- Title: USA: FILM PREMIERE OF "AMERICAN OUTLAWS"
- Date: 4th August 2001
- Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (AUGUST 4, 2001) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) COLIN FARRELL SAYING: "Yeah, I mean, I grew up with all kinds of American movies and Westerns were some of them. You know, from "Shane" to you name it, I saw a lot of Westerns when I was a kid and, like most kids over here as well, we used to play cowboys and Indians, you know, in the
- Embargoed: 19th August 2001 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES AND FILM LOCATIONS
- Country: USA
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVAAEZ8KGFDAVVL0IOJRVFIZG9V5
- Story Text: Young Hollywood turned out in force on Tuesday, August 14 for the World Premiere of "American Outlaws," a new kind of Western with a contemporary feel starring newcomer Colin Farrell, Scott Caan and Ali Larter.
Fresh from his attention-grabbing performance in Joel Schumacher's "Tigerland," Irish newcomer Colin Farrell takes his first leading role in the new Western "American Outlaws,"
the story of the exploits of the infamous Jesse James gang of gunslingers.
Set in Missouri just after the end of the American Civil War, the film follows cousins and best friends Jesse James, played by Farrell, and Cole Younger, played by James Caan's son Scott, as they return home to their farms after fighting on the losing side of the War.
But they find little peace at home, as they find their families being forced off their land by the Rock Island Railroad, which is clearing the way for its first transcontinental tracks.
After several contentious run-ins with the railroad authorities, Jesse, his older brother Frank, Cole, and his brothers take to the hills and launch a plan to raid banks, depots and any other railroad interests in order to hurt them where it counts: in the wallet.
Unable to stop the newly named James-Younger Gang, the railroad enlists the services of the world famous Pinkerton Detective Agency, led by Allan Pinkerton, played by former James Bond star Timothy Dalton. Also in the cast is Ali Larter, previously seen with Scott Caan in the football drama "Varsity Blues." Here, she plays Zee Mimms, the love of Jesse James' life.
"American Outlaws" is directed by Les Mayfield with a distinctly contemporary touch, complete with rousing action sequences, larger-than-life characters and dialogue, and a modern soundtrack. The director's intention was to make the movie accessible to today's younger audiences while retaining some of the elements of the classic Western genre picture.
In preparation for their roles, Farrell, Caan, Larter and the others attended "Cowboy Camp," which consisted of several weeks of horse riding, roping, gunslinging and other Old West-type activities. Caan had a leg up on his co-stars because he has ridden horses his whole life, while Farrell was a quick study. Larter, on the other hand, wasn't quite as adept at equestrian skills. Luckily, her role limited the amount of time she had to spend on horses.
"American Outlaws" opens in theaters throughout the United States on Friday, August 17. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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