Paladin

[Highwall]

When I was a kid one of my favorite TV westerns was Paladin. Clay Alexander was a highly sofisticated gentleman in San Franciso and also a deadly hired fast gun in the wild west.

I really think the story was great and would like to see a Paladin movie made today. But who could play the lead part?

Richard Boone was a rough looking character that also could come across as a fine gentleman.

My first thought is Viggo Mortensen but he might be to old for the part now. 

Matthew McConaughey?  

Any thoughts? 

[DukeSoprano]

 

[Rip Snorter]

10 minutes ago, Highwall said:

When I was a kid one of my favorite TV westerns was Paladin. Clay Alexander was a highly sofisticated gentleman in San Franciso and also a deadly hired fast gun in the wild west.

I really think the story was great and would like to see a Paladin movie made today. But who could play the lead part?

Richard Boone was a rough looking character that also could come across as a fine gentleman.

My first thought is Viggo Mortensen but he might be to old for the part now. 

Matthew McConaughey?  

Any thoughts? 

Your post triggered an urge to know more about Richard Boone.  Bit of a rabbit hole, but interesting and impressive.  Well worth the time.

[Highwall]

His second series on TV was Hec Ramsey and he was a stellar preformer but the series didn't last long thanks to Hollywood starting up the woke times.

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

51 minutes ago, Highwall said:

When I was a kid one of my favorite TV westerns was Paladin. Clay Alexander was a highly sofisticated gentleman in San Franciso and also a deadly hired fast gun in the wild west.

Who is Clay Alexander?

[Rip Snorter]

9 minutes ago, Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L said:

Who is Clay Alexander?

 

This character, whose real name was revealed in a novelization as Clay Alexander, was a troubleshooter who answered distress calls, often using his skills as a marksman and detective.

[Highwall]

5 minutes ago, Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L said:

Who is Clay Alexander?

He was a gambler that became Paladin. I finally found the first episode where he took over the name Paladin from a man dressed in black that was haunting him for a poker debt.

[watab kid]

i very much was a fan of paladin as a younger person , as was my fathger , as to who might play him today - i cant think of anyone , had to be able to be both the refined gentalman of san francisco and the tough guy fast gun of the wild west , not an easy part to fill but richard boone did it very well , 

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

There is/was a SASS shooter whose alias was Wire Paladin, since that's what it said on his business card.   I was never sure if he was serious when he chose it or as a joke.  He hasn't been on the Wire since 2012, not sure if he's still with us.

 

As for a re-make, I think Ethan Hawke could be good.  He's 54 but could look younger.  Or just get Robert Duval to do it and name it Have Codger Will Travel. 

 

Or really, just any of the "old guys" and it could be the old familiar plot "long-retired and comfortable but has to go rescue a granddaughter or such."

[Doc Eagle]

My pick would be Bob Thornton.  The Sheriff character he played in 1887 was a small part but a perfect example of his acting prowess.  He goes from a civilized composed lawman to a cold blooded killer in a nanosecond 👍

[Highwall]

My wife thinks Ethan Hawke would make a good Paladin.

[Doc Eagle]

Oh Ethan Hawke is a definitely good one!

[Doc Eagle]

How about Kevin Bacon?

[Highwall]

Sadly, most of our favorite actors are too old to play the part. I reckon that is a tell tale story of  SASS today. 

We really need the help of movie land to revitalize the western venue.

We need a resemblace of  the classic "Once a time in the West!" updated to today's solid acting characters.

 

Edited September 6, 2025 by Highwall
make adjustments

[Rye Miles #13621]

22 minutes ago, Doc Eagle said:

How about Kevin Bacon?

Sure and antigun ultra liberal whacko! 

[Rye Miles #13621]

Keanu Reeves

[Doc Eagle]

11 minutes ago, Rye Miles #13621 said:

Sure and antigun ultra liberal whacko! 

Didn’t know.  Don’t care.  Everyone is entitled to their belief system even when I don’t agree with it.  I’m a hardcore conservative constitutionalist.  And yet, mot everything has to come down to politics for me.

[SouthwestShooter]

3 hours ago, Highwall said:

When I was a kid one of my favorite TV westerns was Paladin. Clay Alexander was a highly sofisticated gentleman in San Franciso and also a deadly hired fast gun in the wild west.

I really think the story was great and would like to see a Paladin movie made today. But who could play the lead part?

Richard Boone was a rough looking character that also could come across as a fine gentleman.

My first thought is Viggo Mortensen but he might be to old for the part now. 

Matthew McConaughey?  

Any thoughts? 

Me

[Rye Miles #13621]

11 minutes ago, Doc Eagle said:

Didn’t know.  Don’t care.  Everyone is entitled to their belief system even when I don’t agree with it.  I’m a hardcore conservative constitutionalist.  And yet, mot everything has to come down to politics for me.

I don’t care what they believe either but when they broadcast their liberal and antigun views then I’m done with them. Casting an antigunner in the role of someone who makes a living with a gun like Paladin is just too much for me! 

[Doc Eagle]

We all have our thresholds….  I didn’t think this could turn into a political discussion or I would not have commented at all.  I’m out.  Thanks 

[Ozark Huckleberry]

Chris Pratt

 

[Blackwater 53393]

Richard Boone was forty years old when the Have Gun Will Travel series began.

 

A new actor for the character should probably be of similar age.  My original thought was Kiefer Sutherland. He does hard core rugged very well and also portrays the proper gentleman with equal aplomb. But he is now fifty-eight and perhaps a little “long in the tooth” for the role.

 

Keanu Reeves could certainly portray the character. He too is a little old at sixty-one! It might take a little getting used to by our generation to get past the difference in build, but the original show is more than sixty years old, so a new generation wouldn’t have that issue.

