Val Kilmer Going Back to the Wild West in THE FIRST RIDE OF WYATT EARP

Val Kilmer has taken the lead role in a new indie film project called The First Ride of Wyatt Earp, in which the actor will play Earp this time around. Kilmer previously played Doc Holiday in in the classic film Tombstone. 

The movie is based on the true story of an "elderly Earp sitting down with a reporter to reflect on the ride that made him a legend, when the young marshal rounded up a posse to track down the outlaw who mistakenly murdered the woman he loved."

The movie is being directed by Mike Feifer from a script by Darren Benjamin Shepherd, and production is currently under way in California.

Also cast in the film is Daniel Booko (Glory Daze) as Spike Kennedy, Trace Adkins (The Lincoln Lawyer) as his his father. American Idol finalist Diana DeGarmo is also onboard as the object of young Earp's affection. Matt Dallas (Kyle XY) will play Bat Masterson, and Wilson Bethel will take on Kilmer's previous role as Doc Holliday. Shawn Roberts, Stephen Grayhm, Scott Whyte and Levi Fiehler round out the young ensemble.

According to Variety, "Producers envision the pic as a 'Young Guns for the next generation,' and while Westerns are always a risky proposition for indie financiers, auds have shown renewed interest in the genre judging by the success of True Grit and Rango."

I love Westerns, but I've gotta be honest... I wasn't a big fan of the Young Guns movie franchise, so I hope this ends up being a better representation of the wild west.