Russell Crowe, Christian Bale and Peter Fonda will ride into Westwood tonight for the premiere of "3:10 to Yuma," the new film from "Walk the Line" director James Mangold. The film is based on Elmore Leonard's classic western short story about a notorious, ruthless outlaw named Ben Wade and the dirt-poor, one-legged rancher named Dan Evans who pledges to bring him to justice.

Lenoard's story was published in Dime Western Magazine in 1953 and made into a movie in 1957. Mangold, who was just 17 when he saw it, says, "It startled me because the questions the film asked about morality, courage, honor and family were very sophisticated."   

Both an intense action flick and a classic character drama, "Yuma" is considered the first horse out of the gate, an early contender in the race to the 2008 Oscars. Neither Crowe nor Bale are overly fond of doing press and there's no swanky, schmoozy post-premiere party planned. But I have a feeling they'll be happy to chat on the carpet about this film, one of the best released so far this year.

This is Bale's second great '07 performance; the first is in the Vietnam War era true story of a U.S. prisoner-of-war in "Rescue Dawn." Crowe also has another major role in "American Gangster," due out in November and directed by Ridley Scott, who also directed him in his Oscar-winning role in "Gladiator."

This, as they say in the awards biz, could be both Bale's and Crowe's year. Don't take my word for it. Check out the movie's website by clicking here. As for Fonda, just give the guy a supporting actor Oscar now. Seriously. He's that good as the grizzled bounty hunter Byron McElroy.

Photo credit: Lionsgate