TriCoast Worldwide & Vitagraph Set Fall Release For Malcolm McDowell & James Paxton Western ‘Last Train To Fortune’
TriCoast Worldwide and Vitagraph Films have set a theatrical release for the Adam Rifkin-directed western comedy "Last Train to Fortune," starring Malcolm McDowell and James Paxton. The film's release matters as much for its lengthy backstory as its cast: the script was written 37 years ago by Rifkin's mother Michele Rifkin and was originally meant to star James's late father, Bill Paxton, opposite McDowell, but the project was repeatedly delayed by the deaths of intended director Lindsay Anderson and later Bill Paxton himself before finally being revived with James stepping into his father's role.
The film opens in New York on 18 September, followed by Dallas on 23 September and Los Angeles on 25 September, with further markets to follow through the autumn; TriCoast will also handle streaming distribution later this year. The cast includes Mary Steenburgen, Bernadette Peters and Laura Marano, with the story following schoolteacher Cecil Peachtree (McDowell) and outlaw Jedidiah Dooley (Paxton) on a journey to the town of Fortune. The New York run will include Malcolm McDowell retrospective screenings, including at the cinema where "A Clockwork Orange" premiered, alongside cast and filmmaker appearances.
- Western comedy "Last Train to Fortune" gets fall theatrical release dates
- Script sat unmade for 37 years after two directors' deaths
- James Paxton plays role once intended for his late father Bill
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TriCoast Worldwide and Vitagraph Films are companies that distribute films, arranging cinema and later streaming releases. Adam Rifkin directed this western comedy, which follows a schoolteacher and an outlaw travelling to the town of Fortune.
The project began with a script by Michele Rifkin, written 37 years ago, and was originally planned for Malcolm McDowell and Bill Paxton. After the deaths of intended director Lindsay Anderson and, later, Bill Paxton, the film was revived with Bill’s son James taking the role.
The film’s long path to production links its cast across generations, while its release brings it to cinemas before streaming. McDowell, also known for “A Clockwork Orange”, is among the central performers.