Armie Hammer returns in period western, 'Frontier Crucible': Watch

Armie Hammer, William H. Macy, and Thomas Jane headline the upcoming Western thriller Frontier Crucible.

Helmed by Travis Mills and set for release on December 5, the period feature also stars Myles Clohessy, Mary Stickley, Eli Brown, Ryan Masson, Zane Holtz, and Eddie Spears.

Based on Harry Whittington’s 1961 novel Desert Stake-Out, the film follows Merrick Beckford, who becomes entangled in a deadly struggle for survival after he and three dangerous outlaws inadvertently kill an Apache scout.

The intense Western drama captures themes of redemption, endurance, and frontier justice. In the trailer, Macy’s character instructs, “People need medical supplies down south, and you know how to navigate the Apache. You could do it — alone, unaccompanied.”

The indie project is produced by Dallas Sonnier, David Guglielmo, Lillian Campbell, and Preston Poulter. Sonnier, known for producing gritty genre films like Bone Tomahawk, Brawl in Cell Block 99, and Dragged Across Concrete, expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with Hammer.

“I’ve built a career producing masculine indie movies... And now, I’m pumped to work with Armie Hammer on Frontier Crucible,” Sonnier said.

This marks Hammer’s first feature since 20th Century Studios’ Death on the Nile (2022). The actor’s career stalled in 2021 following misconduct allegations, which he denied, claiming the relationships were consensual but admitting to emotional mistreatment.

Earlier, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Hammer shared optimism about his comeback: “I don’t need to be back making big studio films. I’m happy just making fun, smaller movies for now.”