How Danny McBride Cast [SPOILER] in an Epic Civil War Battle for ‘The Righteous Gemstones’ Season 4 Premiere: ‘My Pie-in-the-Sky Pick’

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❗️CAUTION: This tale includes plot twists from the first episode of “The Righteous Gemstones” Season 4, available to stream on Max.

The original statement is warning that the following story contains spoilers for the premiere episode of “The Righteous Gemstones”, which can be found on Max.)

To make the debut of “The Righteous Gemstones”‘ fourth season, a HBO comedy about a fictional clan of South Carolina megachurch pastors created and played by Danny McBride, unforgettable, he recognized the importance of securing the perfect cast. In previous episodes, they had delved into characters’ backstories using younger iterations of familiar faces such as Eli (John Goodman), Jesse (McBride himself), Judy (Edi Patterson) and Kelvin (Adam Devine). However, this time around, season 4 starts more than 150 years ago and remains there for approximately 40 minutes.

McBride expressed that he was well aware it would be quite challenging, during the season premiere gathering earlier this week, when he spoke to EbMaster. He had been anticipating the new season for over a year, and crafting an episode without any of the regular cast was tricky. To bring Elijah Gemstone, a rogue drawn into the Civil War and setting the family’s religious hypocrisy in motion, to life, the “Gemstones” team needed a guest star whose charisma would make up for the absence of familiar family dynamics. (McBride collaborated on the episode with executive producers John Carcieri and Jeff Fradley.)

McBride expressed that his ideal choice would be Bradley Cooper. Having risen to fame through “The Hangover” series, Cooper is accustomed to crude and audacious humor. However, he’s lately shifted towards prestigious projects, even directing himself in the critically acclaimed films “Maestro” and “A Star Is Born”. Interestingly, before McBride sent him the script for the episode titled ‘Prelude’, Cooper had never seen the show before. McBride referred to Cooper taking on the role as ‘a bit of a miracle’, which aligns with the series’ focus on evangelism.

As “Prelude” nears its close, Elijah undergoes a personal miracle, but not before paying a visit to the Virginia church of Pastor Abel Grieves (portrayed by Josh McDermitt). In his sermon, Abel advocates for “state’s rights,” and collects donations from congregants who are already struggling due to the ongoing war. Elijah expresses his disapproval with a casual, “That doesn’t seem very righteous to me.” He then shoots Abel, takes the offerings, and keeps Abel’s gold-plated Bible. Just as some Confederate recruiters arrive, Elijah kills Grieves’ corpse with the collection plate, feigns his own death, and assumes the preacher’s identity.

In a hurry to take advantage of chaplains being paid a generous $50 a week, he brutally mutilates Grieves’ body with the collection plate, pretends to be dead, and adopts the role of the preacher.

Elijah might appear as a holy figure, yet his façade seems questionable. He indulges in alcohol and gambling, and he confronts a skeptical soldier in a way reminiscent of Jesse Gemstones, hinting at a possible trip to Hell. When faced with a dying man, instead of offering comfort, he awkwardly suggests, “Go be with Him…I believe that’s it, I suppose!” Rather than delivering an uplifting sermon, he advises his followers to “cease striving against God and simply do your best.

McBride chose Cooper for the role because he could give Elijah a charismatic roguishness that remains appealing despite his actions. As McBride stated, “For ‘Gemstones,’ we need actors with a certain level of charm and charisma as these characters are doing reprehensible things. If an actor is too gloomy or lacking in charm, it can be difficult to watch. ‘Gemstones’ walks a fine line: it needs to be entertaining even though the characters are not exactly admirable.” Elijah, who murders a man who recognizes him and hides the body in a full coffin, is no exception. However, he always maintains Cooper’s characteristic mischievous spark, making it challenging not to root for his survival, despite his doomed actions.

As a movie reviewer, I’d say: “Stepping into ‘Prelude,’ the creators of ‘The Righteous Gemstones’ masterfully crafted a world centered around Elijah, delivering intense battles and bustling camps within just 10 days of filming. Having grown up in Virginia, Danny McBride infused Elijah’s roots with a personal touch, reminiscing about his childhood filled with Civil War tales. He fondly recalled unearthing bullets and artifacts in his own backyard. The challenge was to bring this era to life, which had been a dream of his for some time. However, the task proved formidable due to the almost exclusive use of exterior shots amidst the humid, rainy Southern climate. ‘Prelude’ was a testament to our team’s agility and resilience as we navigated through each daylight hour, making the most of every opportunity.

For a series accustomed to orchestrating musical performances, high-speed motorcycle pursuits, and monster truck competitions, “Prelude” ventures into uncharted territory. As McBride puts it, “It serves as a reminder for the audience not to anticipate this season’s events – anything is possible. We’re striving to surpass ourselves creatively to present something unprecedented and surprising.” After all, this episode marks the final first impression the show will ever make.

In a disgraceful turn of events, Elijah’s military career concludes when he is captured by the Union. Amidst the chaos of battle, however, the thief, murderer, and chronic drinker attempts an unprecedented act – he prays, heartfelt and for his own salvation. It seems as if in response, the Union captain discovers a Bible and grants him clemency. Before leaving as a free man, Elijah prays with his former companions who now face execution. He is not suddenly transformed into an eloquent speaker, but his words resonate more deeply than before. “They killed because they had to,” he says of the soldiers, “I understand it’s not perfect, but it’s better than killing for greed or out of malice.” Once the task is completed, Elijah loads the dead onto a wagon and returns them to base, proclaiming God spared his life. He seems to truly believe this, as that night he opens the opulent Bible and begins reading from the start.

The ‘Prelude’ serves as both the origin tale and characterization of the Gemstone dynasty, embodying a complex blend of materialistic ambition and unwavering faith that has captivated McBride and his peers since its inception. Originally, this mindset manifested in a less extravagant, late-capitalist form such as Christian resorts and ‘Baby Billy’s Bible Bonkers.’ However, it was forged on the battlefield, serving a cause that was ultimately lost and destructive. The Gemstones, particularly Elijah, are not immune to sin.

Abby Lee contributed to this report.

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2025-03-10 05:48