Brian Skiba’s Gunslingers Delivers Redemption And Revenge
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Interview With Director Brian Skiba And Actor Jeremy Kent Jackson
Westerns are one of Hollywood’s oldest and most recognizable genres. Stories of the American frontier inspired them and have existed since the silent film era. The genre has evolved alongside the film industry.
Westerns aren’t as common today, but are still around—often mixed with other genres like crime, sci-fi, or drama. TV has played a significant role in the genre’s revival. Shows like Deadwood, Longmire, Yellowstone, and 1883 bring modern depth to classic frontier themes.
Writer/director Brian Skiba delivers Gunslingers with the resurgence of the Western genre. It is a Western that mixes old-school frontier themes with modern action. The story centers on Thomas Keller (Stephen Dorff), a former outlaw trying to live a quiet life in Redemption, Kentucky. That peace ends when his brother Robert (Jeremy Kent Jackson) arrives seeking revenge. This sets the stage for a deadly showdown. Brain hopes Gunslingers will join the lineup of classic Westerns of the past for fans to enjoy.
Brian brings some high-powered talent to the project. Stephen Dorff takes the lead as Thomas Keller, a fugitive trying to escape his violent past. Heather Graham plays Val. She is a woman from Thomas’s past. Nicolas Cage brings his signature intensity to Ben. Ben is a reformed gunslinger turned devout Christian.
We chatted with Brian Skiba and Jeremy Kent Jackson about Gunslingers. We discussed what it meant for each of them to bring the project to life.
Other key cast members include Scarlet Rose Stallone as Bella, Tzi Ma as Lin, and Costas Mandylor as Jericho. The film also features Cooper Barnes, Randall Batinkoff, William McNamara, and Mohamed Karim. Bre Blair plays Mary, Laurie Love stars as Thalia, and Ava Monroe Tadross acts as Grace. Eric Mabius, Mitchell Hoog as Jesse, Brooklen Wilkes as Hope, and Dan O’Brien as Josh are also featured. Together, this ensemble brings life to a gritty tale of revenge, redemption, and brotherhood in the Old West.
DIRECTOR/WRITER BRIAN SKIBA
Brian Skiba is a prolific director, writer, and producer known for his bold, high-impact storytelling across multiple genres. The Los Angeles Times recognized him as a “prolific genre filmmaker.” He has built a career crafting fast-paced, unforgettable cinema.
On March 7th, 2025, Skiba’s highly anticipated Western, Guns of Redemption (Shout! Factory), featuring Casper Van Dien, Jeff Fahey, and Sean Astin, opened theatrically and on-demand. Skiba’s other recent work includes Dead Man’s Hand (2024). It stars Stephen Dorff, Cole Hauser, and Jack Kilmer. This film hit #1 on iTunes’ New Western Movies chart.
One of his biggest streaming successes came in 2020. It was with his action-thriller The 2nd starring Ryan Phillippe and Casper Van Dien. The film dominated iTunes and reached #1 across ALL categories. This includes Action Films, Indie Films, and the Overall iTunes Movie Charts. This success cemented Skiba’s reputation as a filmmaker. He delivers high-octane entertainment that resonates with audiences. Off set, he’s a proud husband and father, sharing behind-the-scenes and family moments on Instagram @brian_skiba.
ACTOR /JEREMY KENT JACKSON
Jeremy Kent Jackson is an accomplished actor, educator, and entrepreneur. He’s known for his recurring role as Douglas Davenport on Disney’s Lab Rats. He did lead motion-capture work as Joker in Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. He also played the title role in Burger King’s Tiny Hands campaign. Additionally, he had guest spots on shows like You, CSI: Miami, and Drake & Josh. A SAG-AFTRA member since 1998, Jackson has worked alongside industry legends. He got his start under director David Lynch in The Straight Story.
He co-founded DiscoveryOnstage. He led drama programs at Providence High School and Studio School Los Angeles. He holds degrees in drama from the University of Oklahoma and leadership from Western Governors University. He also trained in improvisation at Brave New Workshop.
Now, he heads Actorcraft p2s, his acting studio, and serves on the Gig Harbor Film Festival board. Originally from Greeley, Colorado, he’s a husband, father, outdoor lover, and lifelong creative. Learn more at jeremykentjackson.com.
GUNSLINGERS in theaters, on demand, and digital April 11, 2025.
