Grindstone Entertainment Group has acquired the North American rights to Dead Man’s Hand, the new Western thriller that just completed production in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Pic hails from Milestone Studios and stars Stephen Dorff (HBO’s “True Detective”), Jack Kilmer (The Nice Guys, Val), and Cole Hauser (“Yellowstone”).
Written, directed, and produced by Brian Skiba (The 2nd, Pursuit) under his banner SkibaVision, the film is based on the story of popular graphic novel, “No Rest of the Wicked – Dead Man’s Hand”, from authors Kevin Minor and Matthew Minor. Producing are Laurie Love and Jim Burleson, with Alan B. Bursteen, Dawn Bursteen, Barry Brooker and Stan Wertlieb exec producing.
Kilmer plays 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, the bandit’s brother, the ruthless Mayor Clarence Bishop (Dorff), will not let his brother’s death go unpunished. When 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 (Hauser) to channel his fury as he swears revenge on every single bastard who hurt them.
“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” said Skiba.
“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 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 Milestone co-founder Dawn Bursteen.
Added Milestone President Alan B. Bursteen: “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.”
Dead Man’s Hand reunites Milestone with actor Hauser who stars in the recently released thriller, The Minute You Wake Up Dead, alongside Jaimie Alexander and Morgan Freeman (Million Dollar Baby). Milestone is currently in development on 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.