Fan Casting Franklin Willis in The Bounty of Ryder Presents — Mace & Sue

Sterling K. Brown as Franklin Willis: A principled young lawman and Mace's lifelong friend. Willis is among the people Mace trusts most and shares his belief that law enforcement should exist to protect innocent people rather than serve those in positions of power. Their friendship predates Willis's eventual appointment as marshal, and his experiences alongside Mace help establish the professional relationship between the two men seen in later years. Willis eventually becomes the marshal of the settlement that develops into Cody, Wyoming, and continues to play a significant role in the Ryder family's history. Christopher Judge portrays the older Willis in the mainline films.