Young Guns & The Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon: Saddle Up for Connections

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Young Guns is more than just a shoot-’em-up western—it’s a who's-who of late ‘80s and early ‘90s Hollywood legends before they fully exploded into superstardom. But here’s the kicker: every single one of these outlaws is just a few campfires away from Kevin Bacon. That’s right, it’s time to play the greatest parlor game ever invented: Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon: Young Guns Edition.

Grab your popcorn and your posse—we’re riding through Hollywood history with the dust still on our boots.

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Emilio Estevez – Billy the Kid

Our legendary antihero. Emilio plays Billy with manic energy, wild eyes, and zero chill.

Bacon Trail:

1. Emilio Estevez was in The Outsiders (1983) with Tom Cruise.
2. Tom Cruise was in A Few Good Men (1992) with… Kevin Bacon.

Only 2 steps to Bacon. Not bad, Billy.

Giddy up with the original:
Young Guns Blu-ray

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Kiefer Sutherland – Doc Scurlock

The brooding heartthrob who reads poetry and shoots first. Doc might be soft-spoken, but Kiefer brings thunder.

Bacon Trail:

1. Kiefer starred directly alongside Kevin Bacon in Flatliners (1990).

Boom. 1 degree. A headshot of connection.

Add it to your collection:
Flatliners (1990)

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Charlie Sheen – Dick Brewer

He didn’t last long in Young Guns, but Charlie Sheen’s brief role still hit hard. And yeah, he’s Emilio’s real-life brother, in case you forgot.

Bacon Trail:

1. Charlie Sheen was in Wall Street (1987) with Michael Douglas.
2. Michael Douglas was in The American President (1995) with Martin Sheen.
3. Martin Sheen was in JFK (1991) with Kevin Bacon.

That’s a full 3 degrees. Respectable, Dick.

Go retro Sheen:
Wall Street

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Lou Diamond Phillips – Chavez y Chavez

The soulful warrior with a silent stare. Lou Diamond Phillips brought heart, pride, and power to the gang.

Bacon Trail:

1. Lou was in Courage Under Fire (1996) with Denzel Washington.
2. Denzel was in Philadelphia (1993) with Kevin Bacon.

Only 2 degrees—Chavez rides clean and true.

Underrated gem:
La Bamba

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Dermot Mulroney – “Dirty Steve” Stephens

Dirty Steve. Half cowboy, half raccoon. Dermot Mulroney was the dusty, lovable misfit of the crew.

Bacon Trail:

1. Dermot was in My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997) with Julia Roberts.
2. Julia Roberts was in Flatliners (1990) with Kevin Bacon.

2 degrees. A tidy path for such a filthy cowboy.

Rom-com favorite:
My Best Friend’s Wedding

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Casey Siemaszko – Charlie Bowdre

The guy everyone forgets until he pulls the trigger. Casey brought loyalty and grit to the gang.

Bacon Trail:

1. Casey was in Back to the Future (1985) with Lea Thompson.
2. Lea Thompson was in All the Right Moves (1983) with Tom Cruise.
3. Tom Cruise was in A Few Good Men (1992) with Kevin Bacon.

3 degrees. Slow and steady wins the race.

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Honorable Mention: Terence Stamp – John Tunstall

The wise Brit rancher who took in the lost boys. Tunstall may not have made it far into the film, but Terence Stamp’s Hollywood legacy runs deep.

Bacon Trail:

1. Terence was in Wanted (2008) with James McAvoy.
2. McAvoy was in X-Men: First Class (2011) with Kevin Bacon.

2 degrees for the classy outlaw mentor.

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Is Young Guns III Coming?

The whispers won’t stop. Emilio Estevez has teased Young Guns III more than once, and fans are ready for a reunion in the saddle. What if Billy did survive? What if Doc’s still writing poetry in a desert shack? And what if, just maybe, Kevin Bacon shows up as the new sheriff?

Don’t laugh—it’s Hollywood. Stranger things have happened.

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Ride Off Into the Sunset with the Gang

Ready to relive the dust, dynamite, and denim? Pick up the movies and ride with the Regulators one more time.

