July 11th 2024.
James Paxton, son of the legendary Hollywood actor Bill Paxton, is carrying on his father's legacy in the entertainment industry. He has recently been cast in the lead role of the upcoming Western film, Last Train to Fortune, which was originally meant to feature his late father in the 1990s.
Bill Paxton, who passed away at the age of 61 in 2017 from a stroke, was known for his iconic performances in films such as Twister, Titanic, Aliens, and Apollo 13. However, there was one project that he was meant to star in but unfortunately never came to fruition - Last Train to Fortune.
English actor Malcolm McDowell, 81, has now revealed that the project will finally be released this autumn with one crucial difference. James, who is 30 years old, will be taking on the role of outlaw Jedidiah Dooley, which was originally meant for his father.
"I suggested, 'Why don't we get James Paxton to do it? He would be the same age as his dad was, almost. A little bit younger, but even better,'" Malcolm shared, while reminiscing about the early 1990s when he had planned to make the film with director Lindsay Anderson, alongside the late Bill Paxton. Sadly, Lindsay passed away in 1994 before production could begin.
Malcolm also recalled a read-through of the script at his house, where everyone was blown away by James' performance. "It's pretty good when you hear it aloud for the first time," he added.
James has followed in his father's footsteps from a young age and has already made a name for himself in the industry. He has appeared in popular projects such as Spy Kids 3, The Greatest Game Ever Played, and even starred in the Marvel series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D as John Garrett.
Most recently, he had a minor role in the long-awaited sequel to the 1996 classic Twister, titled Twisters, alongside Daisy Edgar-Jones and Glen Powell. It was a special project for James, as his father had played the lead role in the original film.
In an interview with Variety, James opened up about what it meant to him to honor his father's legacy on screen. "It's been really hard, like a long time coming to be able to talk about the loss of my dad, for myself and my family," he shared. He also mentioned how he has channeled his emotions into his work and how it has helped him cope with his father's absence.
Last Train to Fortune was written by director Adam Rifkin's mother Michele Rifkin 37 years ago. After Bill's unexpected passing in 2017, a second attempt to make the film was also scrapped. However, now with James on board, the project is finally moving forward.
"I say with utter confidence that this is one of the most powerful performances Malcolm McDowell has given in his storied career. And James Paxton is a revelation," Adam told Deadline.
The Western follows the story of Cecil Peachtree, a strict schoolmaster who misses the last train to Fortune and ends up hitching a ride with an outlaw named Dooley. As they embark on their journey, they encounter gunfights, jailbreaks, and saloon gals, forming an unlikely bond along the way. The film also stars Bernadette Peters, Laura Marano, and Malcolm's wife Mary Steenburgen.
Before his passing, Bill had the chance to work with his son on the CBS show Training Day. He had expressed his joy at having James as a guest star on the eighth episode, where they played a father-son robbery team. "It was surreal saying [lines] to him," Bill had shared with People at the time.
There is currently no confirmed release date for Last Train to Fortune, but fans are eagerly waiting to see James Paxton take on a role that was originally meant for his father. As Malcolm McDowell said, "Of course, [there is] the weight of his dad, but that's every day in life he's had that, and he's a very fine young actor."
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