Forging a Western Legacy: Director Brian Skiba on ‘Guns of Redemption’

The new movie “Guns of Redemption” is showing to be very promising and a must watch. Credit to IMDB.

Los Angeles, California (February 27, 2025)-(RYM)- The Western genre has always held a special place in the hearts of movie lovers, with its tales of rugged landscapes, complex characters, and iconic showdowns. As a cinematic staple that has seen its ups and downs over the years, Westerns are beginning to make a powerful resurgence. One such film leading the charge is Guns of Redemption, directed by Brian Skiba. The film, starring Casper Van Dien and Jeff Fahey, follows Luke, a scarred Civil War veteran who embarks on a final battle to rescue two young sisters from the clutches of General Bork’s traveling brothel. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Guntown Mountain, Cave City, Kentucky, the film is an ode to the classic Western with a modern twist.

We caught up with Skiba to discuss the making of Guns of Redemption, the challenges of filming in Kentucky, and the future of cinema.

Skiba’s passion for the Western genre is clear, as he shares his deep affection for the period. “I love the Western genre. It’s fantastic,” he says with enthusiasm. Having already directed three Westerns, Skiba acknowledges the unique appeal of the genre. "It’s a period piece, and you get to explore a time that’s long gone. A lot of people are really passionate about it, and that’s what makes these stories so much fun to tell.”

The historical allure of the West isn't just about the storytelling; it's also about the details. Skiba marvels at the passionate fans who dress up in period clothing and can recall the minutiae of the era, like the specific type of saddle used in the late 1800s. It’s this deep connection to history that elevates a film like Guns of Redemption beyond just a story—it becomes a celebration of a bygone era.

Filming Guns of Redemption in the rugged landscapes of Kentucky presented its own set of challenges. Skiba, who hails from Phoenix and Los Angeles, is no stranger to warmer climates. “In Kentucky, we were in tornado season, which was a bit of a surprise,” he laughs. “One minute, the trees were bare, and three days later, everything was green. Nature literally changed the set overnight.”

This unpredictable weather, especially the lightning storms and tornado threats, forced Skiba and his team to halt filming multiple times. “You can’t control the elements on location, so you just have to adapt and keep going. Sometimes you have to incorporate the unpredictability of nature into the story,” he explains.

One of the most memorable moments in Guns of Redemption is a fight scene set in a church, which Skiba himself was deeply involved in filming. Describing it as "a fun fight," Skiba recounts the process of filming the sequence over three days to ensure consistent lighting. He also reveals that during one particularly dramatic moment, he was behind the camera when Casper Van Dien, who performed most of his own stunts, accidentally kicked him in the leg. “He misfired, and I was like, ow, don’t do that again,” Skiba laughs. “But we nailed it after that!”

Skiba credits much of the film's success in capturing this intense scene to the contributions of both Van Dien and James Logan, the actor playing the villain. “There are moments on set when you know you’re capturing something special,” Skiba adds, clearly proud of what they accomplished.

The casting of Guns of Redemption was another crucial element to its success. Skiba worked closely with his friend Jeff Goldberg, who reps Casper Van Dien and Jeff Fahey, to bring the right actors on board. “I love Casper. He is a phenomenal person and a phenomenal actor,” says Skiba of his lead. “I’d worked with him before and was more than supportive when I heard he was being considered for the role.”

Skiba was equally impressed with Jeff Fahey, whom he hadn’t worked with before. “Jeff has this artistic style—he’s very musical and stylish. It was refreshing to work with someone like him,” Skiba adds. The casting process was rounded out by up-and-comer Kaitlyn Kemp, whose talent Skiba praises highly, “You’ve got to keep your eye on her because she’s going to kill it.”

The Western genre, which had seen a decline in recent years, is making a big comeback, and Skiba believes that much of this resurgence can be credited to Taylor Sheridan. “Taylor has definitely helped resurrect the genre,” Skiba notes. “Film is cyclical—sometimes horror, action, or dramas are hot. Right now, Westerns are enjoying a surge in popularity, and American Primeval on Netflix did amazing. It’s definitely fueling the fire for more Westerns.”

Skiba sees this renewed interest as part of a larger trend in Hollywood where the demand for different genres ebbs and flows, making it the perfect time for Westerns to reclaim their place on the silver screen.

One of the most refreshing aspects of working on Guns of Redemption was the freedom Skiba had to explore his creative vision. “When you’re working in television, there’s a box you have to fit into. But with this film, Shout Factory was very supportive and gave me a lot of freedom,” Skiba reflects. He was even given the chance to edit and score the film himself, something that’s rare in a typical studio environment.

This creative freedom allowed Skiba to infuse the film with his personal touch while maintaining a high level of quality. “The directive from Shout was to make something cool, and they trusted me to do that. The script was already in place, but we made a few tweaks to make it our own,” Skiba explains.

Looking toward the future of filmmaking, Skiba is both optimistic and intrigued by the possibilities presented by artificial intelligence. “AI is going to change everything,” he predicts. “In just three to four years, you could make a movie entirely on your computer, and it could be phenomenal.” He sees AI as a democratizing force in filmmaking, allowing more voices to be heard and giving people without access to large budgets the ability to create art.

For Skiba, the potential for AI in filmmaking is not just about efficiency, but about expanding the diversity of stories that can be told. “Film should be an art open to everyone,” he says. “I think AI is going to open doors for voices that haven’t been heard, and I think we’re going to see some phenomenal projects as a result.”

As Skiba looks to the future of cinema, his enthusiasm for storytelling, creative freedom, and the Western genre remains unwavering. With Guns of Redemption set to hit theaters on March 7, the director continues to forge a lasting legacy in a genre that is making a triumphant return to the big screen.