Angel Studios Reimagines a John Wayne Western With Zachary Levi
Angel Studios has produced a new version of the 1947 John Wayne film 'Angel and the Badman,' directed by Julio Quintana and starring Zachary Levi. It follows a 2009 Hallmark Channel adaptation, making it the third take on the story. Variety's critic found the remake only sporadically engaging, saying it substitutes piety for excitement, though Tommy Lee Jones delivers a notable performance.
This new production marks the third screen telling of the 1947 John Wayne vehicle. A 2009 Hallmark Channel version relocated the action to snowy British Columbia and featured Lou Diamond Phillips and Deborah Kara Unger. The current film, directed by Julio Quintana, stars Zachary Levi and uses New Mexico landscapes.
Variety's Michael Phillips describes the remake as only intermittently absorbing, arguing that it favors piousness over thrills. He singles out Tommy Lee Jones for a standout performance. The original remains, in his view, the strongest version.
The remake may draw Angel Studios' faith-oriented audience and Western fans, while Zachary Levi and Tommy Lee Jones could attract broader viewers. Its release might spark renewed interest in John Wayne's original and earlier TV adaptation. If critics remain mixed, it could reinforce perceptions that faith-based entertainment struggles to balance message and excitement. This may affect filmmakers, streaming platforms, and audiences seeking family-friendly Westerns.