What’s the Latest on Kevin Costner’s “Horizon” Series?
In “Yellowstone,” Kevin Costner’s John Dutton would go to great lengths to protect his family. In reality, it seems nothing will deter the actor from his own ambitious quest: directing and starring in his four-part Western epic. Titled Horizon: An American Saga, the franchise’s inaugural installment faced a tough start earlier this summer. The film struggled with critics at the Cannes Film Festival and didn’t perform well at the box office. Nonetheless, Costner’s determination remains unwavering.
Costner recently unveiled Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2 at the Venice Film Festival, just two months after the second entry was pulled from its planned theatrical release. “It didn’t have overwhelming success,” Costner admitted to reporters, according to Variety. “I’ve had a lot of movies that way, that have stood the test of time.”
Initially, New Line Cinema had scheduled the release of the second film just six weeks after the first. However, due to the first film’s underperformance, the studio removed it from their release calendar. Currently, Chapter 2 lacks a new release date. Costner reflected on this setback: “For me, it fell back into my plan, which was I always wanted to come out with movies about five-six months apart. When I feel rejection, unlike anybody else, when I open my eyes from my disappointment, my desire is only increased.”
In the first film, Costner portrays Hayes Ellison, a horse trader who rescues a woman and her son from a dangerous killer in 19th-century Montana. The narrative features a series of interconnected vignettes, beginning with an Apache rebellion in the town of Horizon and culminating in a revenge journey along the Santa Fe Trail.
Chapter 2 will continue the saga, focusing on the survivors as they gear up for their next battle. Returning cast members include Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Danny Huston, Luke Wilson, Giovanni Ribisi, and Thomas Haden Church. The sequel promises to offer a “multi-faceted depiction of the Civil War expansion and settlement of the American West.” Despite its premiere at Venice, there is no current plan for Chapter 2 to hit theaters. Costner hopes the Venice debut might rekindle interest in the franchise. He also remains committed to completing his four-part epic, stating, “I don’t know how I’m going to make ‘Three’ right now, but I’m going to make it.”
