We were a little premature in our assessment that this year's Raging Stallion blockbuster would be Hotter Than Hell, the two-part sextravaganza directed by Chris Ward & Ben Leon who brought you last year's award winning Grunts. Raging Stallion announced the final casting for what will be the biggest budgeted gay adult film of the year, To The Last Man. 

 The title To the Last Man isn't a play on words like many adult films have been--it's taken from a Zane Grey novel of the same name and supposedly based on it (loosely we assume). The western novel has been adapted before into two mainstream films in the 20s and 30s and more than likely is now in public domain. Interestingly To the Last Man was also used as the title for a pivotal episode of Torchwood earlier this year. 

  We don't know if  To the Last Man will be a period piece but it will keep the theme of rival ranches battling it out. And yes there will be horses used in the production--would you expect anything else from a company called Raging Stallion? Actually, in spite of its name Raging Stallion hasn't done a western or cowboy themed film before and they are spending extra bucks to get it right. Part of the $200 K spent here went to new film and sound equipment which allows them to use horses and livestock effectively. To the Last Man begins filing today through August and will be released on Thanksgiving weekend including a high-def Blu-ray edition.

  As for the casting it To the Last Man stars Ricky Sinz and Scott Tanner as the heads of the rival ranches and their cowboys include Jake Deckard, Damien Crosse, Logan McCree, R.J. Danvers, Tristan Jaxx, Bo Matthews, Antonio Biaggi, and Damian Rios. Guest performers selected to join the cast are Antton Harri, Jackson Wild, Jimmy Tripps, Rick Powers, and Scott Fremont. To The Last Man will be jointly directed by Chris Ward, Ben Leon and Tony Dimarco. Dimarco also serves as head writer and Ben Leon is serving as head of cinematography.

 Here's what Raging Stallion had to say in its press release:
 
 " 'We really enjoy shooting blockbuster films," commented RSS president Chris Ward. 'All of us are really looking forward to doing a real honest-to-goodness Western. It’s a sexy genre and it really goes with our company name!' Ward added that Raging Stallion has rented two ranches--one in New Mexico and one in California--for principal photography. 'Just like GRUNTS, we are going to be true to the genre-- this is not going to be a film about pretty boys riding horses—it’s rough and rugged and will look like the real deal.' Horses and cattle, together with wild elk, will be featured in the film.

Ben Leon, co-director and head cinematographer commented about the cast as follows: 'In the process of planning next years' blockbuster, we decided to significantly upgrade our shooting equipment. We have added a few expensive but essential pieces to our arsenal. As we move toward shooting more large narrative projects we've upgraded our sound equipment by buying new lavalier microphones for recording dialog on horses and additional boom mics for group scenes. We also bought a new steadicam, a dolly track, and a camera crane which will allow us to mix hand held work with smoother camera movements adding depth and weight to many of our shots.' All Raging Stallion films are shot on full-HD.

Tony Dimarco had this to say about the cast of To The Last Man: 'I'm very excited to be working on this film with such a stellar cast and crew. Rugged and handsome, the models for this film look like they could be right out of a Sergio Leone Western with the added bonus of being incredibly sexy and well hung!' Dimarco, who also wrote the script, enjoyed the challenge of writing a Western. 'The unspoken emotions of the mythic Cowboy mixed with a brooding sexuality makes writing this type of film rich with possibilities. Minimal, yet complex, the Western genre is full of drama and story.'

 

 The story of To The Last Man is one of violence and conflict as two rival gangs of cowboys fight it out to see who ends up on top--both literally and figuratively! Inspired by the films of Quentin Tarantino, To The Last Man ends in a dramatic shoot out that leaves blood and guts spilled across the screen. 'Not to worry,"'said Ward. 'here is a non-violent, all-sex edit for consumers who do not want to see all the mayhem! This movie is going to go where no porn film has gone before—it’s really a gay marriage between Adult and mainstream product that tells a story and shows lots of amazing sex. Some of the scenes will be pretty controversial--there is one scene in particular that is very upsetting...' Ward refused to elaborate "

  It sure looks like Raging Stallion is "gunning for" nominations and awards for the 2009 season.