Dan Patrick Selects Taylor Sheridan
to Make Film for Alamo Tourist Center

Capitol Inside
April 7, 2026

Taylor Sheridan - a North Carolina native who moved to Texas when he was still a kid - faces a critical dilemma as an artist as to whether he will tell the real story about the Alamo in a new film for tourists that he's agreed to make or try to recreate fantasies from the movie that John Wayne made for release in 1960.

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick announced on Tuesday that Sheridan would produce a film for viewing at a state-of-the-art 4D theater that will be part of a visitor center and museum that's under construction at the site in downtown San Antonio with plans to open at some point in 2028.

Patrick gave the impression that he'd made the call on Sheridan's enlistment for the project without the need to consider other candidates. The Republican who serves as the Texas Senate president did not say whether Governor Greg Abbott or Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham had input on the selection of Sheridan for the project. Buckingham leads the General Land Office, the state agency that's actually in charge of the Alamo renovation and expansion project.

But Patrick has been the Alamo's top promoter in recent years - and he took the lead during legislative sessions on the funding for the museum and facility where tourists can learn more about the mission and battle in the Texas revolution that put it on the map. Patrick said he had "reached out" to the board for the Alamo Trust on the Sheridan recruitment for the tourist film and expected its members to be excited about the move.

“Once I saw the plan for the theater, I knew there was only one screenwriter, film producer, and director in the world to make this film for the Alamo Museum – Taylor Sheridan," Patrick said in a statement that he post on X and his web site. "Over the last decade, Taylor has told the story of the American west – the people, the land, the depth, and the history – in a way no other filmmaker has. In addition to his amazing film portfolio, Taylor is a native Texan who knows and loves our state and its history.

“I reached out to Taylor and asked if he would consider filming and directing this historic project at the Alamo," the Republican lieutenant governor added. "Despite his incredible schedule, he did not hesitate before enthusiastically answering yes.”

Sheridan - for the record - was born in the North Carolina city of Chapel Hill. But Sheridan moved with his family to the Lone Star State when he was child - and while he was raised in the Fort Worth area - he spent a considerable amount of time on a family ranch in Cranfills Gap before heading off to college. .

Sheridan broke into the movie business as a screenwriter who penned the scripts for Sicario and Hell or High Water, which earned him an Oscar nomination for best screenplay along with a nod for best picture as well. Sheridan wrote and directed the 2017 film Wind River and a sequel for Sicario.

But Sheridan has become a legend as mastermind behind a slew of television shows such as Yellowstone, 1923 and 1888 and series that are still active including Landman, Lioness, Mayor of Kingstown, Tulsa King and two that are new, The Madison and Marshals, one of several Yellowstone spinoffs that have been in the works. Sheridan had a recurring guest role as an actor on Yellowstone as the top cowboy on a Texas ranch where the Dutton family shopped for horses.

Patrick has expressed his admiration for Sheridan since the two met and had dinner several years ago. After befriending Sheridan, Patrick threw his support in 2025 behind legislation that earmarked $300 million for film and television production incentives over the course of the next two years. Patrick faced fierce opposition from staunch conservatives who viewed it as a handout to Hollywood liberals. The lieutenant governor initially proposed a two-year outlay of $500 million before it was scaled back to pass the bill.

Patrick didn't go into details of the arrangement that he says he forged with Sheridan for the Alamo film. The lieutenant governor, who recurring guest pastor at a Houston megachurch, has said he'd like to see some of the money spent on faith-based productions. Sheridan's film for the tourist landmark presumably won't contain the sex, violence and nudity that have been frequent themes in some of his most successful shows.

“This is an amazing gift from Taylor, and a big win for Texas, from this iconic and gifted storyteller, screenwriter, and director. He has agreed to join us in telling the story of the Battle of the Alamo for the millions who will visit the Alamo in the years to come,” Patrick added.

“The Alamo is the very bedrock Texas was founded upon," Sheridan said. "To chronicle the sacrifice made by the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives defending the Alamo is an honor I eagerly accept.”

more to come ...