Fans Are Freaking Out as ‘Yellowstone’ and ‘1923’ Stars Unite In Paramount’s New Western Thriller

A new Western is collecting Yellowstone franchise stars. The Taylor Sheridan empire at Paramount has led to the Yellowstone franchise becoming one of the most successful franchises in recent TV history, with numerous spinoffs already released and more on the way. It has also led to a whole generation of Western stars, who have gone on to new projects in the genre.

Multiple Yellowstone series have already finished their runs, such as the flagship show and the 1883 and 1923 spinoffs. As such, fans are interested in seeing more from actors in those projects in new Western series and movies, as well as other pockets of Sheridan’s TV empire. While The Rescue is not created by the Yellowstone boss, it hails from Paramount with franchise stars.

According to Deadline, 1923‘s Brandon Sklenar and Yellowstone’s Hassie Harrison are joining forces for the modern Western movie The Rescue.

The film will be directed by Old Henry‘s Potsy Ponciroli, with John Fusco writing the script. Sklenar famously played Spencer Dutton in the two seasons of 1923, while Harrison gave life to ranch hand Laramie in Yellowstone.

The Rescue is aiming for a summer 2026 filming start. The Rescue story details reveal that it focuses on a rodeo cowboy whose skills are tested outside the arena, setting up this Western thriller nicely. The Western has been in development for some time, dating back to the days before the Paramount-Skydance merger, which was finalized on August 7, 2025.

Director Potsy Ponciroli’s latest movie was 2025’s Motor City, which starred Reacher‘s Alan Ritchson and holds a 68% Rotten Tomatoes score. Sklenar and Ritchson share something in common, with both actors having become fan-favorite choices among DC fans to play the Batman of James Gunn’s DC Universe. Ponciroli’s last Western, Old Henry, was met by overwhelmingly positive reviews.

The 2021 movie boasts an impressive 94% Rotten Tomatoes score from critics, with a 92% audience score. While both Sklenar and Harrison’s Yellowstone series have ended, the former remains committed to returning for a new spinoff. Sklenar’s Spencer Dutton could be part of 1944, the upcoming series that follows the Dutton Family amid World War II, and the actor wants to return for it.

Sklenar will next be seen in theaters alongside Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried in The Housemaid, which releases on December 19. He also stars in the action movie F.A.S.T., written by Yellowstone’s Taylor Sheridan. As for Harrison, the actress recently appeared in the survival horror Dangerous Animals. The Rescue is deemed a high priority by Paramount.