The Oscar-winning actor appears in the new western set for a June 24 release.
Richard Dreyfuss is behind the bar and in the Wild West for Murder at Yellowstone City, director Richard Gray’s exceptional indie drama set for a June 24 theatrical and digital release. The Oscar-winning actor is part of a strong ensemble cast that also includes Gabriel Byrne (The Usual Suspects), Thomas Jane (Hung), Isaiah Mustafa (Shadowhunters), Anna Camp (True Blood), Tanaya Beatty (Yellowstone), Aimee Garcia (Lucifer), Emma Kenney (The Conners), Nat Wolff (The Stand) and John Ales (Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll).
Dreyfuss (pictured above with Isaiah Mustafa) joined the other actors during on-location filming at the Yellowstone Film Ranch, a western town and backlot director Gray and his team built over two years in Paradise Valley, Montana, where Gray and his young family now reside.
“After scouting almost every western town and back lot in North America,” Gray says, “we built Yellowstone City from scratch in Montana. It took over two years, with many Covid delays, but that gave us time to think about every scene, every beat, the weather — the look of each season. Watch the town grow from the ground up. The area we built in [Paradise Valley] was called Yellowstone City in the 1850s, and now it’s back.”
Murder at Yellowstone City is the first of what Gray hopes will be many features shot at the new location.
“I was so excited reading the screenplay,” the Australian-born director says. “[Scriptwriter Eric Belgau] did such a fabulous job. Murder mystery westerns are rare, that was super cool and original, but there is still such a classic western here and that’s what really impressed me. At its heart we’re dealing with fascinating characters, with major decisions to make. We’re dealing with social injustice, and what folks are prepared to do in seeking the truth. What are they prepared to do for true justice? They risk their lives, they lose their lives — our heroes ultimately aren’t prepared to stay silent, and that’s what makes this film tick. There are themes, moments and truths that are incredibly relevant, then and now.”
We spoke with Richard Dreyfuss this week about his role in Murder at Yellowstone City, and why he was eager to be a part of the film.
