Steven Spielberg Says He’s in Development on a “Kick-Ass” Western Movie
The veteran filmmaker revealed the intriguing idea at the recent SXSW film festival panel, but didn’t offer too many details on the movie itself.
Steven Spielberg arrives on the red carpet of the 98th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Credit/Provider: Etienne Laurent / The Academy. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
Preview:
- Steven Spielberg is developing a Western.
- He made the announcement at a film festival.
- His latest, ‘Disclosure Day,’ arrives on June 12.
In his long career, filmmaker Steven Spielberg has tackled a number of different genres, from thrillers to adventures and historical dramas.
Yet despite his long-held love of John Ford (as shown in the final moments of semi-autobiographical pic ‘The Fabelmans’), he has never brought us a full-on Western.
Speaking at a live taping of “The Big Picture” with Sean Fennessey at SXSW (as reported by The Playlist), Spielberg dropped word that he’s finally looking into one, revealing that he’s in development on what he calls a “kick ass” example of the genre.
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What’s the story of Steven Spielberg’s Western movie?
Steven Spielberg arrives on the red carpet at the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards, airing live from the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California on Sunday, January 7, 2024, at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT, on CBS and streaming on Paramount+. Photo: Trae Patton/CBS ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
That’s what we don’t know so far: Spielberg isn’t saying much yet. All he has really said is that it will sidestep stereotypes and tropes, but will still feature horses and guns in true Western style.
There’s also no word on who else might be working on this one, and it’s certainly too early for any casting announcements. But given how strongly Western influences have appeared through the director’s work, it’s certainly an appealing concept.
When will Steven Spielberg’s Western be in theaters?
Steven Spielberg in 'Mr. Scorsese,' premiering October 17, 2025 on Apple TV+.
There is no production timeline for this one yet, and the director tends to juggle several projects in development at once.
His latest, alien contact sci-fi thriller ‘Disclosure Day’ will be with us on June 12. Watch the skies! Er... the screens?
Emily Blunt in 'Disclosure Day', directed by Steven Spielberg. Photo: Universal Pictures.
List of Steven Spielberg Movies:
- 'Jaws' (1975)
- 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' (1977)
- 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' (1981)
- 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial' (1982)
- 'Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom' (1984)
- 'The Color Purple' (1985)
- 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade' (1989)
- 'Jurassic Park' (1993)
- 'Schindler's List' (1993)
- 'The Lost World: Jurassic Park' (1997)
- 'Saving Private Ryan' (1998)
- 'A.I. Artificial Intelligence' (2001)
- 'Minority Report' (2002)
- 'Catch Me If You Can' (2002)
- 'War of the Worlds' (2005)
- 'Munich' (2005)
- 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' (2008)
- 'The Adventures of Tintin' (2011)
- 'War Horse' (2011)
- 'Lincoln' (2012)
- 'Bridge of Spies' (2015)
- 'The BFG' (2016)
- 'The Post' (2018)
- 'Ready Player One' (2018)
- 'West Side Story' (2021)
- 'The Fabelmans' (2022)
- 'Disclosure Day' (2026)
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