A few weeks after announcing the adaptation of The Magnificent Seven, the cult western directed by John Sturges in 1960, MGM+ has revealed the identity of the actor who will play Chris Adams in this eight-episode series.
Played by Yul
Brynner in the original film, the character will this time
be portrayed by Matt Dillon in the series by
Tim Kring (Heroes) and Donald De
Line (Billy the Kid). Chris Adams is
described as a stoic man, unwilling to tolerate hypocrisy or
cruelty. Self-possessed under pressure, he acts according to a
moral code based on fairness and restraint.
According to Michael Wright, the head of MGM+,
Matt
Dillon will bring “extraordinary depth and
gravitas to this iconic role.” He adds: “His ability to
portray complex, morally conflicted characters makes him the
perfect choice to lead our reimagining of The
Magnificent Seven”.
In this new version, set in the American West of the 1880s, Chris Adams will lead a group of mercenaries hired to protect a Quaker village from a ruthless land baron who will stop at nothing to seize their land. This first season will explore the backstories of each of the Seven Mercenaries, while posing a central question: is violence acceptable to defend people whose faith is based on non-violence?
Filming for The Magnificent Seven will begin in Calgary in June 2026, so you’ll have to be patient before you can see Matt Dillon in this iconic role on MGM+.