• Young Guns Blu-ray
• Young Guns II Blu-ray
• La Bamba – Lou Diamond Phillips
• Flatliners (1990)
• Wall Street – Charlie Sheen
• My Best Friend’s Wedding – Dermot Mulroney

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Final Word from the Trail

The Young Guns may be outlaws, but when it comes to movie connections, they’re pure gold. So next time you’re watching one of these dusty legends, pause and ask yourself: “How many steps to Bacon?” Because out in Hollywood, everyone’s got a path to the same man.

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Young Guns Trivia: The Wild, The Weird, and The Wild West Legends

If you're a fan of westerns with rock 'n' roll swagger, then Young Guns and Young Guns II should already be in your collection. These movies weren’t just about outlaws—they were about turning the Old West into something cool. Packed with rising stars, killer soundtracks, and enough firepower to light up the desert, these films became instant cult classics.

Ready to saddle up? Here's some trivia you probably didn’t know about the Young Guns universe.

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1. Emilio Estevez Lived and Breathed Billy the Kid

Emilio Estevez brought charm, danger, and that wild spark to Billy the Kid—and he stayed in character off-camera too. Fellow cast members said he was so intense that they sometimes forgot they were just acting.

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2. The Brat Pack, Western Style

The cast reads like a who’s who of '80s icons: Emilio Estevez, Kiefer Sutherland, Charlie Sheen, Lou Diamond Phillips, and Dermot Mulroney. Sheen and Estevez are real-life brothers, but their characters don’t exactly see eye to eye on-screen. That tension? Totally natural.

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3. Real Events, Movie-Style Drama

The story is based (loosely) on the real Lincoln County War in New Mexico, with Billy the Kid and his gang fighting corrupt officials. Names like Chavez y Chavez and Doc Scurlock weren’t made up—they were real people, though the movie definitely adds its own spin.

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4. Bon Jovi Didn’t Just Sing—He Acted Too

When Young Guns II needed a theme song, Jon Bon Jovi stepped up with “Blaze of Glory,” which hit #1 and earned a Grammy. He even makes a cameo in the movie—keep an eye out for a prisoner who gets gunned down.

Watch the music video here:

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5. Who Was Brushy Bill?

Young Guns II starts with an old man claiming to be Billy the Kid. That’s not fiction—Brushy Bill Roberts was a real guy who, in 1950, tried to get a pardon by claiming he was the legendary outlaw. To this day, no one knows for sure if he was telling the truth.

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6. Lou Diamond Phillips Took the Role Seriously

Playing Chavez y Chavez, Phillips dove deep into Native American culture and spent time with Apache groups to give an authentic performance. It added heart and depth to a character that could’ve easily been a cliché.

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7. Charlie Sheen’s Death Shocked Audiences

Most people expected Sheen to be the star—or at least make it to the end. His character, Dick Brewer, getting killed midway was a bold move and showed that Young Guns wasn’t afraid to shake things up.

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8. Best Hair in the Wild West?

Seriously, has there ever been a better-looking posse of outlaws? The flowing hair, the dust-covered jackets, the slow-motion horse chases—it was like a western directed by a rock video director (and it worked).

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9. A Third Movie Is in the Works

Yep, it’s true. Emilio Estevez has confirmed that Young Guns III: Alias Billy the Kid is in development. It follows the theory that Billy the Kid survived and lived in hiding. Count us in for one last ride.

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10. These Movies Revived the Western Genre

Before Young Guns, westerns were struggling. These films brought fresh life to the genre and paved the way for Tombstone, Unforgiven, and even the video game Red Dead Redemption.

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Own the Legend – Young Guns Must-Haves on Amazon

Want to bring the Young Guns vibe home? Here's some awesome gear and media you can grab on Amazon:

• Young Guns (1988) DVD/Blu-ray
• Young Guns II (1990) DVD/Blu-ray
• Young Guns I & II Double Feature Set
• Blaze of Glory – Bon Jovi Soundtrack CD
• Young Guns Original Movie Poster Print
• Billy the Kid: The Endless Ride (Book)
• Young Guns T-Shirt – Vintage Style
• Funko Pop! Young Guns – Billy the Kid Collectible

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Affiliate Disclosure

Heads up! This blog contains affiliate links. That means if you click and buy something, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. It helps keep the blog going and the trivia flowing. Thanks for your support, partner!

