Summary
A remake of the classic Western movieA Fistful of Dollarsis in the works, and a new actor will have to replace Clint Eastwood as the iconic Man with No Name. While there aren’t many details available yet, aremake ofA Fistful of Dollarsis in development. The original film starred Clint Eastwood as the Man with No Name and spawned what has been dubbedthe “Dollars” trilogy. Eastwood played the Man with No Name two more times, inFor a Few Dollars MoreandThe Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, but he won’t be able to reprise his role in the remake.
Eastwood first played the Man with No Name in 1964, but he’s since aged out of the role and plans to retire (viaDiscussing Film), but not before leaving tremendously large boots to fill. The Man with No Name is easily one ofthe most iconic characters in Western history, and his popularity is largely due to Eastwood. Whoever gets the part in the remake will have a very tough time living up to his legacy. Luckily, there are 10 actors who might be able to match Eastwood, and who are young enough for the potential remakes of the other movies in the “Dollars” trilogy.
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10Luke Grimes
Known For: Yellowstone
Every actor who has played a part in a Western since 1964 has been influenced by Clint Eastwood, and Luke Grimes is no different.Grimes is most known for playing Kayce Dutton inYellowstone, the contemporary Western show about a family’s ranching dynasty in Montana. As Kayce, Grimes brought a quietness to the role, but he was also able to become truly fearsome at a moment’s notice. Grimes also got to display his range as Kayce, as he could be a somber, introspective cowboy in one episode, a loving father in the next, and a protective husband in another.
Yellowstone
Cast
Yellowstone follows the Dutton family, led by patriarch John Dutton, as they defend their expansive ranch against external threats from land developers, an Indian reservation, and America’s first national park. Released on August 25, 2025, this series examines the complex dynamics and violent conflicts surrounding the largest contiguous ranch in the United States.
Grimes' experience playing Kayce Dutton would make him a perfect fit to step into the Man with No Name’s shoes. He’s already proven he can be just as intimidating as Eastwood was, when the situation demands it.Grimes has also nailed playing a strong and silent type of character, which would fit the Man with No Name perfectly. In that sense, Grimes may be one of the few actors who could effectively pull off the mysterious nature of the Man with No Name.
9Walton Goggins
Known For: Justified, The Hateful Eight
Walton Goggins is perhaps the most prolific modern Western actor there is.Goggins has played all manner of gunslingers, from his role as a classical cowboy in movies likeThe Hateful EightandDjango: Unchainedto more modern Westerns likeJustified. He’s even brought a gunslinger into the post-apocalypse throughFallout, where he played the Ghoul. Those roles didn’t just give him experience in playing cowboys, though, as Goggins has also proven that he can play villains, heroes, more morally ambiguous characters, and even provide comedic relief.
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That huge amount of experience makes Goggins extremely qualified to take the lead role in a remake ofA Fistful of Dollars. He would be right at home in cowboy boots and a hat, and he would waste no time in bringing the Man with No Name to life. Additionally, Goggins would be able to handle all the different sides of Eastwood’s iconic character, from his imposing presence to the few instances the Man with No Name displayed his dry sense of humor.Walton Goggins' entire career is like a resume to star inA Fistful of Dollars, and it’s an exceptionally impressive resume at that.
8LaKeith Stanfield
Known For: Sorry To Bother You, Knives Out
He may not have the same level of experience with Western movies, but LaKeith Stanfield more than proved he’s a top contender with what few opportunities he’s had.Stanfield has had a very diverse acting career so far: he’s been in sci-fi comedies likeSorry to Bother You, historical dramas likeSelma, and murder mysteries likeKnives Out. He has an incredibly varied range of skills as an actor, but he also proved he could play a very compelling cowboy inThe Harder They Fall. Stanfield played Cherokee Bill in that film, and he clearly channeled the Man with No Name.
The Harder They Fall
After Rufus Buck (Idris Elba) is released from prison, Nat Love (Jonathan Majors) brings his gang back together to defeat his enemy. Starring alongside Majors and Elba in The Harder They Fall are Zazie Beetz, Edi Gathegi, R.J. Cyler, Regina King, and LaKeith Stanfield. The Western was released in select theaters on August 12, 2025, and released on Netflix on August 23, 2025.
