Key Takeaways:
– Taylor Sheridan was greatly influenced by Western films, especially Clint Eastwood’s Oscar-winning ‘Unforgiven.’
– Sheridan cast actor Luke Grimes in ‘Yellowstone,’ impressed by his performance in Eastwood’s film ‘American Sniper.’
– ‘Yellowstone’ also features Claudia’s Theme from ‘Unforgiven,’ courtesy of Eastwood’s approval.
Clint Eastwood’s Unaddressed Impact on ‘Yellowstone’
Screenwriter and director, Taylor Sheridan, confessed that his inspiration for the popular series ‘Yellowstone’ was begotten from the Western films he grew up watching. Significantly, the one film that seemed to have rooted deep inspiration in him was Clint Eastwood’s Oscar-successful film ‘Unforgiven.’ However, Eastwood’s obscure contribution to Sheridan’s series does not merely lie in his inspiration for Westerns. Sheridan employed an actor for the series, specifically after having watched him in an Eastwood film.
Sheridan Discovers Grimes in an Eastwood Film
Luke Grimes, known for playing the role of Navy SEAL Marc Lee in the film ‘American Sniper’ in 2014, managed to catch Sheridan’s eye. This performance paved Grimes’ way to the character of Kayce Dutton, everybody’s favorite charmer in ‘Yellowstone.’ Eastwood’s ‘American Sniper’ portrayed many memorable side characters, one being the real-life Navy SEAL Marc Lee, believed to be the first to have died in action during the Iraq war, portrayed by none other than Grimes.
Eastwood’s eye for talent saw something intriguing in the actor, whose previous major roles included ‘True Blood‘ and ‘Fifty Shades of Grey.’ Notwithstanding Marc Lee’s widow’s disappointment with the character portrayal in the movie, Sheridan found Grimes’ performance captivating and charismatic.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Grimes unveiled the chronicle of how he landed the role of Kayce Dutton in ‘Yellowstone.’ The creators stumbled upon ‘American Sniper,’ during the early development of their series, and Grimes’s performance stood out. They speculated that Grimes could replicate and bring forth the same gritty but appealing performance into their series.
“Eastwood Saw the Heart in My Project”
Testing the artistic boundaries, Sheridan ingeniously incorporated Eastwood’s Claudia’s Theme in an episode of ‘Yellowstone.’ The touching melody, written and performed by Eastwood for ‘Unforgiven,’ was Sheridan’s subtle approach to pay tribute to the man and his film that inspired him. His love for Westerns was incited by this Oscar-awarded film, which eventually led him to ‘Yellowstone.’
Although Eastwood generally disallows other filmmakers from utilizing his music in their projects, after reviewing Sheridan’s heartful sequence integrated with the song, he granted his permission. Eastwood recognized the earnestness in Sheridan’s endeavor and therefore deemed it fitting to include his song.
‘American Sniper’ is now available on Prime Video and Max, whilst ‘Yellowstone’ can be streamed on Peacock. Eastwood’s influence on ‘Yellowstone’ and its heartthrob has given fans more than one reason to express gratitude towards the esteemed director.
Wrapping Up
While Eastwood and Sheridan’s styles of storytelling may differ, the influence is explicit and appreciated by fans worldwide. Grimes’s portrayal of Kayce Dutton in Yellowstone, influenced by his role in ‘American Sniper,’ combined with the remarkable musical piece from Eastwood’s ‘Unforgiven,’ resonate through the themes and performances in the series, amplifying its allure. This fusion of talent and homage to classic Western films plays a significant part in defining Yellowstone’s unique appeal.
