“Kevin Costner’s ‘Horizon’: A Passion Project Born from His Dream Film”
Kevin Costner is eager to clarify one point about his new film: “Horizon: An American Saga” isn’t three hours long.
“It’s two hours and fifty-one minutes,” he emphasized during a recent interview, sipping tea with honey amid a busy press tour. “Let’s be really clear about that.”
As the film’s co-writer, producer, director, and co-star, Costner is intimately familiar with every detail, including the exact running time. The epic western, set during the American Civil War era, has been a passion project for Costner for decades, and he’s unconcerned about whether the length might deter viewers with shorter attention spans.
“I make movies to keep people engaged,” he said. “I offer them a different perspective, which can sometimes make it challenging to get them made initially because they’re a bit unconventional.”
The film marks the beginning of a grand four-part saga, with the first chapter premiering on June 28 and the second arriving on August 16. The initial film introduces a dramatic conflict between settlers and the indigenous peoples of the American West.
Costner is currently working on the third installment of the series.
“These stories and characters evolve continually, with their situations becoming more desperate and thrilling,” he explained. “Because we’ve come to know and care about them, the third film, which I’m shooting right now, is incredibly dynamic.”
Fans of Costner’s acclaimed 1990 film “Dances with Wolves” and his role in “Yellowstone” will recognize his deep affinity for westerns, which he attributes to the inherent drama of these settings.
“The westward expansion was incredibly challenging,” he reflected. “You faced not only the vast unknown but also resistance from people who had lived there for millennia. Without any law or protection, the only drive was America’s belief that strength and boldness could secure something, provided you were willing to defend it. This attitude often led to conflict, and while a simplistic portrayal might be dull, a nuanced depiction of these dilemmas can be truly compelling.”
Costner’s film boasts a star-studded cast, including Abbey Lee, Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Jena Malone, and Luke Wilson. Directing such a talented ensemble has been a dream for Costner.
Why, then, did he choose to play the role of cowboy Hayes Ellison himself? For Costner, it was a deeply personal choice.
“I felt a unique connection to this role,” he said. “I even named my son after the character, who makes his acting debut in ‘Horizon.’ It’s been a significant journey for me, and I believe strongly in the power of storytelling.”
Costner, while not a historian, understands the relevance of releasing films set during pivotal times in American history, especially in a period of division. He hopes his project will encourage viewers to reflect on how the United States was united in the first place.
“Understanding history fosters empathy and brings us together,” he said. “If we grasp our shared past, we can thrive together. Without that understanding, we risk further division.”
“Horizon: An American Saga” premieres in theaters on June 28 and is distributed by Warner Bros., a part of Warner Bros. Discovery.
