If there is one cinematic era that completely defined my youth, it’s the late '80s and early '90s western revival. And at the absolute peak of that mountain stood Young Guns and Young Guns II. Being born in 1978, I was at the absolute perfect age to have these movies permanently seared into my pop culture DNA.
Scurrying to the Theater: My History with the Regulators
When the first Young Guns hit theaters in 1988, I was just a 10 year old kid. Watching Emilio Estevez, Kiefer Sutherland, Lou Diamond Phillips, and Charlie Sheen ride across the screen as John Tunstall’s "Regulators" was mind blowing. They weren't the old, stoic cowboys my parents watched. They were the "Brat Pack" on horseback, full of swagger, chaos, and unforgettable one liners. By the time Young Guns II blasted into theaters in 1990, I was a 12 year old fully immersed in the lore of Billy the Kid. The sequel took everything I loved about the first movie, made it a bit darker, and gave us an incredible ending that left just enough mystery about whether Billy really died in Fort Sumner.
The Ultimate Anthem: "Blaze of Glory"
You cannot talk about Young Guns II without talking about the music. Jon Bon Jovi’s "Blaze of Glory" wasn’t just a theme song for the movie; it was the absolute anthem of my childhood at the time. I remember having that track on repeat, screaming the lyrics, and feeling like an absolute outlaw. The acoustic guitar intro mixed with Jon's raw vocals perfectly captured the tragic, epic spirit of Billy the Kid. To this day, the second those first chords strike, I am immediately transported back to 1990.
The Legend Continues: What We Know About Young Guns 3
For decades, we thought the dust had settled on this franchise. But the rumors are true, and I am absolutely ecstatic: Young Guns 3: Dead or Alive is officially on the horizon!
- The Plot: The script, heavily driven by Emilio Estevez, leans into the famous "Brushy Bill Roberts" narrative. It plays on the theory that Billy the Kid didn’t actually die in 1881, but survived well into the 20th century. The story reportedly follows an older Billy heading to Mexico on the eve of the Mexican Revolution to train a young Pancho Villa's men.
- The Cast: Emilio Estevez is back to direct and star. Even better, Kiefer Sutherland recently shared how amazing the script is, and both Lou Diamond Phillips (Chávez) and Christian Slater (Arkansas Dave) are confirmed to return, alongside an incredible new cast.
- The Music: While nothing is set in stone, Estevez has even dropped subtle hints that Jon Bon Jovi might have some level of involvement. Fingers crossed for another masterpiece track!
The child in me is screaming with excitement. Seeing these characters return to the screen to finish the legend is the ultimate nostalgia trip. They can call it "Old Guns" all they want, I will be first in line at the theater when it drops!
 |
| Find him on X @brogan78 | on Instagram | on Facebook | or on Youtube |