Though Cherokee Bill was decidedly more villainous, Stanfield showed he could easily play a legendary gunslinger like the Man with No Name.His villainous role inThe Harder They Fallmay have even given Stanfield valuable experience in playing morally ambiguous characters, which would be perfect forA Fistful of Dollars. With Stanfield’s help, the remake could really lean into and examine the Man with No Name’s odd sense of morality.
7Brandon Sklenar
Known For: 1923, Westworld
Brandon Sklenar has had his fair share of Western roles, but he’s also proven himself as a great actor in several other genres.Sklenar became a rising star in the Western genre by starring in1923and a few episodes ofWestworld, but he’s also been in more mainstream action movies likeMidway. No matter what project he’s in, though, Sklenar excels. He’s more than proven himself as a competent lead actor, and he could really do well as the Man with No Name.
1923
1923 is a series following the Dutton family during the early twentieth century. It explores the challenges they face amidst pandemics, the end of Prohibition, historic drought, and the Great Depression, as they struggle to maintain their home in the mountain west.
While any number of Sklenar’s previous roles prove he can handle a character as iconic as the Man with No Name, his work in1923is the best evidence.Sklenar was a standout actor in that show, and he was even able to carve out a name for himself among much more prominent celebrities like Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren.1923also gave Sklenar a chance to display all the reasons he would excel inA Fistful of Dollars, like his fighting abilities and his talent for keeping his character interesting.
6Manny Jacinto
Known For: The Good Place, I Want You Back
Manny Jacinto doesn’t have much experience with traditional Westerns, but he shouldn’t be underestimated because of it.Jacinto is best known for his work as a comedic actor in projects likeThe Good PlaceandI Want You Back, but he’s also performed very well in more dramatic roles, like inNine Perfect Strangers. One of Jacinto’s dramatic roles was essentially an audition tape that proved how good he would be as a gunslinger. He played Qimir inStar Wars: The Acolyte, and though it’s not a traditional Western, Jacinto made his character into a mysterious stranger that was reminiscent of the Man with No Name.
The Acolyte
The Acolyte is a television series set in the Star Wars universe at the end of the High Republic Era, where both the Jedi and the Galactic Empire were at the height of their influence. This sci-fi thriller sees a former Padawan reunite with her former Jedi Master as they investigate several crimes - all leading to darkness erupting from beneath the surface and preparing to bring about the end of the High Republic.
As Qimir, Jacinto was basically just a sci-fi version of Eastwood’s character, albeit much darker.Jacinto proved he’s a master of deception, delivering one-liners, performing physically demanding stunts, and everything else the remake ofA Fistful of Dollarscould demand of him. He also brought an immense presence to the screen inThe Acolytethat would be perfect to help the Man with No Name feel larger than life. Jacinto seems like a perfect fit for the remake ofA Fistful of Dollars, and it could be the perfect way to introduce him to the Western genre.
5Chris Pine
Known For: Wonder Woman, Star Trek
He’s starred in everything from theWonder Womanfranchise toStar Trek, but one ofChris Pine’s best movieswas a Western.Pine starred inHell or High Water, and though he hasn’t done another Western since, that film proved he can dominate the genre. He more than deserves a chance to wear a cowboy hat again, andA Fistful of Dollarswould be the perfect excuse for Pine to get back in the saddle.
Hell or High Water
Hell or High Water is a modern Western crime thriller directed by David Mackenzie. Starring Chris Pine and Ben Foster as two brothers who embark on a series of bank robberies to save their family ranch, the film delves into themes of economic hardship and justice. Jeff Bridges plays a Texas Ranger nearing retirement, determined to catch them.
ThoughHell or High Wateris a modern Western, Pine’s performance still evoked the dust and tumbleweeds of Spaghetti Westerns. He didn’t get into many shootouts, but Pine was wonderful as the type of protagonist who relies more on his head than his gun.He could easily channel that again for the Man with No Name, especially considering his cunning tactic with body armor at the end ofA Fistful of Dollars.
4Martin Sensmeier
Known For: The Magnificent Seven (2016), 1883
Martin Sensmeier has been in a wide array of Western movies, but he rarely gets the chance to play a classic gunslinger. The remake ofA Fistful of Dollarscould be the perfect chance to change that.Sensmeier has played several different Native American characters in Westerns likeWind River,Westworld, andThe Magnificent Seven. While his time as the Man with No Name would certainly be different from Clint Eastwood’s, Sensmeier might be able to bring something to the role that would help the remake feel truly new and worth revisiting.
