The Western role that Kevin Costner once described as perfect

After the huge summer of 1984 (fueled by the unique blockbusters “Ghostbusters,” “Gremlins” and the highly anticipated “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom”), Hollywood had high hopes for Season 85. Among the things that were certain (“Rambo: First Blood Part II” and the James Bond film “A Look to Kill”) and then unknown quantities (“Back to the Future” and “Gremlins”), the industry was promoting the return of the Western. With the duet “Pale Rider” by Clint Eastwood and “Silverado” by Kasdan.

While “Pale Rider” was a huge success for its modest cost, “Silverado,” which came off as a big Hawks drama with its lead quartet of Kevin Kline, Scott Glenn, Danny Glover and Costner, grossed a disappointing $32 million last year. United States with a budget of $25 million. It turned out that Western was where it had been since the 1970s: profitable as long as Clint was on the label.

Although moviegoers did not turn out in large numbers for “Silverado,” critics were generally kind and gave particular praise to the performances. And in a group of mostly familiar faces, Costner’s lively, energetic cannonball, Jake, stands out.

In a 2019 interview with Entertainment WeeklyCostner fondly remembers his time filming “Silverado.” “That was a really big moment for me, to be in the Silverado,” he said. But the role of Jake didn’t immediately seem like a perfect fit. As he told EW:

“I always felt like I would end up playing a laconic western character. And here came this juicy young man… This was a perfect role for me. I always knew he was a giant nugget in my foundation.”

Forty years later, “Silverado” still has a reputation as a satisfying, old-school Western with a touch of that naughty movie charm. It’s a Western made by a boomer who always wanted to make a Western. Obviously, Costner ended up becoming one of those same boomers with “Dances with Wolves,” “Open Range,” his “Yellowstone” tour, and, most recently, His ongoing epic, “Horizon: An American Odyssey.” Jake’s role may have been unexpected, but the genre has always suited him. “I felt really comfortable walking around bareback with him and doing crazy things,” he told EW. “You can’t help but want to be the guy riding the horse in a Western. You don’t want to give that up to your body double. You want to do it.”