Yellowstone Prequel 1883 Adds A Seriously Huge Name To Its Cast

Thornton's done Westerns before, though most of them have tended to be a little off-beat. After a small part in 1993's "Tombstone," Thornton appeared in Jim Jarmusch's surrealist Western "Dead Man" and 2004's "The Alamo." He also directed "All the Pretty Horses," based on a Cormac McCarthy novel.

Regardless of where they meet Marshal Courtright, it seems likely this older branch of the Dutton family is also going to find itself up to its eyeballs in drama and scandal, given the family name, and the involvement of original "Yellowstone" creator Taylor Sheridan. Much of the original "Yellowstone" series features John Dutton (Kevin Costner) and his children defending the ranch from outside interests, so it will be interesting to see what a series looks like when the Duttons are playing offense, trying to amass the land that will one day bear the family name.

Montana in 1883 may be the frontier, but James and Margaret probably won't be handed a gigantic land grant. There will certainly be some Native Americans who have their own uses for and history with the land. How the series addresses that accumulation of resources will be fascinating, and perhaps a little bittersweet.

"1883" will premiere on Paramount+ December 19.