TBS Superstation To Remake 'High Noon.'

Wed. May 10, 2000 12:00 AM by Business Wire

Atlanta, GA - Michael Madsen (Reservoir Dogs), Dennis Weaver (Gunsmoke) and August Schellenberg (Free Willy) have joined the cast of TBS Superstation's remake of the Western classic HIGH NOON, starring Tom Skerritt, Maria Conchita Alonso, Reed Diamond and Susanna Thompson. Madsen is set to play villain Frank Miller, whose arrival on the noon train has caused the town of Hadleyville to panic. Weaver will play Mart Howe, a retired lawman played in the original by Lon Chaney Jr. Schellenberg will take the role of Antonio, an aide to Alonso's character, Helen Ramirez.

HIGH NOON is being directed by Rod Hardy (Two for Texas and Buffalo Girls) and produced by David and Norman Rosemont of Rosemont Productions (Purgatory and The Red Badge of Courage). Currently shooting in Calgary, the movie is set to premiere on the Superstation in August 2000.

HIGH NOON tells the story of a lawman named Will Kane (Skerritt) who has just married a young bride, Amy (Thompson), promising to leave his dangerous career and settle down for a quiet life. Just as they are about to leave, word comes that Frank Miller (Madsen), a vicious killer Kane had sent to prison years earlier, is coming to town on the noon train. Kane attempts to rally the town to fight the gunman, but nobody is willing to help, not even his deputy Harvey (Diamond). Harvey's cowardice infuriates his girlfriend, Helen (Alonso), whose romantic past with both Kane and with Miller convinces her to leave town. As the dreaded noon hour approaches, Kane realizes he must stand alone against the coming storm.

Madsen is familiar to movie fans for his intense performances in such movies as Reservoir Dogs, Thelma & Louise, Species, Donnie Brasco, Wyatt Earp and Mullholland Falls. He also co-starred in Free Willy with Schellenberg. On television, Madsen starred in the series Vengeance Unlimited and The Outsiders, and the miniseries War and Remembrance.

Prior to playing Chester on the classic series Gunsmoke, a role that earned him an Emmy, Weaver played roles in countless feature films, including Dragnet, The Bridges at Toko-Ri and Lawless Breed. After 10 years on Gunsmoke, Weaver left the popular series to star in his own series, Kentucky Jones. He later went on to starring roles in the series McCloud and Gentle Ben, as well as many others. Weaver's extensive television movie credits include the Steven Spielberg thriller Duel and the miniseries Centennial. Most recently, he starred opposite Bill Pullman in the telefilm The Virginian.

Schellenberg is known to movie fans for his role as Randolph Johnson in the three popular Free Willy movies. His other feature credits include Running Brave, with Robby Benson; Iron Will, starring Kevin Spacey; and the critically acclaimed Black Robe. Schellenberg has starred in such television movies as Geronimo, Lakota Woman: Siege at Wounded Knee, The West Side Waltz, Ruby Ridge: An American Tragedy and Crazy Horse. He has also guest-starred on such television series as Walker, Texas Ranger and Due South.

News, photos provided by Business Wire.

 

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