Screenwriting duo Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman are no strangers to Hollywood blockbusters. As producers and writers, their filmography includes 2005’s “Zorro,” “Mission: Impossible III,” Transformers” and J.J. Abrams’ acclaimed “Star Trek” reboot, to name just a few.
The hot duo is currently at work with Jon Favreau on the ambitious “Cowboys & Aliens,” based on the graphic novel by Scott Mitchell Rosenberg. The Playlist caught up with the guys at Comic-Con just after the film’s stars took the stage in Hall H, including a surprise appearance from SDCC first-timer Harrison Ford (we spoke to Favreau as well).
We first asked them about the triple threat challenge of tacking a western, period piece and science fiction storyline all wrapped into one movie. “It would be far more challenging if we didn’t also have the sci-fi aspect,” Kurtzman responds. “Because the reality is, it’s true, you don’t get the opportunity to really make a western, but the fact that it’s also an alien movie is the bridge that allows you to make the movie and also allows the modern audience to experience a western and understand what westerns were about back in the day.”
The shoot is taking place on location in New Mexico, which creates some striking landscapes to build scenes around. “In terms of production, it’s a period piece but a lot of the natural world is the backdrop,” says Orci. “Some beautiful real locations in New Mexico. We were really taking a lesson from John Ford where the most amazing special effect is the actual backdrop of where you’re really shooting. So that helps us a lot. It’s not building fake rocks. The hard part’s just getting there.”
In a recent interview, Sam Rockwell mentioned these aliens are a far cry from “E.T.” “The standard that we held the movie to tonally was, imagine you’re watching ‘Unforgiven’ and then the alien from ‘Alien’ lands,” says Kurtzman. “How would that work?” When asked to name the movies to influence Cowboys, the writers rattled off a list of their favorites: “The Searchers,” “The Professionals,” “Aliens,” “Predator,” “The Magnificent Seven,” “High Noon” and “Red River.”
Up next for Orci and Kurtzman is a pretty stellar slate including “Star Trek 2” and “Matt Helm,” but the duo was mum on progress. We pressed for a little info on Helm, but they would not confirm or deny our report that said Bradley Cooper would be stepping into the shoes originally filled by Dean Martin. “We have no cast right now,” says a coy Orci.
“We’re sort of waiting right now,” adds Kurtzman. “[Steven] Spielberg is a producer along with us for DreamWorks. When he says, ‘Okay, I’m ready,’ we’ll be there.” — Jeff Otto