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Ride Off Into the Sunset… With Style

Young Guns isn't just a western—it’s a statement. It’s about doing things your way, even when the world wants to write your story for you. Whether you're Team Chavez, Team Doc, or just in it for the “Blaze of Glory,” there’s always a reason to revisit these dusty legends.

Got a favorite quote or scene? Drop it in the comments—let’s keep the outlaw spirit alive.

Pancho Villa Rides Again in Young Guns 3: The Revolutionary Legend and a Wild New Twist

With the long-awaited Young Guns 3 officially in the works, fans of the Western genre are buzzing. The return of Billy the Kid, possibly played once again by Emilio Estevez, is enough to stir excitement, but what really has people talking is the addition of one of Mexico’s most legendary revolutionaries—Pancho Villa. The web is already teeming with speculation, rumors, and early casting teasers, but one thing is clear: the filmmakers plan to ride deep into both history and Hollywood myth.

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Who Was Pancho Villa?

Pancho Villa, born José Doroteo Arango Arámbula in 1878, was more than a bandit or rebel—he was a hero to some, a villain to others, and a complex man whose legend helped reshape Mexico’s political future.

From Orphan to Outlaw

Villa’s early life in Durango, Mexico, was marked by poverty. According to legend, at just 16, he killed a man who had assaulted his sister, prompting him to flee and adopt the name Pancho Villa. From there, he became a bandit, but also a kind of Robin Hood figure, stealing from the rich and distributing wealth to the poor.

The Mexican Revolution

By 1910, Villa joined Francisco Madero’s movement against dictator Porfirio Díaz. He commanded the División del Norte (Division of the North) and earned a reputation as a bold strategist. His greatest victory came during the Battle of Zacatecas in 1914, a key moment in the revolution.

But Villa was not just a soldier—he was also a folk hero. He championed land reforms and education. His image was so strong that during World War I, Hollywood even made films with him in them. He literally signed a contract with filmmakers to film battles as they happened—try imagining that today.

War with the U.S.: The Columbus Raid

One of the most controversial chapters of Villa’s life came in 1916 when he led a raid on Columbus, New Mexico. It left 18 Americans dead and triggered a full-on military response: the Punitive Expedition, led by General John J. Pershing. The U.S. hunted Villa through Mexico for months but never caught him—only adding to his legendary status.

Death and Conspiracy

Villa retired from revolution in 1920 but was assassinated three years later in Parral, Chihuahua, in what many believe was a government-sanctioned hit. Still, conspiracy theories have persisted—much like the one at the heart of Young Guns 3.

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The Movie Twist: Billy the Kid and Pancho Villa?

Young Guns 3 is rumored to take bold creative liberties—and one of the most exciting ones is the suggestion that Billy the Kid faked his death and later crossed paths with Pancho Villa in Mexico.

Historically, Billy the Kid was supposedly gunned down by Pat Garrett in 1881. But some tales—and certainly this movie—might suggest otherwise. What if the Kid didn’t die? What if he fled south and became an outlaw legend alongside Pancho Villa?

This plot could connect America’s most mythic outlaw with Mexico’s revolutionary firebrand, creating a bond forged in rebellion, gunfire, and betrayal. It’s a brilliant “what if” that Hollywood loves—and fans are here for it.

Some web chatter even suggests we may see Villa mentoring Billy or helping him evade U.S. lawmen. Think about it—two larger-than-life figures who refused to kneel, riding together one last time.

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How the Film Might Dramatize Villa

While Villa’s real story is full of drama already, expect some creative flair in the movie:

• Romanticism of Rebellion: The film will likely lean into the Robin Hood image of Villa, emphasizing his love for justice and his people.
• Hyper-Cinematic Battles: While Villa’s raids were strategic and brutal, we might get over-the-top shootouts in true Young Guns fashion.
• Conspiracies and Deals: Given his real-life contract with Hollywood, it wouldn’t be a stretch to include scenes of Villa working with American filmmakers—or plotting with other outlaw icons.
• Secret Alliances: The Billy the Kid crossover might paint Villa as a protector, helping the American outlaw vanish into revolutionary Mexico.

