It’s been thirty-four years since “Young Guns II” hit theaters, and fans of the cult Western series have been itching for a third installment. The original cast, including Emilio Estevez and Lou Diamond Phillips, is eager to return, but a tangle of legal issues has kept “Young Guns 3” from riding into the sunset. In a recent appearance on the Inside of You podcast hosted by Michael Rosenbaum, Lou Diamond Phillips shed some light on the delays.
When asked about the possibility of reprising his role as Jose Chavez y Chavez, Phillips didn’t hold back his enthusiasm. “Not only would I consider it, I said yes to it,” he revealed. He also praised the “great script” penned by Estevez, which ages the characters to reflect the actors’ current ages. This clever twist allows for a more authentic and mature take on the beloved outlaws.
Phillips teased that characters whose deaths occurred off-camera in the previous films would return, adding a layer of mystery and excitement for long-time fans. With original writer John Fusco and Estevez set to direct, the project seemed poised for success. Estevez had even scouted locations and created storyboards, pushing the film further along than many might have expected.
So, what’s the holdup? According to Phillips, the production company Morgan Creek has stalled the project. “For some reason, Morgan Creek would like to control the property, but as far as I know, they’re not doing anything with it, so it just seems really counterproductive to me,” Phillips lamented. Despite announcing a reboot in 2017, Morgan Creek has yet to take significant steps forward.
Estevez echoed Phillips’ sentiments in a statement last year. He highlighted the legal entanglements surrounding the intellectual property rights as the primary obstacle. “It all comes down to the legal minds that work out IP,” Estevez explained. “We have a terrific draft, and if we can figure out the copyrights on all of this, we’re ready to go.” Estevez also hinted that the title would likely drop the “young” moniker, reflecting the characters’ and actors’ current ages.
The original “Young Guns” movie, released in 1988, follows a group of young gunmen led by Billy the Kid, played by Estevez. Alongside Phillips, the ensemble cast included Kiefer Sutherland, Charlie Sheen, Dermot Mulroney, and Casey Siemaszko. Their quest for vengeance and justice struck a chord with audiences, cementing the film’s status as a Western classic.
As fans await further developments, the hope remains that the original cast will once again don their cowboy hats and ride out for one more adventure. Whether it’s legal wrangling or sheer perseverance, the journey to “Young Guns 3” has been a wild ride, but one that promises to be worth the wait.
