The Coen Brothers’ remake of classic Western “True Grit” has added actor Barry Pepper to its already star-studded cast.
Pepper will play his namesake’s character “Lucky” Ned Pepper, a role originally portrayed by Robert Duvall in the 1969 Henry Hathaway film about a young girl who acquires the assistance of aging, drunken U.S. Marshal Rooster J. Cogburn and young Texas Ranger, La Boeuf to track down her father’s killer, Tom Chaney, who has taken to a gang led by Duvall’s Pepper.
The Coens’ remake is being produced by Scott Rudin and Steven Spielberg and we’re excited to see Jeff Bridges fill the role as the Marshal, Matt Damon as the ranger, Josh Brolin as the killer and newcomer Hailee Steinfeld as the victim’s daughter. Prior to the announcement, Pepper had already been listed on the film’s IMDB page which also lists Ed Corbin and Paul Rae, but neither of the latter have been confirmed as officially cast (yet).
Shooting begins on “True Grit” March 15th in New Mexico for an award season contending Christmas Day release.
Any news about Barry Pepper getting some acting work is good news to me. He was great in 61*, and I'm surprised he hasn't found a nitch as a solid supporting player.