Oscar-Winning Actor Jeff Bridges Talks About True Grit in Cowboys & Indians Magazine

Online, October 14, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Most actors might be intimidated by the challenge of portraying a character already played to Oscar-winning perfection by the late, great John Wayne. But as Jeff Bridges notes in the December issue of Cowboys & Indians, The Premier Magazine of the West, he's taking a very different approach to the role of Marshal "Rooster" Cogburn in the upcoming remake of True Grit. And the remake itself, directed by Oscar-winning filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen (No Country for Old Men) isn't quite the same as the 1969 version that showcased The Duke as the hard-bitten lawman.

Described as a more faithful adaptation of the 1968 novel by Charles Portis, the new True Grit shifts the primary focus to Portis' young protagonist and narrator: Mattie Ross, a spunky 14-year-old girl (played in the remake by newcomer Hailee Steinfeld) who undertakes a quest to avenge her father's death. "Cogburn is hired by Mattie to go after the murderer of her father," Bridges tells C&I writer Wendy Wilkinson, "and they have to travel from Arkansas deep into Oklahoma's Indian Territory. I partner up with Matt Damon's character, La Boeuf, a Texas Ranger, and the three of us ride on together."

All three characters, Bridges says, "have their own brand of 'true grit.' " And if Cogburn seems a tad bit grittier than the others, that's intentional: "I'm supposed to be the meanest and toughest of all the hombres in that town."

Bridges displayed ample grit of his own when he agreed to ride tall and shoot straight just like Wayne during the remake's final gunfight. "I got to do the classic reins-in-my-mouth riding while firing the guns when we were in hot pursuit of Tom Chaney," the bad guy played by Josh Brolin. "I tried these tricky moves on a mechanical horse first," Bridges admits, "before Joel Coen asked if I wanted to try it for real."

Elsewhere in the December issue of Cowboys & Indians, Pam Minick - Cowgirl Hall of Famer, former Miss Rodeo America, and longtime rodeo commentator - previews the National Finals Rodeo, set for December in Las Vegas, and handicaps some of the key competitions. And if that's not enough to get you all ready to rodeo, C&I film historian David Hofstede offers a list of 10 of the most memorable movies about the rodeo life.

Hofstede also presents "Cowboy Christmas Classics," a guide to the best feature films and TV series episodes suitable for family viewing during the holiday season. You can watch them before or after you complete your holiday shopping. And to help you with that seasonal chore, the December issue features the largest-ever C&I holiday gift guide, with suggestions for everyone on your gift-giving list.

But wait, there's more: Texas country music artist Granger Smith talks about his strong ties to the Lone Star State, Oklahoma bootmaker Lisa Sorrell proudly displays her popular custom-made products, cowboy poet and C&I contributor Red Steagall chats with celebrated former Texas Ranger Joaquin Jackson, and writer Ellise Pierce profiles the family behind the Double D Ranch brand of Western fashion.

Published eight times per year, Cowboys & Indians is an international magazine of the highest quality covering the past, present, and future of the American West. Printed copies are available at fine newsstands everywhere, and electronic editions are available through Zinio.com.