Matthew McConaughey, Pedro Pascal & Austin Butler to Star in Park Chan-Wook's Revenge Western

This cast is a real treat! Matthew McConaughey, Pedro Pascal, and Austin Butler have a new film project. The three Hollywood stars will appear in the new film by master director Park Chan-wook, as reported by the industry magazine Deadline. And the first description has us eager for more: it's a hard-hitting Western!

Here's what The Brigands of Rattlecreek is about

The project is titled "The Brigands of Rattlecreek." The story revolves around "a sheriff and a doctor who seek revenge against a group of bandits". During a thunderstorm, the gangsters terrorize a small town.

Central themes include the consequences of violence and revenge – typical of Park Chan-Wook. The Korean director made his breakthrough in the early 2000s with his Vengeance Trilogy – his masterpiece "Oldboy" in particular is familiar to many film fans. "The Brigands of Rattlecreek" is a passion project of Park's that he has long wanted to bring to life.

Cast & Crew

In addition to McConaughey, Pascal, and Butler, Chinese actress Tang Wei is also on board. The actress most recently collaborated with Park on his noir crime thriller "Decision to Leave." The screenplay for "The Brigands of Rattlecreek" was written by S. Craig Zahler, who is known for uncompromising films such as "Brawl in Cell Block 99" and "Bone Tomahawk."

An Acclaimed Screenplay

The script has been on the so-called "Black List" for quite some time. This list features the most popular unproduced screenplays in the industry. The ingredients for "The Brigands of Rattlecreek" could hardly be better: a cast full of A-listers, a renowned director, and a script celebrated within the industry.

There is one catch, however: Park is still looking for a distribution partner. The project is set to be pitched at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival. Given the film's impressive overall package, finding a distribution partner should likely be no problem. It will be interesting to see who secures the project.

Park Chan-Wook

Park Chan-Wook is considered one of South Korea's most influential auteur filmmakers. He gained international fame primarily through his Vengeance Trilogy, consisting of "Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance," "Oldboy," and "Lady Vengeance." "Oldboy," in particular, has become a modern classic. Park's style is defined by visually striking direction, moral ambiguity, and often uncompromising depictions of violence. In recent years, he also garnered significant attention with "The Handmaiden." The historical thriller is regarded by many film fans as an absolute masterpiece. Most recently, he directed "No Other Choice."

Matthew McConaughey

Over the course of his career, Matthew McConaughey has transformed from a rom-com star into a serious character actor. Following early successes with films like "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days," he embarked on a career reorientation. Highlights of this phase include his Academy Award winning performance in "Dallas Buyers Club," his role in the sci-fi epic "Interstellar," and the acclaimed first season of the series "True Detective," in which he delivered a compelling performance as a disillusioned investigator.

Pedro Pascal

Pedro Pascal is currently one of the most sought-after actors in the international film and television industry. He first gained widespread recognition for his role as Oberyn Martell in "Game of Thrones." He later cemented his status as a leading man with series such as "Narcos" and, above all, "The Mandalorian," in which he portrays the titular character. In the post-apocalyptic drama "The Last of Us," Pascal delivered a compelling performance as Joel. Most recently, he appeared in Ari Aster's "Eddington," among other projects. His next feature film: "Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu."

Austin Butler

Austin Butler has established himself as a serious actor in recent years. After smaller roles, he achieved his big breakthrough with the lead role in "Elvis." He was nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal of music icon Elvis Presley. He subsequently appeared in the epic science fiction film "Dune: Part 2," among other projects. He will soon star alongside "Sinners" star Michael B. Jordan in Joseph Kosinski's "Miami Vice '85."

Tang Wei

Tang Wei is one of the most renowned actresses in Chinese cinema. She gained international attention for her leading role in Ang Lee's spy drama "Lust, Caution." Numerous other roles followed, including in Michael Mann's "Blackhat" alongside Chris Hemsworth. Her collaboration with Park Chan-wook in "Decision to Leave" earned her widespread critical acclaim once again and underscored her ability to portray complex and multifaceted characters.

S. Craig Zahler

S. Craig Zahler is known as a director and screenwriter for his uncompromising, often brutal films. He has made a name for himself with works such as "Bone Tomahawk," an unusually gritty Western, as well as "Brawl in Cell Block 99" and "Dragged Across Concrete." His stories are characterized by a dark atmosphere, slow-building tension, and explicit depictions of violence – elements that can also be found in Park Chan-wook's filmography.