“Tombstone”’s script is what enticed the creative appetites of the cast. In fact, the script is what got most of the cast to sign on to the film — even actors like Val Kilmer, who were strangers to the genre.
Val Kilmer said the line that convinced him to take on the project was “I’m your huckleberry.” After asking Jarre about where this line came from, Val Kilmer said, “He didn’t have a specific answer. But I loved it. It just seemed to be the odd, perfect statement for the scene—’You’ve met your match.’”
A Reimagined Tale
Kevin Jarre had an avant-garde approach to the production of "Tombstone" and planned to film it like an old 1940s Western. The production crew didn't like the idea. Jarre wanted to go with an old-fashion long master shot like they used in the 40s, but the production crew wouldn't have it.
They believed the old story had to be shot in a modern way, and that is what ultimately had him fired from his own project.
A Carefully Selected Cast
Although Kevin Jarre was ousted from the project which he had written, he was at least able to have a hand in determining who the cast should be.
Star Sam Elliott, describes meeting with Jarre about his role: “I remember going and having lunch with him at a place on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles, which I don’t think is even there anymore,” Elliott said. “And Kevin said he was having all of his meetings there like he was holding court… I think Kevin’s the one who really controlled this thing creatively before it got off the ground.”
A Famous Cameo
Another interesting feature of Tombstone is that there is a very remarkable cameo appearance. Wyatt Earp’s fifth cousin, Wyatt Earp the Third, made an appearance in the film as Billy Claiborne.
Earp the Third is actually an actor who has regularly taken on the role of the legendary Earp and even of Doc Holliday in various film projects.
The New Director
Because the cast had formed a relationship with Kevin Jarre who had handpicked each of them for their roles, the cast wasn't fond of the new director, George Cosmatos. “He was a whole other animal,” said Sam Elliott.
“We had our moment right at the beginning… I always go to the set and stand around when I’m not working just to watch—I’d rather do that than sit around a hotel—and I remember George coming up to me with his dark glasses, looking up at me from the top of his glasses, sticking his nose right in my face. And he said, ‘Am I gonna have trouble with you?’”