In a relatively short amount of time, twenty-nine year old actor Cam Gigandet has established himself as one of the most sought after actors of his generation. He first gained attention for his role on the popular Fox series The O.C. before taking his talents to the big screen in films like Who’s Your Caddy? and Never Back Down. But it was his role as James in Twilight, the first installment of the extremely popular vampire series, which made him a household name. Since then, he has appeared in an array of popular and successful films such as Easy A, Burlesque, The Roommate, and last summer’s Priest. Now Gigandet returns to the big screen opposite Oscar winners Nicolas Cage (Leaving Las Vegas) and Nicole Kidman (The Hours) in Joel Schumacher’s (The Lost Boys) Trespass, which opens in theaters on October 14^th.

In the film, Cage plays Kyle; a successful diamond broker whose obsession with work is threatening his marriage to Sarah, played by Kidman. Things go from bad to worse quickly when Kyle’s family, including his only daughter, is suddenly taken hostage in their own home by extortionists who want Kyle’s diamonds. What seems like a simple home invasion becomes quite complicated when Kyle realizes that one of the attackers, Jonah (Gigandet), has a connection to his wife and possibly some other secrets of his own. Now Kyle must keep the burglars away from his diamonds, and unravel the mystery of Jonah and Sarah’s relationship, if he has any hope of protecting his family and surviving the terrible ordeal.

I recently had a chance to speak with Cam Gigandet about his work in the new film Trespass. The actor spoke candidly with me about the new film, what its like on a Joel Schumacher set, working with the extremely intense Nicolas Cage, Nicole Kidman’s calming effect over the cast and crew, his character’s complicated back-story, and his next project, which is a pilot for a new Western TV series on TNT.

In my opinion, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid starring screen legends Paul Newman and Robert Redford is one of the greatest Westerns ever made. Something that made that film so legendary is its ambiguous ending, which featured Butch and Sundance running guns blazing to face-off against the Bolivian Army and most likely meet their inevitable deaths. But now, a new film called Blackthorn asks the question: what if Butch Cassidy had lived?

In Blackthorn, which opens in theaters on October 7^th, Sam Shepard (Days of Heaven, Black Hawk Down) stars as Butch Cassidy who survived the shootout with the Bolivian Army and in 1908 is now living in Bolivia under the name of James Blackthorn. After Etta Place’s death, Butch decides to return to the US to live out the rest of his days with her and Sundance’s son, who may actually be his. But on the long journey home he has a chance encounter with Eduardo Apodaca (Eduardo Noriega), who has stolen $50,000, thrusting Cassidy into one final adventure. The film cuts back and forth between present day and the final days of Butch and Sundance, leading up to the shoot-out and Sundance’s death. The film is quite good and a must-see for any fan of George Roy Hill’s classic film and the real-life historical characters that these movies are based on.

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Blackthorn’s Spanish born director Mateo Gil, best known for writing Abre los ojos and its American remake Vanilla Sky. Gil spoke candidly with me about his new film, it’s connections to the Newman and Redford classic, why he almost cut the flashback scenes, the film’s music, working with the great Sam Shepard, and the legend of Butch and Sundance.

At the relatively young age of thirty-three, actor Josh Hartnett has already established an extremely impressive resume of film work appearing in such popular movies as The Virgin Suicides, Pearl Harbor, Black Hawk Down, Sin City, The Black Dahlia, and 30 Days of Night. The young actor has been fortunate enough to collaborate with some of the best directors in the industry such as Ridley Scott, Brian De Palma, Robert Rodriguez, Sophia Coppola, and Michael Bay. He’s also shared the screen with several of the most beloved actors around including Harrison Ford, Morgan Freeman, Alec Baldwin, Bruce Willis, and Ewan McGregor. Now Hartnett returns to the screen in a new movie that features an equally incredible ensemble of actors called Bunraku, which is available today on VOD and is scheduled to be release in theaters on September 30^th.

