“Kevin Costner Overwhelmed by Fans as ‘Horizon 2’ Receives Rousing Standing Ovation at Venice, Shares Heartfelt Moment with Susan Sarandon”

Kevin Costner’s latest Western installment, “Horizon: An American Saga,” received a warm three-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday. Following the applause, he was quickly surrounded by excited fans eager for selfies and videos, prompting security to escort him away for safety.

“Horizon 2” premiered at the festival’s smaller Sala Giardino, as the larger Sala Grande was occupied by the festival’s awards ceremony. The film is a follow-up to June’s “Horizon: Chapter One,” which premiered at Cannes to a notable seven-minute ovation. Before leaving the venue, Costner shared a heartfelt hug with his “Bull Durham” co-star Susan Sarandon, who congratulated him with a kiss on the cheek. The two had recently reunited at a Better World Fund philanthropy event earlier in the week, with Costner expressing on Instagram, “There’s nothing like catching up with an old friend.”

“Horizon 2” was added to Venice’s lineup on short notice, announced just a month before the festival. Earlier this month, the U.S. release planned for August 16 was scrapped following disappointing box office results for the first installment, which opened with only $11 million despite a budget of around $100 million. At a press conference on Saturday, Costner acknowledged that the decision was likely influenced by the film’s lackluster performance, stating, “It didn’t have overwhelming success. I’ve had a lot of movies that way that have stood the test of time.”

Despite the challenges, Costner remains committed to completing the saga, revealing that the scripts for the next two films are already written and teasing that “Chapter Three” is “devastating.” He expressed determination to bring it to life, stating, “I don’t know how I’m going to make ‘Three’ right now, but I’m going to make it.”

In “Chapter Two,” Costner reprises his dual role as director and star, leading a returning cast that includes Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Jena Malone, and Danny Huston. The film continues the narrative of the first chapter, offering a complex portrayal of the Civil War and the settlement of the American West. Costner co-wrote the film with Jon Baird and produced it through his company, Territory Pictures.