Ned Dennehy stars with James Hetfield and Peter Dinklage in new western, The Thicket

Irish actor Ned Dennehy joined The Walking Dead universe in his portrayal of RJ Gaines, an American stuck in France before the outbreak who would encounter Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus) in season 1 of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon. Dennehy is well known for many roles, and next, he will star in the western The Thicket.

The film is a dark western thriller based on a novel by Joe R. Lansdale. It was directed by Elliott Lester, known for his movie Blitz, and written by Cristopher Kelley. It has been in development for years but was significantly impacted by the pandemic in 2020. The Thicket reimages the genre, showcasing a fresh and unique take. Lester shared more about the film with Collider.

"By introducing never-before-seen characters like Cut Throat Bill and Reginald Jones, the film offers a distinct narrative and perspective, diverging from traditional western tropes. Our goal was to transform the familiar elements of the genre and present them in an entirely new light, immersing the audience in a darker, more atmospheric world that captures the harshness of the environment. This innovative approach allows viewers to experience the western genre in a way they never have before, blending the nostalgia of classic westerns with a bold, modern twist."

- Elliott Lester - director

Emmy-winning Peter Dinklage, who has been tied to the movie since 2014, portrays Reginald Jones, a seasoned bounty hunter who searches for a missing woman who was abducted by a violent killer. Set at the turn of the century, the story follows Jones and his ragtag crew as they travel to Big Thicket, an unlawful place known to be extremely violent and unruly.

The story follows Jack (Levon Hawke - son of Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman) as he tracks down his sister Lula (Esme Creed-Miles) after she is abducted by a notorious group led by Juliette Lewis' Cut Throat Bill. Jack enlists the help of Jones and his companions, a grave-digging son of an ex-slave (Gbenga Akinnagbe, and a street-wise prostitute (Leslie Grace).

The film also stars Dennehy, Macon Blair, Andrew Schulz, Arliss Howard, and David Midthunder. Another notable cast member is Metallica frontman James Hetfield, who has appeared in cameos or voice roles in Billions, The Simpsons, and Metalocalypse.

Collider reports that The Thicket will premiere on Tubi on September 6. Check out the first-look images below.

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