With Sensmeier in the lead role, the remake ofA Fistful of Dollarscould easily add something meaningful to the original film.
Sensmeier is already a master of the Western genre, and he’s spent the better part of decade proving it. Many of the characters he’s portrayed have been quiet, strong, and incredibly cool, which means he wouldn’t have any trouble playing a calm, calculating gunslinger who listens more than he talks, like the Man with No Name.Additionally, Sensmeier’s Tlingit and Koyukon-Athabascan heritage could help updateA Fistful of Dollarsfor modern sensibilities, and open the door to some interesting story opportunities. With Sensmeier in the lead role, the remake ofA Fistful of Dollarscould easily add something meaningful to the original film.
3Jon Bernthal
Known For: Fury, The Punisher
Of all the possible candidates to take on the mantle of the Man with No Name, Jon Bernthal is the closest to Clint Eastwood. Both Bernthal and Eastwood made a name for themselves in playing strong, tough action heroes, and they both proved they could handle so much more. Bernthal has done typical action films and shows likeFuryandThe Punisher, and he could easily become another legendary warrior. Additionally,Bernthal also brings a level of humanity and vulnerability to his characters, which is exactly how Eastwood madeA Fistful of Dollarsand the Man with No Name so compelling in the first place.
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One of the great things about Bernthal’s take on action heroes, though, and one of the things that makes him so similar to Eastwood, is that his vulnerability never detracts from how cool they are.That balance is crucial to getting the Man with No Name right: he needs to be able to get shot or dehydrated and seem like he really could die, but he also needs to be able to request coffins be built for his enemies just before gunning them all down. It’s a hard line to walk, and while Eastwood did it best decades ago, Jon Bernthal may be a very close second.
2John Boyega
Known For: Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Pacific Rim: Uprising
John Boyega will likely always be best known for his work in theStar Warssequel trilogy, but he’s had an extremely impressive career outside the galaxy far, far away. Boyega starred in several other sci-fi movies, likeAttack the BlockandPacific Rim: Uprising, but one of his more recent films proved how good he would be in a proper Western.Boyega starred inThey Cloned Tyronein a role that truly highlighted just how talented he is. His character, Fontaine, allowed him to play a truly intimidating and reluctant hero.
They Cloned Tyrone
They Cloned Tyrone is a comedic sci-fi mystery movie by director Juel Taylor and writer Tony Rettenmaier. The film follows a group of people who stumble upon a top-secret cloning experiment being conducted by the U.S. government when a man who died following a failed drug deal reappears - completely unscathed.
Boyega’s work inThey Cloned Tyronewould translate almost seamlessly toA Fistful of Dollars.Fontaine prepared Boyega to play a rough, morally questionable hero, and it should be extremely easy to swap out the sci-fi aesthetic for lassos and revolvers. He also has the screen presence necessary to show that the Man with No Name is not the type of person anyone would want to mess with, which would help Boyega fit right into the remake.
1Scott Eastwood
Probably the most obvious choice to fill the Man With No Name’s boots is Clint Eastwood’s own son, Scott Eastwood. He’s been acting in all types of movies and shows for almost 20 years, and like his father, he’s done a few Westerns along the way.Eastwood’s work inDiabloparticularly stands out as a show of his acting abilities and how well he would do as the Man with No Name, even if that film was closer toThe Outlaw Josey WalesthanA Fistful of Dollars. Eastwood gave a great performance in the movie, and he seemed just like his father.
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Scott Eastwood would be the best choice to make the remake ofA Fistful of Dollarsrecreate the feel of the original, partly because he captures his father’s presence so well. He can play a mysterious stranger just as well, and he may be even better in a modern action sequence. Casting Scott Eastwood as the Man with No Name in the remake ofA Fistful of Dollarswould also be the perfect way to honor both the original film and the original gunslinger.
A Fistful of Dollars
A Fistful of Dollars is a spaghetti Western film from director Sergio Leone starring Clint Eastwood. A Fistful of Dollars is notable for being Clint Eastwood’s big break in Hollywood and also for being the beginning of the “Dollars Trilogy.” The film was followed by For a Few Dollars More in 1965 and The Good, The Bad and the Ugly in 1966.
