Clint Eastwood’s Forgotten Sequel: Discover One of His Best Westerns, Lost for 39 Years!

When discussing Clint Eastwood and Westerns, “The Outlaw Josey Wales,” released in 1976, often comes up as one of his standout works. This powerful and timeless film is considered one of the genre’s finest achievements. However, what many do not know is that a sequel was indeed made…and it has since faded into obscurity.

The original film, celebrated by both critics and audiences, was officially recognized in 1996 when it was added to the prestigious archives of the United States Library of Congress. “The Outlaw Josey Wales” tells the story of a man shattered by the Civil War, driven by a need for vengeance. For Eastwood, the narrative also served as a subtle but deliberate parallel to the scars left by the Vietnam War.

Interestingly, despite his impressive career, Clint Eastwood has noted that this film is the one fans mention to him most often. “When people stop me on the street, it’s often about Josey Wales. They seem to love this movie. I rented it recently, and it still holds up,” he shared in a 2017 interview with Empire.

This masterpiece is based on a novel by Forrest Carter—a pseudonym for Asa Earl Carter, a controversial figure who was a Ku Klux Klan activist and speechwriter for segregationist politician George Wallace. Carter also wrote a literary sequel: “The Vengeance Trail of Josey Wales.”

Clint Eastwood once considered adapting this sequel for the screen, but the project never really took off under his direction. Ultimately, Warner Bros., the studio behind the first film, decided to proceed without him. That’s where things began to go awry…

Without Clint, It Falls Apart

The sequel, titled “The Return of Josey Wales,” was released in 1986 to nearly no fanfare. Forgotten by the public and overshadowed by Eastwood’s absence, this attempt to revive the character went completely unnoticed.

The plot indeed resurrects Josey Wales, who has been living in hiding after faking his death, now embarking on a mission of vengeance in Mexico. He targets a group connected to the forces of the dethroned Emperor Maximilian I. On paper, the storyline had potential.

However, Clint Eastwood was neither in front of nor behind the camera. Instead, Michael Parks, an actor best known for his TV roles in the 1960s and 70s, took up the mantle—both starring as Josey and directing the film. It was a bold move: this would be his only experience as a director. Parks would later be rediscovered by Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez, who cast him in several roles in the 1990s.

As for the film itself? It’s practically unfindable today. A low-quality version exists on YouTube, ripped from an old VHS tape. It’s hard to say whether it’s worth the watch, as the film is far from the quality of the first—decide for yourself!

Meanwhile, “The Outlaw Josey Wales” is available for streaming on Canal+.