‘Cowboy’ Rodeo Drama Film Starring Ben Foster, Rudy Panko and Gabriel Basso Starts Production Under Paint Horse Pictures

Nashville banner Paint Horse Pictures launched today with the announcement of its first feature film, Cowboy, which has begun production.

The film hails from director Cameron Duddy in his feature directorial debut. Adair Cole penned the script, based on a story by Duddy and Jess Carson, members of the country band Midland. Ben Foster (Hell or High Water), Rudy Pankow (Outer Banks) and Gabriel Basso (The Night Agent) will star. Midland’s third band member Mark Wystrach (The Eyes of Tammy Faye) will also appear in the film alongside Taylor Lewan (Bussin’ With The Boys).

Set against the backdrop of the traveling rodeo circuit, Cowboy follows a ragtag group of bull riders, barrel racers, and pickup men as they chase fleeting glory beneath the glow of arena lights, under the neon haze of roadside bars, and behind the twin beams of car light leading them into the night. It’s dusty, dangerous, and deeply human.

“This is a personal story for me. It’s a film about what it takes to grind it out on the road chasing your dreams, and the emotional and physical toll it takes on all of us, most of all the people we love,” Duddy said. “Cowboy is a raw and honest look at the Rodeo world built from the dust up – it’s about grit, humility, integrity, freedom… 1,800 pounds of rough stock at a time.”

Cowboy is being produced by Lucas Smith of Endgame, Matt Graham, William Lowery and Ian Bryce of Ian Bryce Productions. Ben Foster will executive produce alongside David Keinath and Jordan Yospe for DFA Entertainment, Shawn Williamson of Brightlight Productions, James D. Stern of Endgame, and Sydney Allen of Paint Horse. UTA Independent Film Group and Range Select are co-representing global rights.   

Paint Horse Pictures is a Range Media Partners banner based out of Nashville and dedicated to stories of the people, places and beliefs of Americana. On behalf of Range, Matt Graham and William Lowery will oversee the banner, with Cam Duddy, Harper Smith and Sydney Allen rounding out the Paint Horse team.

Also in development from Paint Horse’s slate is HEXAS, a Texas-based YA horror feature.

Foster is represented by Range and Felker Toczek Suddleson. Pankow is represented by CAA, Jackson Entertainment Management and Matthew Saver Law Offices. Basso is represented by WME, Range, Untitled Entertainment and Morris, Yorn, Levine, Barnes, Krintzman, Rubenstein, Kohner, Endlich, Goodell & Gellman. Lewan is represented by CAA. Wystrach, Carson and Duddy are represented by UTA and Range; Cole is represented by CAA, Mason Novick at MXN Entertainment and Logan Clare at Ziffren Brittenham. 

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