from tuberculosis. Though he was perhaps most famous for his participation in the shootout at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona, John Henry “Doc” Holliday earned his bad reputation well before that famous feud.

Did Billy the Kid and Wyatt Earp ever meet?

Billy the Kid Meets Wyatt Earp in Jerome, Arizona.

Which movie was more successful, Wyatt Earp or Tombstone?

Tombstone was a box office success, grossing $73.2 million worldwide on a $25 million budget, while Wyatt Earp only grossed $25 million against a $63 million budget.

Where did they film Tombstone?

Predominantly, the movie Tombstone was filmed at the Old Tucson Studios in Mescal, Arizona. This is a really famous and popular filming location for western films as there is a ready-made 1800's era saloon town already there in the middle of the desert.

How much of the movie Tombstone is true?

"Tombstone" is based on real events, specifically the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral and the events leading up to it. However, like many historical movies, it takes creative liberties for dramatic effect.

Was Johnny Ringo a real person?

John Peters Ringo (May 3, 1850 – July 13, 1882), known as Johnny Ringo, was an American Old West outlaw loosely associated with the Cochise County Cowboys in frontier boomtown Tombstone, Arizona Territory. He took part in the Mason County War in Texas during which he committed his first murder.

What was Wyatt Earp's wife addicted to?

Blaylock suffered from severe headaches and while in Tombstone, Arizona she became addicted to laudanum, a then-common opiate and pain killer. It is not known exactly when Earp and Blaylock ended their relationship.

Why did Doc hate Ringo?

"In Vino Veritas." - Doc Holliday

When Doc declares that he should "hate" Johnny Ringo because he reminds him too much of himself, Wyatt Earp tries to assuage the younger gunsel by explaining that Doc's drunk and not in command of his faculties.

Why is Doc Holliday so pale?

Holliday was a complex man. Physically he was slight, his complexion pale, and he possessed a cough, all due to tuberculosis. He dressed well.

What really happened to Wyatt Earp?

Earp died at his home in Los Angeles, possibly of chronic cystitis, on January 13, 1929, at age 80. His longtime companion Josephine (she called herself Josephine Earp, although there's no record they ever were married) had his cremated remains buried at a cemetery in Colma, California.

How old was Wyatt Earp in Tombstone?

Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp (March 19, 1848 – January 13, 1929) was a Deputy U.S. Marshal, Deputy Sheriff, and Deputy Town Marshal in the Old West. In Tombstone, Arizona Territory, Earp took part in the Gunfight at (near) the O.K. Corral, during which lawmen killed three outlaws. Earp at about age 42.

Did Doc Holliday really shoot Johnny Ringo?

A coroner's jury ruled Ringo's death a suicide, but many believed Wyatt and Doc had returned to Arizona and killed Ringo. This story gained some credibility when, in 1977, a book was published by the respected University of Arizona Press entitled “I Married Wyatt Earp”.

Who was Pony Deal in Tombstone?

Smith Found Success In Tombstone. Long before he appeared on Yellowstone, Forrie J. Smith found success in his role as Pony Deal in Tombstone.

Who couldn't grow a mustache in Tombstone?

"There was one guy, Jon Tenney. He didn't get to grow his own mustache because he had a job right before that. They had to put a fake mustache on him.

Did Wyatt Earp's wife attend his funeral?

Wyatt's good friend “Doc” Holliday called Wyatt the “Jewish Boy.” Wyatt's Hollywood friends conducted a funeral for him at the Congregational Church in Los Angeles, California, but Sadie did not attend and later gave him a Jewish funeral.

Did John Wayne ever meet Wyatt Earp?

Bottom line: Earp and Wayne never met. Anything Wayne knew about the real Earp came to him secondhand from Ford during their 25-year working relationship. Their encounter is only a charming Hollywood fable. Nonetheless, Earp and Wayne did share several qualities.

Who was Wyatt Earp's best friend?

Doc Holliday was a gambler, vagabond, gentleman, and gunfighter. A friend to Wyatt Earp, he was deputized in Tombstone, Arizona, before the famous gunfight at the O.K. Corral.