Cult filmmaker Monte Hellman is on his way back with a new movie, a western epic entitled "Desperadoes." Good news in and of itself, but get this: Martin Scorsese and Paul Thomas Anderson are on board as producers!

Says Variety: "Cult filmmaker Monte Hellman is set to direct "Desperadoes," based on the novel of the same name by Ron Hansen about the infamous Dalton gang. Joyce Wethington's Jammee Rose Prods. is producing, while Paul Thomas Anderson and Martin Scorsese are exec producers.

Hansen also penned "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford," which writer-director Andrew Dominik is adapting for Warner Bros. Brad Pitt starrer, produced by Scott Free and Pitt's Plan B, will be released this fall.

Scribe Charles Eastman is adapting "Desperadoes," which revolves around the exploits of the Dalton gang and the beautiful Eugenia Moore, who fell in love with Bob Dalton and helped the brothers rob trains, either directly or by distracting the local marshal.

Film is skedded to begin lensing this fall in Alberta. Casting has not been set."

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Mr. Hellman's films include "Ride in the Whirlwind" (1965), "Two-Lane Blacktop" (1971), "Cockfighter" (1974), and "Silent Night, Deadly Night 3: Better Watch Out!" (1989).