Big Love alum Bill Paxton will play Randall McCoy to Kevin Costner’s Anse Hatfield in the miniseries The Hatfields and McCoys, History announced on Tuesday. Kevin Reynolds (Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves) meanwhile has signed on to direct the project.
The Hatfields and McCoys recounts the story of “Devil” Anse Hatfield and Randall McCoy, who at first were close friends during the Civil War. But when they returned to their respective homes in West Virginia and neighboring Kentucky, assorted tensions, misunderstandings and resentments eventually fueled an all-out family feud — one that, as it escalated, nearly brought the two states to the brink of another Civil War.
Among the issues ‘tween the broods, per History’s press release: an ultimately disastrous love affair between Hatfield’s son and McCoy’s daughter; the execution of McCoy’s three sons in retaliation for the murder of Hatfield’s brother; and a New Year’s Massacre of the McCoy clan and burning of their home.
In addition to his Golden Globe-nominated turn on HBO’s Big Love, Paxton’s credits include the films Tombstone, Apollo 13 and Twister, while Academy Award winner Costner has fronted numerous features, including The Untouchables, Field of Dreams and Dances with Wolves.
