"Rooster" Cogburn in the Old American West, and detail his role in bringing justice to outlaws and bandits who wrongfully terrorize small towns and villages.

[6] Similarly, the made-for-television third movie received muddled reception from critics and viewers alike, with critiques angled at its new cast and the story which was called "generic".

[11][12] When the film rights were acquired by Paramount Pictures, filmmaker Henry Hathaway optioned to take a more fictionalized approach to the story stating that he viewed the novel as "a fairytale... a fantasy that I couched in as realistic terms as possible.

Along the way the pair form an alliance with a Texas Ranger named LaBoeuf, who is conducting a manhunt of his own given that Chaney is wanted for the assassination of a U.S. senator.

Upon setting out on his journey, to Rooster's dismay he is once again accompanied by a young woman named Eula Goodnight; who wants to also avenge the wrongs of her town and the murder of her father.

Upon spending all of the money, Cogburn decides that they will make a stop at the home of the Sumner family; with intentions to in so doing complete one of the many tasks on his ever-growing list.

The plot would center around the character of Mattie Ross, and approach the story from her point of view as opposed to that of Reuben "Rooster" Cogburn.

[20] Hailee Steinfeld, Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, and Josh Brolin lead the cast as Mattie, Rooster, LaBoeuf, and Tom Chaney, respectively.