Taylor Sheridan’s unlikely inspiration for a $37 million film changed his fortune forever and made Yellowstone possible

Taylor Sheridan is now a renowned filmmaker creating some of the most acclaimed projects for Paramount. The multi-talented writer/director is responsible for creating the channel’s most successful show. Yellow stone. It has also created various spin-offs and other intriguing shows that have become hits for the streamer.

Before Yellowstone, Sheridan was relatively unknown in the industry and was trying to make a name for himself in the industry. His first screenplay Sicarius directed by Denis Villeneuve turned out to be a success and he had another script for another crime drama Against all odds. The Texas-based story had to be rooted in the state’s history and the issues plaguing the population, with a city’s setting becoming the inspiration for the film.

Taylor Sheridan was inspired to Against all odds From the deserted atmosphere of Archer City

In 2014-2015, Taylor Sheridan was not the A-list filmmaker/writer he is today. He had two scripts Sicarius And Against all odds writing. Both films were box office successes, the latter being an independent film directed by David Mackenzie. The 2016 film starred Chris Pine and Ben Foster as brothers on the run from the Texas Rangers led by Jeff Bridges.

The film’s story takes place in West Texas, and Sheridan was inspired by many of the financial problems and dilemmas people faced in those areas. As a Texan himself, he had vast knowledge of the economic decline of Texas cities. For the idea of ​​the bank robbers in the film, Sheridan was inspired by experiencing the state of Archer City during one of his visits.

In an interview with Indiewire, Sheridan talked about how Archer City was like a ghost town where thieves would have a field day robbing it blind without any interruptions. This intriguing idea became the pivot of the story of Against all odds. Sheridan said:

“The towns felt physically abandoned,” he said. “Someone should rob this place blind,” I said. That’s where the idea of ​​bank robbers came from.”

As Sicarius, Against all odds became a surprise hit grossing $37 million against a production budget of $12 million (via Box Office Mojo). Sheridan made his directorial debut with Wind River, which was also a success. these regular and successful projects slowly built up Sheridan’s resume and thus led Paramount to support him in his passion project which became Yellow stone.

David Mackenzie felt in love with Hell or hell water Script in its first reading

Director David Mackenzie has joined us to direct Against all odds with Chris Pine and Jeff Bridges. The crime drama was written by Taylor Sheridan and showed the essence of the Midwest through a thrilling chase between two bank robbers and a Texas Ranger. For Mackenzie, it was love at first sight when he first read the script.

In an interview with Collider, Mackenzie praised Sheridan’s script and how it shows the heart and poetic environment of the West through its characters, while also being a gripping crime drama. The director said,

“Well, I read Taylor’s script. It was love at first sight. I had a very immediate reaction when I read it. (Hell or High Water) had this bank robbery thing, then the warmth of the characters, then the poetic space of the Midwest and its problems. The movie feels like it’s about a big topic, then it’s a movie about a bank heist and now it’s a movie about the heart of the West. I simply loved this trip.

As of 2024, Sheridan has numerous projects in development. In addition to finishing Yellow stonethe second season of 1923 And King of Tulsa are in development. He is also currently on another new crime show called Man of the law for Paramount+. Considering these projects, Sheridan is arguably the busiest person in the industry.

Fans can watch Against all odds on Paramount+.