Stephen Lang Returns to Gettysburg with Jake Busey and Bruce Boxleitner in Civil War Drama GETTYSBURG 1863
More than three decades after marching onto the battlefield in one of the most iconic Civil War films ever made, Stephen Lang is heading back to Gettysburg. This time, the veteran actor is tackling the conflict from a very different angle in the indie historical drama Gettysburg 1863.
Lang headlines a strong ensemble that includes Jake Busey, Bruce Boxleitner, Samuel Roukin, Shannon Lucio, Eric Nelsen, and Drew Seltzer. Production is currently underway in Pennsylvania, placing the film right in the shadow of the history it aims to explore.
Rather than focusing on generals and sweeping military strategy, Gettysburg 1863 focuses on the human cost of the war. The story follows a local Gettysburg family caught in the chaos as the town becomes a flashpoint of American history.
Alongside the looming battle, the film weaves in the moral dangers of the Underground Railroad and the inner conflict of a Union soldier struggling to balance duty with compassion.
For Lang, the project carries a sense of full-circle significance. He famously portrayed Confederate General George Edward Pickett in New Line Cinema’s Gettysburg back in 1993. Since then, Lang’s career has spanned decades, with recent audiences recognizing him as Colonel Quaritch in James Cameron’s Avatar franchise.
In Gettysburg 1863, Lang portrays John L. Burns, a real-life Gettysburg resident whose legend has endured for generations. Burns was an elderly civilian who grabbed his musket and fought alongside Union soldiers during the battle, suffering multiple gunshot wounds in the process.
His bravery earned him national attention, including a meeting with President Abraham Lincoln, and he became a powerful symbol of patriotism and resolve.
With a cast packed with familiar genre faces and a grounded, character-driven approach to one of America’s most studied battles, Gettysburg 1863 looks to offer a more intimate perspective on history.
Source: Deadline