Where this was said
Deadwood Legends: David Milch and 'We're Gonna Kill the Kid'
At 42:09 · chapter starts 40:20
Sean Hayes references a Deadwood story he saw on Olyphant's Instagram, and Olyphant obliges with the full version. On a day when rumblings on set suggested a dispute about a child actor's reps or mother, Deadwood creator David Milch — a Yale-educated genius with a famously colorful biography — appeared at Olyphant's trailer. The exchange is now legend: Milch said simply, 'We're gonna kill the kid.' Then, in a move of pure showbiz alchemy, he immediately began spinning it as a great opportunity — great for the show, great for Olyphant's character, and, remarkably, 'good for the kid too.' What started as a production dispute became the spine of an entire season. The story perfectly captures the unpredictable, brilliant, chaotic magic of David Milch.
After some rumblings on set about a child actor's reps, Deadwood creator David Milch appeared at Olyphant's trailer and announced: 'We're gonna kill the kid.' He immediately spun it as great for Olyphant, great for the kid, and great for the season — classic Milch.
Director Larry Kasdan walked up to Olyphant after multiple takes and said: 'Tim, there's a joke there, but we wouldn't know it 'cause you keep fucking it up.' Blunt, useful, and — as Olyphant concedes — completely accurate.
