The legend of Billy the Kid refuses to die quietly. With the announcement of Young Guns 3: Dead or Alive, fans of the cult Western series were fired up, hoping for one last ride with their favorite outlaws. But even though there’s been a lot of chatter over the last few years, many still wonder: when exactly did Morgan Creek rejoin the posse, and why hasn’t the film hit the trail yet?
When Morgan Creek Came On Board
The big news broke on March 13, 2025, when New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham stood alongside Emilio Estevez at the state capitol and confirmed that Young Guns 3 would be filming in New Mexico. At that very event, it was officially announced that Morgan Creek Entertainment was back in the saddle as the production company for the long-awaited third film.
This moment wasn’t just ceremonial—it was confirmation that all the key players were on board: Estevez returning as Billy the Kid, Lou Diamond Phillips and Christian Slater set to reprise their roles, and a fresh script co-written by Estevez and John Fusco, who penned the original two movies. With state tax credits lined up and New Mexico’s open plains ready for cameras, everything seemed ready to go.
Morgan Creek’s involvement was especially significant because they own the rights to the Young Guns franchise. Without them, there could be no third film. Their re-entry into the project marked a turning point and gave the film legitimacy after years of speculative development.
So… What’s the Holdup?
While the press event and behind-the-scenes momentum suggested the movie was ready to ride, things have hit a legal and logistical snag.
1. Rights and IP Disputes
Lou Diamond Phillips gave fans a dose of reality in April 2025 when he said the project had “gotten into a rights situation.” It turns out that while Morgan Creek is involved, there are still some tangled threads around intellectual property. This could include music rights, distribution contracts, or even disagreements over merchandising and sequel clauses from the original films.
These kinds of legal issues are not uncommon in Hollywood, especially with franchises that started in the late '80s or early '90s. Contracts from that era weren’t built to handle streaming services, international rights, or digital distribution—things that are essential for modern releases.
2. Internal Business Restructuring at Morgan Creek
While not widely publicized, Morgan Creek has been restructuring some of its operations over the last few years. This has included reevaluating its legacy content, managing its streaming rights, and pursuing new content deals. Insiders say these transitions could be slowing down the decision-making process on Young Guns 3.
3. Scheduling Conflicts and Budget Talks
Even with the cast excited and the script polished, making a Western isn’t cheap. Horses, period costumes, old towns, gunfights—they all add up. Negotiations over the budget, including whether to release in theaters or stream, have also played a role in the delay. Plus, coordinating schedules with stars like Christian Slater and Lou Diamond Phillips—both of whom are active in other projects—makes timing a challenge.
The Good News
Despite these roadblocks, everyone close to the project insists it’s not dead. Emilio Estevez has expressed deep interest in finishing what he started, and the support from the State of New Mexico remains solid. There’s also a strong fan base hungry for the movie, which helps keep pressure on studios to figure things out.
As of now, the film is still in what the industry calls “active development.” That means it hasn’t been shelved, and once the legal hurdles are cleared, it could quickly shift into production.
What’s Next?
While there’s no official filming date yet, the best-case scenario would see cameras rolling sometime in late 2025 or early 2026, assuming the rights situation is cleared soon. New Mexico is ready, the cast is enthusiastic, and fans are waiting—eager to see if Billy the Kid really did ride off into legend… or if he’s still got one more story to tell.
Stay tuned to this blog for updates as we keep tracking every twist and turn in this dusty trail toward Young Guns 3.