 

He would certainly have the “star power” to draw an audience, but the writing and plot would have to be very carefully crafted to make the show work and it would need to be done without a huge amount of today’s over the top special effects!

 

 

Edited September 6, 2025 by Blackwater 53393

[Blackwater 53393]

What about Scott Eastwood? He’s about the right age, right around forty and he isn’t so well known for other roles that he’d be unbelievable. 
 

 

[Rye Miles #13621]

1 hour ago, Blackwater 53393 said:

Richard Boone was forty years old when the Have Gun Will Travel series began.

 

A new actor for the character should probably be of similar age.  My original thought was Kiefer Sutherland. He does hard core rugged very well and also portrays the proper gentleman with equal aplomb. But he is now fifty-eight and perhaps a little “long in the tooth” for the role.

 

Keanu Reeves could certainly portray the character. He too is a little old at sixty-one! It might take a little getting used to by our generation to get past the difference in build, but the original show is more than sixty years old, so a new generation wouldn’t have that issue.

 

He would certainly have the “star power” to draw an audience, but the writing and plot would have to be very carefully crafted to make the show work and it would need to be done without a huge amount of today’s over the top special effects!

 

 

I had no idea Keanu Reeves was 61! He’s a pretty young lookin 61, I think he could pull it off! Richard Boone always looked older to me. He had that rough looking face and portrayed a bad guy real good in a couple flicks.

[Smokin Gator SASS #29736]

12 hours ago, Doc Eagle said:

My pick would be Bob Thornton.  The Sheriff character he played in 1887 was a small part but a perfect example of his acting prowess.  He goes from a civilized composed lawman to a cold blooded killer in a nanosecond 👍

 

He was fantastic in that part. Made m e want a movie or series featuring that character. 

[Stump Water]

Nothing to do with a Paladin do-over, but Selleck says he's ready to work again.

 

“A good Western’s always on my list,” he says. “I miss that; I want to sit on a horse again.”

 

https://parade.com/tv/tom-selleck-blue-bloods-series-finale-interview

[Rye Miles #13621]

13 minutes ago, Stump Water said:

Nothing to do with a Paladin do-over, but Selleck says he's ready to work again.

 

“A good Western’s always on my list,” he says. “I miss that; I want to sit on a horse again.”

 

https://parade.com/tv/tom-selleck-blue-bloods-series-finale-interview

He could play Paladin’s dad! 😂😂😂

[Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770]

1 hour ago, Stump Water said:

Nothing to do with a Paladin do-over, but Selleck says he's ready to work again.

 

“A good Western’s always on my list,” he says. “I miss that; I want to sit on a horse again.”

 

https://parade.com/tv/tom-selleck-blue-bloods-series-finale-interview

I believe that he's got a new "Jesse Stone" in the works.

[Rye Miles #13621]

1 hour ago, Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770 said:

I believe that he's got a new "Jesse Stone" in the works.

That’s a great series!🤠

[Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967]

Just discussing this with Sassparilla Kid, as he's just driving through Memphis en route to West "By God!" Virginia...

 

He suggested Bradley Cooper ~ I remember him as playing Chris Kyle in American Sniper.  I thought he did well, but some might have issues with some of his personal views.

 

              

 

Another suggestion he came up with is John Krasinski, most known for the Jack Ryan series.  I'm thinking not a bad choice....

 

         

 

[J-BAR #18287]

Richard Boone was unique,  I don't think he could be duplicated.  The Have Gun Will Travel shows are good enough as they are,  no need to repeat them either.

 

But if you remember Christian Bale as Joe Blocker in Hostiles,  he could be a candidate.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 7, 2025 by J-BAR #18287

[Rye Miles #13621]

33 minutes ago, J-BAR #18287 said:

Richard Boone was unique,  I don't think he could be duplicated.  The Have Gun Will Travel shows are good enough as they are,  no need to repeat them either.

 

But if you remember Christian Bale as Joe Blocker in Hostiles,  he could be a candidate.

 

 

 

 

 

Christian was great in that movie! I agree he’d be a good Paladin!

[Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967]

2 hours ago, J-BAR #18287 said:

Richard Boone was unique,  I don't think he could be duplicated.  The Have Gun Will Travel shows are good enough as they are,  no need to repeat them either.

 

But if you remember Christian Bale as Joe Blocker in Hostiles,  he could be a candidate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bale's consistently good at his job... although I think might have been a tiny bit weak in his portrayal of Dieter Dengler in Rescue Dawn.  He'd likely do well as Paladin.

[Highwall]

We need to find a real hard ass to fill the part of Palidan. I'm thinking maybe Tom Hardy fits the part!👍☺️

[watab kid]

On 9/5/2025 at 8:53 PM, Abilene, SASS # 27489 said:

There is/was a SASS shooter whose alias was Wire Paladin, since that's what it said on his business card.   I was never sure if he was serious when he chose it or as a joke.  He hasn't been on the Wire since 2012, not sure if he's still with us.

 

As for a re-make, I think Ethan Hawke could be good.  He's 54 but could look younger.  Or just get Robert Duval to do it and name it Have Codger Will Travel. 

 

Or really, just any of the "old guys" and it could be the old familiar plot "long-retired and comfortable but has to go rescue a granddaughter or such."

iu used to think those here were SASS shooters , but recently learned thats not true , im not finding fault here but i have become wary of any that say they shoot till i get to know them better , noyt that i have an issue with non-shooters being here , i dont , just dont represent yourselves as SASS members if your not - badge numbers are not a joke to those of us that pay/paid to be members , 

dont pretend - its all im asking , otherwise stay in your mothers basement with your tinfoil hats , 

 

i know i got off topic - excuse me , i just had a burr under my saddle