In the film, which combines elements of both the Samurai and Western genres, Hartnett plays the Drifter, a mysterious unnamed man on a mission of revenge against a crime boss named Nicola (Ron Perlman). Also in pursuit of Nicola is a samurai named Yoshi (Japanese musician Gackt), and together the two warriors unite to take down the crime boss and recover a family heirloom that he stole from Yoshi’s clan. In addition to Hartnett, Gackt, and Perlman (Drive), the film boasts an impressive cast of actors that includes Woody Harrelson (Zombieland), Kevin McKidd (Grey’s Anatomy), and Demi Moore (A Few Good Men).

Strap in ladies and gentlemen, because we're got an outstanding western trailer for Blackthorn.  Everybody who has seen Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid knows that legendary outlaw Cassidy probably got gunned down by a bunch of Bolivians.  What this film presupposes is...maybe he didn't. 

In Blackthorn, iconic actor and incredible playwright Sam Shepard plays Cassidy, and he looks as comfortable in the role as a pair of perfectly weathered chaps.  The first trailer lays out the story, which sees Cassidy traveling home to America after spending years in seclusion.  He promptly encounters an trouble, with Eduardo Noriega as a thief being pursued for a $50,000 booty he's stashed away.  Of course, Butch Cassidy isn't going to turn down one last chance to ride out on a proper adventure. 

So far, the blockbuster Cowboys & Aliens has effectively convinced film fans and comic enthusiasts that the movie starring Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford will be a serious summer actioner.  Now, the marketing bonanza is getting even more ambitious, bringing the Old West to the racetrack.  Cowboys & Aliens is the first film in NASCAR history to serve as the primary sponsor for a car over multiple racers.  Not only that, but you – that's right, you right there – can freely upload a picture that will appear on the racer driven by Mike Wallace. 

When you think of the idea of a “movie star” you still can’t help but think of John Wayne. He is truly an American iconic. It’s been over thirty years since the late Academy Award winning actor’s death but his name is still synonymous with Western themed movies. Wayne virtually invented the modern day onscreen cowboy in classic films like Rio Bravo, The Searchers, El Dorado, True Grit (the film that earned him his Oscar), and The Comancheros, which was released on Blu-ray on May 17^th.

I recently had the rare opportunity to have a conversation with the Duke’s son, Ethan Wayne about his father, and his legacy. Among other subjects we discussed the Duke’s approach to acting, his love for making Westerns, his friendship with fellow actor Robert Mitchum, and The Comancheros. Here is what he had to say:

Check out iamROGUE.com's Exclusive Interview with "True Blood" star Ryan Kwanten and the Director of his latest feature 'Red Hill, Patrick Hughes!

Red Hill is a terrific surprise! Patrick Hughes feature film debut has elements of The Coen Brothers with his own personal style set in for good measure. This modern day western reaches to some impressive heights. There is humor and a even a little bit of horror as this genre bending gem of a movie shines as one of the most exciting films of the year.

New images from The Warrior’s Way are appearing all over the web. The martial arts flick with a western flair definitely looks like fun (from the awesome trailer) and features a number of familiar faces including Kate Bosworth, Danny Huston and Geoffrey Rush.

Check out an exclusive look at some of the posters and screen shots of the film.

The Warrior’s Way opens Dec. 3. Will you be there to check it out?

Writer/director Patrick Hughes did something incredibly brave when he made Red Hill. He fashioned a film that in spirit and atmosphere feels very close to a Coen Brothers movie. It feels at times like a cross between Blood Simple and No Country for Old Men. The landscape and the use of color are very intriguing as the film grows darker and darker during its progression. While the Coen influence is clear, Hughes was able to use that and still create his own vision.

Shane and Alice Cooper (Ryan Kwanten and Claire van der Boom) are starting a new life in a peaceful little town. Shane has just signed on as Constable for the local law enforcement, yet he can’t even find his own gun. No sooner than when he arrives at the station, there is something evil brewing in the air. A man named Jimmy (Tommy Lewis) has escaped out of prison, and the locals have good reason to suspect he’s going to be heading their way.

If you are over the age of 18, it's pretty likely that you have played the video game Oregon Trail at some point in your life. The educational video game probably stirs up an enormous sense of nostalgia for the good 'ole days of your childhood. So, if you were to be told that the game was being made into a big budget Hollywood film, would you be excited?