SANTA FE, N.M. — Nearly four decades have passed since Emilio Estevez first embodied the legendary outlaw Billy the Kid in the celebrated Western film “Young Guns.” This week, Estevez returned to the New Mexico State Capitol for Film and Media Day, announcing plans to revisit the series’ roots with the newest film, “Young Guns 3: Dead or Alive.” Estevez will not only reprise his role as the infamous gunslinger but also take the director’s chair for this latest installment, joined once again by fellow original stars Lou Diamond Phillips and Christian Slater.
During a press event, Estevez humorously acknowledged quips about potentially renaming the film “Old Guns,” considering the passage of time since the film’s original release. The initial “Young Guns” debuted in 1988, earning enough popularity to warrant a sequel two years afterward, with both films shot in the picturesque locales of New Mexico.
The state boasts a rich cinematic heritage, having served as the backdrop for numerous Westerns featuring Hollywood icons like John Wayne, Humphrey Bogart, Spencer Tracy, and Kirk Douglas. Today, New Mexico continues to thrive as a hub for major productions, housing facilities for giants such as Netflix and NBCUniversal.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham commended “Young Guns” as a pivotal project that reinforced New Mexico’s standing as a prime filming destination. She expressed enthusiasm for the sequel, noting that it would enhance the state’s cinematic legacy. “This production exemplifies the types of high-caliber projects our film incentives aim to attract,” she stated, emphasizing job creation and showcasing New Mexico’s natural splendor.
At age 62, Estevez revealed that some preparatory work on the film is underway, although specific details about filming schedules remain undisclosed. While the storyline for “Young Guns 3” remains a closely guarded secret, both Estevez and Phillips have previously dropped hints about the franchise’s potential return.
The screenplay for the movie will be penned by Estevez in collaboration with John Fusco, and Morgan Creek is set to produce the anticipated sequel.
