Matt Dillon To Lead ‘The Magnificent Seven’ MGM+ Series Remake
EXCLUSIVE: Matt Dillon is set to headline and executive produce MGM+‘s upcoming eight-episode drama series The Magnificent Seven from Heroes creator Tim Kring, a reimagining of the classic 1960 Western film.
Dillon will play Chris Adams, who becomes the leader of seven gunslingers determined to protect a group of innocent villagers from a mercenary land baron hellbent on stealing their land. Stoic, steady under pressure, and with an unflinching gaze that does most of the talking for him, Chris has no patience for hypocrisy or cruelty and holds fast to a quiet moral code rooted in fairness and restraint.
The role was played by Yul Brynner in the 1960 film, with Denzel Washington portraying a spiritual successor of the characters in Antoine Fuqua’s 2016 remake.
The Magnificent Seven, part of MGM+’s strategy of doing series with cinematic pedigree, look and feel, is written by Kring who executive produces alongside Donald De Line, Lawrence Mirisch, Bruce Kaufman and Matt Dillon. Seth Yanklewitz is casting, MGM+ Studios and MGM Television Studios are producing. Production is targeted to begin in June 2026 in Calgary.
“Matt Dillon brings extraordinary depth and gravitas to this iconic role,” said Michael Wright, global head of MGM+. “His ability to portray complex, morally conflicted characters makes him the perfect choice to lead our reimagining of The Magnificent Seven. This series honors the legacy of the original film while exploring timeless themes about courage, redemption, and standing up against oppression—and Matt’s performance will be at the heart of that story.”
Set in the tumultuous 1880s American frontier, the series follows seven gifted but flawed mercenaries hired to protect a peaceful Quaker village after it is massacred by mercenaries working for a ruthless land baron trying to seize their land. As the team embeds itself and prepares to defend against overwhelming odds, they grapple with a central question: is violence acceptable to defend people whose faith is based on non-violence? The series explores the backstories of each of the Seven, what’s at stake for them, and why they choose this mission—delving into themes of honor, sacrifice, redemption, morality, and faith. The Magnificent Seven will be available on premium linear channel and streaming service MGM+ in the United States, United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Germany, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and Chile.
Dillon, an Oscar nominee for Crash, recently appeared in Apple TV+’s High Desert with Patricia Arquette. He will next be seen starring in Claire Denis’ The Fence alongside Tom Blyth, which premiered at TIFF, and will play Frank Stallone in Amazon MGM Studio’s I Play Rocky, directed by Peter Farrelly. Dillon, whose notable credits include The Outsiders, There’s Something About Mary, Drugstore Cowboy, for which he won an IFP Spirit Award, To Die For, Wild Things, and Asteroid City, is repped by UTA and Untitled Entertainment.
