What Comes After The New Clint Eastwood Remake Could Get Ugly

Screen Rant

By Padraig Cotter

July 16, 2024

The upcoming remake of Clint Eastwood's A Fistful of Dollars is already generating controversy, but things could turn even uglier if it leads to another big redo. Eastwood is one of the last major stars to make his name with Westerns. Clint Eastwood Westerns were darker and more cynical than those produced during Hollywood's "Golden Era." Eastwood's anti-heroes had no trouble shooting people in the back or acting in dishonorable ways. The star made his name with Sergio Leone's Dollars movie trilogy, before transitioning to Hollywood productions.

Westerns were already dipping in popularity during the 1960s, but Eastwood was one of the few names who could guarantee an audience would turn up. Eastwood's Western comeback Pale Rider saved the genre during the 1980s, five years after Heaven's Gate all but killed them. The screen icon signed off the genre with 1992's Unforgiven, which is considered (with good reason) his masterpiece. He is such a singular screen presence that the announcement of a remake of 1964's A Fistful of Dollars - which gave Eastwood his movie breakout - has been met with a decidedly lukewarm response.

Eastwood famously made A Fistful of Dollars during his hiatus from Western series Rawhide and had no expectations it would be a success. Instead, Eastwood's unbelievably charismatic turn as "The Man with no Name" changed the course of his career almost instantly. The film's success also brought to light that the story was a Western-themed riff on Akira Kurosawa's Yojimbo, which both feature anti-heroes who play two gangs off against one another. The similarities between the two were so blatant that production company Toho later sued Leone, with the case being settled out of court.

Remaking A Fistful of Dollars feels like a risky move on several levels. Eastwood's performance is so iconic that any actor inheriting the role will have a tough time measuring up. While not the star's finest work in the genre, it's a classic for a reason, from Leone's stylish direction to several unforgettable scenes. However, considering films like Last Man Standing with Bruce Willis essentially remade A Fistful of Dollars already, the world can withstand another new take on the premise. That said, remaking Eastwood's The Good, The Bad and the Ugly is a no-go.

It was A Fistful of Dollars that led to the wave of Spaghetti Westerns that followed, but The Good, The Bad and the Ugly perfected them. Right from the moment Ennio Morricone's legendary theme music kicks in through to the final shootout at the cemetery, Leone's third and final Dollars film is one of the best Westerns ever made. If A Fistful of Dollars is a hit, then a remake of the Dollars trilogy becomes a realistic prospect.

Exact details about the upcoming Fistful of Dollars remake are slim, including casting. While it would be nice to have a high-profile Western hitting the big screen, it's going to face an uphill critical battle for being a remix of a genre touchstone. Even so, a movie can always overcome mixed reviews to become a success. If The Fistful of Dollars redux is a surprise hit, there's nothing to say that new takes on For a Few Dollars More and The Good, The Bad and the Ugly won't follow suit.

Being sandwiched between the original and The Good, The Bad and the Ugly means For a Few Dollars More often gets overlooked. It really shouldn't, as not only is it Leone's most underrated work, it's arguably a better film than A Fistful of Dollars. It wouldn't be considered sacred ground in the way The Good, The Bad and the Ugly is, but it's hard to see how a reboot would improve on the 1965 sequel either. More than anything, it would be a real act of hubris to remake Leone's entire Dollars trilogy.

Certain films like Citizen Kane or The Godfather are considered so foundational and untouchable the mere thought of remaking them sounds foolish. Maybe it reads like hyperbole, but The Good, The Bad and the Ugly deserves a space on that list too. Simply put, there isn't a better version that could be made. From the direction to the performances, the score to the screenplay, the film is an exceptional piece of work.

In all likelihood, the Fistful of Dollars remake will be a one-and-done that won't lead to sequels or other remakes. Even if it does, a follow-up would be best to take the new Man with no Name on new adventures that could incorporate some elements from the original sequels. What it absolutely must not do is touch The Good, The Bad and the Ugly, because again as Lee Van Cleef's villain learned during the finale, it's hard to outdraw the best.