SANTA FE, N.M. — Emilio Estevez famously portrayed the legendary outlaw Billy the Kid nearly four decades ago in the classic Western film “Young Guns.” Now, the actor is gearing up to return to the scene of the action, announcing his plan to direct and star in a new sequel, “Young Guns 3: Dead or Alive.”
Estevez made the announcement while attending Film and Media Day at the New Mexico State Capitol. He revealed that, alongside him, original cast members Lou Diamond Phillips and Christian Slater would reprise their roles in this latest chapter of the franchise. Estevez quipped during a news conference that he’s received humorous suggestions that the movie should be titled “Old Guns” given the time that has passed.
“Young Guns” made its debut in 1988, quickly becoming a blockbuster hit, which led to a sequel two years later. Both films utilized New Mexico’s unique and dramatic scenery, adding to the state’s cinematic allure. This region has a storied past of appearing in films, with its breathtaking vistas serving as the backdrop in numerous classic Westerns featuring Hollywood legends like John Wayne, Humphrey Bogart, Spencer Tracy, and Kirk Douglas. In recent years, the state has been transformed with the establishment of production centers serving major players like Netflix and NBCUniversal.
The Governor of New Mexico, Michelle Lujan Grisham, underscored the importance of the “Young Guns” franchise to the state’s profile as a prime filming location. She expressed enthusiasm about the new installment of the movie, noting its role in perpetuating the state’s cinematic heritage. “This project exemplifies the type of high-quality productions our film incentives aim to draw in — projects that generate employment for New Mexicans while featuring the unparalleled beauty of our state,” she remarked.
Estevez, now 62, explained that preliminary work on the new film had commenced, although specific timelines for filming were not disclosed. The storyline remains confidential, but past interviews with Estevez and Phillips have hinted at the potential for the franchise’s revival on the big screen. Estevez has teamed up with John Fusco in writing “Young Guns 3,” which will be produced by Morgan Creek.
