UPDATE: Clint Eastwood almost teamed up with Tim Burton for a groundbreaking supernatural Western film, a collaboration that would have changed the genre forever. New reports reveal that the iconic actor was set to star in an adaptation of Richard Brautigan’s novel, The Hawkline Monster: A Gothic Western, but the project ultimately fell through.
This intriguing pairing of Eastwood and Burton—two titans from vastly different cinematic worlds—has left fans wondering what could have been. Burton, known for his gothic aesthetic, envisioned Eastwood in a role that combined elements of Western antiheroes with bizarre, surreal storytelling. The film was intended to explore a tale steeped in dark fantasy and moral ambiguity, set against the backdrop of 1902 Oregon.
The plot follows two gunslingers hired by a young woman, Magic Child, to confront a monster rumored to reside in ice caves beneath her home. As the gunslingers delve deeper, they discover the true nature of the beast is far from what they expected. This unique narrative aligns with Eastwood’s history of playing morally complex characters, yet the strange twists of this story would have positioned it squarely within Burton’s wheelhouse.
Adding to the allure, Jack Nicholson was also attached to play the second gunslinger, creating a dream team of Hollywood legends. However, despite initial excitement, both actors withdrew from the project after Burton struggled to finalize a script that met their expectations.
In a statement about the film’s potential, Burton said,
“The script had so many intriguing elements, but it just never came together in a way that felt right for Eastwood or Nicholson.”
The project failed to materialize, leaving a void in the realm of supernatural Westerns.
Although Eastwood has ventured into supernatural territory before—most notably in films like High Plains Drifter and Pale Rider—none have approached the bizarre nature of The Hawkline Monster. In High Plains Drifter, he portrayed a vengeful spirit, while in Pale Rider, he explicitly identified as Death, seeking justice in a lawless land. Contrastingly, The Hawkline Monster would have showcased Eastwood and Nicholson navigating a world where absurd events unfold around them, challenging their characters’ stoicism.
Interestingly, the film saw renewed interest when director Yorgos Lanthimos expressed a desire to adapt it in 2019, partnering with acclaimed writer Tony McNamara. However, like Burton, Lanthimos faced obstacles that hindered the project from progressing.
In light of these developments, the dream of seeing Eastwood portray a gunslinger in a Tim Burton film may remain unrealized, but it has sparked conversations among fans and cinephiles alike. As both Eastwood and Burton continue to thrive in their respective careers, the question lingers: what if?
This revelation not only highlights the creative ambitions of Hollywood’s most renowned figures but also the potential for genre-blending narratives that challenge the status quo. Keep an eye out for further developments in the film industry as new projects and collaborations emerge, continually reshaping the cinematic landscape.
