Yellowstoneco-creatorTaylor Sheridanis adding another project to his extensive list: an adaptation ofEmpire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches, the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American History.According toDeadline, Sheridan will write and direct. He is also set to produce alongside Jenny Wood under his Bosque Ranch banner. Bidding forEmpire of the Summer Moonwas competitive, but Sheridan and Bosque Ranch ultimately secured the rights.
Written by historian and journalist S.C. Gwynne,the New York Times Bestsellerand Pulitzer Prize finalist book details a historical account of the “four-decade struggle between the Comanche tribe and white settlers to control the American West.” Sheridan has long been interested in adapting the book, which is split into two parts.
The first details the rise and fall of the Comanche empire, who became skilled horsemen, hunters, and warriors and were known as the most powerful Indian tribe in American History. The second part dives into the story of Cynthia Ann Parker, who was kidnapped as a young girl by the Comanches and raised with them. Her son, Quanah, becomes the tribe’s last and greatest Chief. In 2021, Sheridan’s investment group purchased 6666 Ranch (also known as Four Sixes Ranch), and the estate has a special connection to Quanah: The ranch’s founder had several relics connected to the Comanche chief. Antlers from a deer killed by Comanche are still housed inside the home as part of the stone fireplace in the main living room.
“I can’t think of anyone better qualified to bringEmpire of the Summer Moonto the screen than Taylor Sheridan,” Gwynne said. “He has a deep and nuanced understanding of both the myth and reality of the old West. I am thrilled that he is undertaking this project. "
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Yellowstone & Taylor Sheridan’s Television Reign
It is unknown whetherEmpire of the Summer Moonwill be adapted as a series or film, but, given Sheridan’s expanding episodic projects, we wouldn’t be surprised if the story of the Comanche and Quanah were told through several parts. In recent years, Sheridanhas established himself as a television titan, working on several hit series.
Sheridan’sYellowstone, which premiered in 2018 and has spawned two prequel series (with three other spinoffs, titled6666, 1944, and2024, currently in the works),will conclude this November.Filming for the neo-Western’s anticipated final episodes is set to begin this Spring. Sheridan is also working onLand Man, an upcoming show based on the 11-part podcastBoomtown. While no release date is yet known, the show will be led by Billy Bob Thornton, focusing on Texas' oil and gas industry.
Aside fromYellowstone, Sheridan is attached to five ongoing projects: the Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren-led1923;Lioness, based on a real-life CIA program;Lawman: Bass Reeves, starring David Oyelowo as the titular character, who rises from enslavement to become one of the first Black U.S. Deputy Marshals west of the Mississippi; the Jeremy Renner-led crime dramaMayor of Kingstown;andTulsa King, which stars Sylvester Stallone as a Mafia capo sent to Tulsa, Oklahoma after his prison release.
There is no word yet on when production forEmpire of the Summer Moonwill take place.
Yellowstone
Yellowstone stars Kevin Costner and centers on his character John Dutton. Dutton and his family live on a cattle ranch just a few hours away from Yellowstone National Park. The series chronicles the family’s struggle to defend their home from an Indian reservation and land developers. As if their life wasn’t complicated enough, the Duttons also have medical issues, political aspirations, and family secrets stacked against them.
