The return of "Deadwood" on the screen is almost here, even if it's only for a short movie. Last seen on television in 2006, the follow-up story from creator David Milch will supposedly have a 10-year time jump.
According to Entertainment Weekly, the film is expected to premiere on HBO sometime this spring. Fans who were short-changed about the show's abrupt end nearly 12 years ago will be able to enjoy two full hours of the limited offering. The network, however, has not yet announced its actual release date.
HBO has been trying to keep the plot of the "Deadwood" movie a big secret since word got out that it's finally happening. But former HBO boss and producer Carolyn Strauss confirmed the new story will open in 1889, just as South Dakota is about to be the 40th State.
The passing of time will play a part in the progression of the characters. As Strauss revealed, some characters will have mellowed out while others will be more hardened by the struggles they faced.
Most of the show's original cast have agreed to reprise their roles as production began last fall. Leading the pack are Ian McShane as Al Swearengen and Timothy Olyphant as Seth Bullock.
Also returning for the movie are Molly Parker (Alma Ellsworth), Paula Malcomson (Trixie), Kim Dickens (Joanie Stubbs), Robin Weigert ("Calamity" Jane Canary), John Hawkes (Sol Star), Brad Dourif (Doc Cochran), Anna Gunn (Martha Bullock), Dayton Callie (Charlie Utter), Gerald McRaney (George Hearst) and William Sanderson (E.B. Farnum). But a new character played by young star Jade Pettyjohn will also be introduced in the film.
Milch has been developing the movie since HBO canceled "Deadwood" after three seasons. But by 2007, HBO had some misgivings that a film would not work with the show's format, while McShane said the set has been dismantled, thus any plans for production would no longer be possible.
The writer, however, hinted in 2012 that he's still not closing the doors on the movie's development. By 2016, Milch and HBO decided to restore talks to bring the story back on the screen with a limited offering. Two years later, the network announced that production will actually start in November 2018.
But viewers who have never seen an episode of "Deadwood" will still enjoy the Western without any ideas about the characters. However, they may also catch up and watch all three seasons if they have an account on Amazon Prime, where the show has been streaming since 2014.
