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Joe Cornet On His New Film Gunfight at Rio Bravo, Sequel Plans & More
Image Credit: Shout! Factory
The 411 Interview: Joe Cornet
Joe Cornet is an actor, director, and producer who has been making movies, according to imdb.com, since at least 2018. Cornet has directed and acted in such movies as A Prayer for the Damned, Incident at Guilt Ridge, and Promise. Cornet’s latest effort is the low budget western action flick Gunfight at Rio Bravo featuring action stars Alexander Nevsky, Olivier Gruner, and Mathias Hues, which is available on DVD, Digital, and Video on Demand starting January 17th, 2023. In this interview, Cornet talks with this writer about making Gunfight at Rio Bravo, working with action stars like Nevsky, Gruner, and Hues, the western genre in general, and more.
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Bryan Kristopowitz: Why did you want Gunfight at Rio Bravo to be your next movie as a director?
Joe Cornet: I was introduced to Alexander Nevsky by our mutual friend, the film composer Sean Murray. Sean had scored five films for Alexander and was just finishing a score for my latest western, Promise. He thought it a good idea that the two of us should meet. We did and hit it off immediately. Before I knew it, Alexander had the idea of combining a classic action film with a classic western. The idea appealed to me. Other than a few exceptions over the years, the blending of these two genres was a rarity. Why not combine these two classic genres? Sounded like good fun to me!
BK: The movie was originally called Assault on Rio Bravo. Why was the title changed?
JC: We changed the title as it reflected more of the story and the action of the finished film. It also made it more in the flavor of a classic western.
BK: On top of directing you also act in Gunfight at Rio Bravo. How did you approach your character Sheriff Vernon Kelly?
JC: I had been playing steely eyed, morally ambiguous gunfighter types in previous westerns. I decided a different approach was necessary for Sheriff Kelly. He certainly has a dark past, which he is constantly dealing with, but he has more humanity and emotion. He is also deadly and a bad ass!
BK: Where was Gunfight at Rio Bravo filmed? How did you decide on the overall look of the movie?
JC: We shot Gunfight at Rio Bravo at one of my favorite film locations, Gammons’ Gulch, a fully dressed western town in southern Arizona. It is surrounded by magnificent vistas and hills so it is kind of a one stop shop. Plus, I have access to some of the best wranglers I have ever worked with. We also hired many local actors, some from the legendary Tombstone. I had everything I wanted in just one location! For the overall look, I definitely wanted the “spaghetti western” vibe with a touch of Howard Hawks. I was thrilled that Gammons Gulch has a sheriff’s office which is an almost exact double for the one in the 1959 classic film Rio Bravo!
BK: Describe your working relationship with star Alexander Nevsky, who also produced the movie and co-wrote the story.
JC: Alexander and I are very close so we have an amazing working relationship. He is a tremendous actor with great range and focus. He spent many hours working with the period weapons as well as with horses to get a feel for what we were trying to do. It is one of the most rewarding partnerships I have yet experienced. He nailed this character! He handles the action! Audiences will agree.
BK: How did you cast Gunfight at Rio Bravo? What was it like working with action stars Olivier Gruner and Mathias Hues?
JC: I cast a few of my regular “stock players” as I call them. I also wanted some actors I have never worked with but always wanted to. Kerry Goodwin, Natalie Denise Sperl, Anna Oris, Curt Lambert and John Fallon are all excellent! As for Matthias Hues and Olivier Gruner, I have long been a fan of Dark Angel and Savate. It was a thrill for me to get these two action giants.
BK: You’ve worked with him several times now. Describe your working relationship with John Marrs, who plays villain Grady.
JC: John Marrs is one of the most fun and reliable actors I have ever known. Give him a script and just watch what he does with the character! John is well informed on western traditions and an expert with weapons and horses. All I can say is if you’re shooting a western, hire this guy. In fact, he can do many other genres as well. He never disappoints.
BK: How long did it take to make Gunfight at Rio Bravo, from finishing the screenplay to completing post-production?
JC: We worked on this film for about a year which covers post production, scoring, etc.
BK: You’ve made several westerns. What do you like about the genre? What’s the hardest part of making a western?
JC: I like working in the western genre because it is timeless, it transcends all other genres. It contains the classic themes of good vs. evil, physical and moral challenges, honor and heroism. I liken it to Greek Mythology. It never goes out of style. I suppose the hardest part about making one of these is the physical action and working in remote locations that are often hovering at over 100 degrees!
BK: Any moviemaking heroes?
JC: Moviemaking heroes? Here’s a short list, their influence should be obvious: Sergio Leone, Sam Peckinpah, Clint Eastwood, John Ford, Howard Hawks, and Andrew V. McLaglen.
BK: Any upcoming projects you can tell us about?
JC: Two films I would like to mention we have upcoming are Night of the Caregiver and Taken from Rio Bravo. The first film is a very creepy story of the paranormal with a dash of Satanism thrown in! It stars Natalie Denise Sperl and Eileen Dietz (The Exorcist). The second is our sequel to Gunfight.
BK: What do you hope audiences get out of Gunfight at Rio Bravo?
JC: I hope they have fun!
BK: What can we expect to see in the sequel Taken from Rio Bravo?
JC: Some of the characters you met in the first one will be back. There will be new and intriguing characters as well as some of the most depraved villains who ever rode through the Old West. Expect more action choreographed by the legendary fight/stunt expert Art Camacho. This new story takes the action out to some sweeping exteriors!
BK: What is your favorite western?
JC: I can only answer that question as to what my favorite western is of the moment: The Outlaw Josey Wales. Next week it might be The Searchers. It depends on my mood!
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A very special thanks to Joe Cornet for agreeing to participate in this interview and to david j. moore for setting it up.
Gunfight at Rio Bravo is available on DVD, Digital, and Video On Demand starting January 17th, 2023. Buy the DVD here!
Check out my review of Gunfight at Rio Bravo here!
Check out the official Shout! Factory website for the movie here!
Check out Joe Cornet’s Facebook page here!
