Hey folks, Harry here with another script report. This time on SPACE COWBOYS. I really don't like that title, but hey OLD FARTS IN SPACE is just not gonna work either, so I guess SPACE COWBOYS is ok.

Ok, we know Clint Eastwood is interested in this project, and that allegedly as soon as he is finished with TRUE CRIME, he is supposed to do this one. Also, I believe we have heard the viscious rumor that Clint Eastwood was talking Jack Nicholson and Sean Connery to co-star with him in the flick. That would leave two more older characters to be filled. Of course that's just a rumor I believe that Variety or Hollywood Reporter mentioned was in the 'talking' stage. Haven't heard much out of it since.

The script has been around for a while now. Curtis Hanson was looking at it as his next project, with Harrison Ford and Sean Connery. I have to say reading the script that I think Ford ain't quite right for it. And the casting of Eastwood, Nicholson and Connery would be perfect.

The plotline? Well remember that daring group of test pilots that were pushing the X-1 to the limits of oxygen on earth? The folks that we thought were going to be the first Americans in space, until the Government came up with the Mercury group of Astronauts, and NASA was formed. Well, this story is about a group of them X-1 pilots. And how they manage to fanagle their way into space.

You see in the script by Ken Kaufman and Howard Klausner there is a series of things that come about, specifically a screwed up 'satelite' that Nasa MUST keep from reentry. The problem is the guidance thingamagig was designed by one of our 'Space Cowboys' and... well he won't help NASA unless they send his whole original team up there to do it.

As you can guess the film then has the whole series of exercises, tests, etc that we have seen in numerous Astronaut films, but as it is done to a 68 year old and older. Yeah yeah, I know this sounds somewhat iffy, but hell John Glenn is gonna be heading up in about a month or so, so it ain't too unlikely.

I'll tell you this, the script has a ton of heart, and in Clint's hands... well I think it will have the right tone. ANd if he can really get that cast.... Well that would be stunning. It is not GRUMPIER OLD MEN IN SPACE. These 'old men' are men that were at the top of the top in their youth, and have aged with that pride. They aren't bumbling old fools. Sure there is some humor in the mix, but at the same time there is far more dignity and nobility and I think it was that aspect that I really liked about the material.

If anyone knows anymore about this project, please let me know. It could be a very very good film. And could be one of the projects after GREEN MILE that would continue a winning streak at WARNERS that will begin next summer. Till then though... it's the dregs...