Kiefer Sutherland Officially Confirms 'Young Guns 3': "The Script Is Amazing" [Exclusive]

It's been 36 long years since Billy the Kid rode onto the big screen alongside the Regulators, but wouldn't you know it, you can't keep a gang of Young Guns down forever. Rumors have swirled for what feels like decades about a third installment, but now, Kiefer Sutherland has given perhaps the most encouraging update yet. Sutherland recently reunited once again with his co-star Lou Diamond Phillips for a Young Guns panel at FanX Salt Lake, moderated by Collider's Maggie Lovitt, where chat turned to the long-awaited third installment.

While Sutherland's Doc Scurlock encountered the small problem of being absolutely riddled with bullets in Young Guns II, the actor confirmed he has discussed the project with Estevez, who apparently isn't entirely convinced Doc has to stay dead. "He looked at me and said, 'Well, no one saw you die, dude.' I held the world record for the amount of squibs on a human being for three years, and I had 72 rounds that were shot at me," said Sutherland. "And he said, 'Well, maybe they didn't end up [killing you].' I said, 'This conversation is over.' But I promise you, the script is amazing, and it's going to be with Lou and Emilio and a new cast."

Phillips also suggested that Christian Slater, who joined the franchise as Arkansas Dave Rudabaugh in Young Guns II, is expected to return. When the pair were asked whether shooting might begin soon, Phillips indicated that Estevez is currently working to get the project moving.

What Do We Know About 'Young Guns 3'?

The sequel has been in development under the title Young Guns 3: Dead or Alive, with Estevez attached to reprise Billy the Kid and direct. Original Young Guns screenwriter John Fusco has also been involved with the project. The fact that there's a script out there that has Sutherland's stamp of approval is pretty encouraging. The original Young Guns was released in 1988 and starred Estevez, Sutherland and Phillips alongside Charlie Sheen, Dermot Mulroney and Casey Siemaszko as members of the Regulators. Young Guns II followed in 1990, with Slater joining the ensemble.

Young Guns 3 does not currently have an official release date. Stay tuned at Collider for more.