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Want to Learn More About Pancho Villa?

If you’re fired up about Villa’s role in Young Guns 3, here are some books that dive deep into the real man behind the myth:

• Pancho Villa: A Life from Beginning to End – An Hourly History Biography (Amazon)
  A quick but insightful read covering all the key moments in Villa's life.

• The Life and Times of Pancho Villa by Friedrich Katz (Amazon)
  One of the most detailed and respected biographies ever written about Villa.

• Villa and Zapata: A History of the Mexican Revolution by Frank McLynn (Amazon)
  Great for context and comparison with Emiliano Zapata, another revolutionary icon.

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Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a history buff, a Western movie fan, or just in for a great outlaw story, Young Guns 3 looks like it’s aiming to be more than just a nostalgia trip. It’s shaping up to be a legendary tale of rebellion, resurrection, and revolution. And with Pancho Villa in the mix—played by a yet-unconfirmed actor—it could be the wildest ride yet.

Stay tuned. This one’s going to make history ride again.

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Amazon Affiliate Disclaimer:

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. The links provided to Amazon products in this article may generate a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Behind the Guns: The Creative Forces Behind Young Guns

Young Guns wasn’t just another Western. It didn’t play it safe. It didn’t wear out the same old dusty tropes. It kicked in the saloon doors with swagger, style, and a sharp edge that felt as fresh in 1988 as a cold shot of whiskey. And while the brat pack cast grabbed headlines, it was the creative team behind the scenes that made this outlaw epic unforgettable.

The Director: Christopher Cain

Cain wasn’t a household name, but he had a knack for emotional storytelling. He didn’t mimic John Ford or Sergio Leone—he wanted something new. He gave the Western genre a youthful, rock-and-roll heartbeat. And fun fact: he's also the adoptive father of Dean Cain, the actor who played Superman on Lois & Clark.

The Writer: John Fusco

Only 26 when he wrote Young Guns, Fusco knew his Western history. He’d traveled the Southwest, digging into outlaw legends and the real Lincoln County War. His take on Billy the Kid was gritty, defiant, and rooted in historical truth. Fusco later wrote Hidalgo, The Highwaymen, and Netflix's Marco Polo.

The Producer: Joe Roth

Before he ran studios like Fox and Disney, Roth backed Young Guns. The genre was mostly dead in the ‘80s, but he saw the risk and took it. And it paid off big time.

The Cinematographer: Dean Semler

He made Young Guns look like a legend. Semler’s wide New Mexico shots and gritty close-ups gave the film its epic energy. He’d go on to win an Oscar for Dances With Wolves and shoot Mad Max 2.

The Music: Anthony Marinelli & Brian Banks

Their synth-driven score broke all the Western rules. No twang, no banjo—just moody, dramatic soundscapes that pulsed with youthful danger.

The Costume Designer: Dan Moore

The outlaws of Young Guns didn’t just look good—they looked iconic. From Chavez’s tribal flair to Billy’s devil-may-care smirk, Moore gave each character a visual identity that screamed legend.

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Gear Up Like a Young Gun

Ready to bring that outlaw energy into your life? Check out these Amazon picks:

"Paradise Salvage" by John Fusco – A gritty coming-of-age novel by the Young Guns writer.

"Cinematography: Theory and Practice" – Learn visual storytelling like Dean Semler.

Western Duster Coat – Channel that Billy the Kid look.

"The Making of Westerns" by Joe Kane – Explore the film frontier.

"Western Movies: A Guide to 5,105 Feature Films" by Michael R. Pitts

"Stagecoach to Tombstone" by Howard Hughes – A filmgoer’s dream guide.

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Affiliate Disclosure:

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. It helps keep this blog riding high and wide open.

Stay wild, stay curious, and never forget the legends behind the lens.