Steven Spielberg to Direct His First Western, Aiming to Begin Filming in 2027

Steven Spielberg is taking on his first Western.

Next project, announced at SXSW, is a Western—the first of his career

Filmmaker Steven Spielberg appeared at an official SXSW (South by Southwest) event on October 30 (local time). During an onstage conversation with an interviewer, he shared plans for his next project. He said he is currently developing a “Western movie”—that is, a Western. Spielberg has never directed one since making his commercial film debut with Duel in 1971.

“A genre I’ve always wanted to make”…teasing a fresh take on the Western

Spielberg described the Western as a genre he had “always wanted to make.” In his autobiographical film The Fabelmans, he recounted an encounter with John Ford, indirectly revealing the influence Westerns had on him. Spielberg added that the new film would leave out many of the genre’s clichés.

Longtime collaborator Janusz Kamiński joins as cinematographer…filming targeted for 2027

According to subsequent media reports, Janusz Kamiński, who has frequently collaborated with Spielberg from Schindler’s List through his latest film, Disclosure Day, is expected to serve as cinematographer on the Western. Production is targeting a start to filming sometime in 2027.