Clint Eastwood‘s The Outlaw Josey Wales is one of the greatest Westerns of the 1970s, and a great revenge story that pits a grief-stricken gunfighter against the men who murdered his family in the aftermath of the American Civil War. With a morally complex protagonist, stellar writing, and Eastwood’s commanding direction, it’s no surprise that the film would eventually receive a sequel with 1986’s The Return of Josey Wales — a movie that Eastwood wanted absolutely no part of.
Released a decade after the original, The Return of Josey Wales saw Michael Parks replace Eastwood as star and director in the largely-forgotten sequel, which picks up sometime after the events of the first film. With all the success and acclaim The Outlaw Josey Wales garnered over the years, it may initially seem surprising that Eastwood abstained from reprising his role as the iconic gunfighter. However, the Hollywood veteran clearly made the right decision, since The Return of Josey Wales was a box-office flop whose half-baked plot failed to live up to the legacy of the original film.
Clint Eastwood Didn’t Appear In The Return Of Josey Wales, Despite The Original Movie’s Success
A Follow-up Seemed Likely At The Time
The Outlaw Josey Wales met critical acclaim from critics and audiences alike after its release in 1976, receiving praise for both Eastwood’s bold direction and the stellar performances of its cast (with Indigenous actor Chief Dan George’s role as Lone Watie being a particular highlight). Considering the actor’s previous success as “The Man With No Name” in Sergio Leone’s Dollars Trilogy, it seemed almost inevitable for a Josey Wales follow-up with Eastwood at the helm to appear in the coming years – however, this wasn’t meant to be.
It’s unclear as to why Eastwood didn’t return for The Return of Josey Wales in 1986, but the studio ultimately decided to proceed without him, casting actor and singer Michael Parks in the role of Josey Wales instead. Adapted from the second novel in the Josey Wales series by controversial writer Asa Carter, The Return of Josey Wales was poorly received upon its release, in large part due to Eastwood’s absence and its lackluster storyline involving a less-than-inspiring revenge plot for the killing of Wales’ friend in Mexico.
The Return of Josey Wales Would’ve Been One Of Clint Eastwood’s Worst Movies
Eastwood Preserved His Reputation By Not Doing The Film
Although Michael Parks might not carry the stage presence of Eastwood, whose glare is arguably more iconic than the moon landing, The Return of Josey Wales still would not be saved by the latter’s involvement. In short, the plot of the 1986 film centers around Wales’ retirement in Texas being violently upended after he learns of the murder of one of his close friends by a corrupt Mexican lawman. From there, Wales bids farewell to his family and rides across the border to seek vengeance.
Had he returned for the sequel, The Return of Josey Wales would’ve undoubtedly been considered one of Eastwood’s worst films, ultimately damaging the actor’s reputation as a western icon.
To put it simply, the film’s story utterly lacks the gravitas and emotional depth of its predecessor. Had he returned for the sequel, The Return of Josey Wales would’ve undoubtedly been considered one of Clint Eastwood’s worst films, ultimately damaging the actor’s reputation as a Western icon. Though his screen presence would’ve made the film far more memorable, Eastwood had good reason to avoid reprising his role as the fearsome Josey Wales in this subpar sequel.
