Lou Diamond Phillips on Gangland, Young Guns 3, and The Chair Company Season 2: Podcast

Lou Diamond Phillips, a versatile actor known for his roles as cops, cowboys, and criminals, discusses his latest projects in a recent podcast interview. In Gangland, he plays Teddy Sharp, a tribal police officer whose questionable methods are driven by a deep commitment to his community. This neo-Western explores themes of generational trauma, gang violence, and the moral ambiguity of doing what's right when opinions diverge on what that means.

Phillips was immediately drawn to Gangland due to its authentic script, which was written by an officer with firsthand experience in tribal policing. He served as an executive producer and enlisted the help of his former Longmire technical adviser, Marcus Red Thunder, to ensure the film's accuracy. Filming took place in just 18 days on the Cheyenne and Arapaho land in Oklahoma.

An unexpected addition to the production was a sequence featuring a herd of 600 bison, which director Vincent Grashaw discovered during location scouting and incorporated into the film practically on the spot.

The film has resonated particularly with Indigenous audiences, sparking conversations about ending cycles of violence and addiction. Despite its challenging subject matter, Phillips maintains that it is an honest and impactful film. When asked about the proposed third installment of Young Guns, Phillips remains puzzled, stating that he doesn't understand why it hasn't been greenlit yet. He has read the script and considers it "unbelievable."

Phillips is also intrigued by the possibility of revisiting his supernatural thriller, The First Power, which has garnered a cult following, including a fan in Jordan Peele. In addition to these projects, Phillips finds himself in unexpected roles, such as his casting in The Chair Company. He laughs at the surprise of being considered for this role, as he wonders who thought of him for it. The second season of The Chair Company is currently in production, and Phillips describes it as "crazier than ever."