Kevin Costner Expresses Gratitude to Supporters as “Horizon 2” Premieres at Venice After Release Date Delay
Kevin Costner fans will have the chance to see Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2 on the big screen, but they’ll need to travel to Italy in September.
The 2024 Venice International Film Festival recently announced it will screen the second part of Costner’s ambitious Western epic. In response, the actor, writer, producer, and director expressed his gratitude on Instagram, thanking “those willing to stand” for the film industry.
“I’m indebted to Alberto Barbera for his courage and leadership in committing to this cinematic journey,” Costner wrote, referring to the festival’s artistic director. “With gratitude and excitement, I return to the Venice Film Festival. Long live the movies and those who stand for them.” Chapter 2 is set to premiere on Saturday, September 7, following a screening of the already released Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 earlier that same day.
“The decision to show Chapter 1 before the world premiere of Chapter 2 that evening reflects their belief in how the two films complement each other and their support for a director’s vision,” Costner stated. He mentioned it has always been his dream to showcase the second film at Venice.
Horizon: Chapter 1 was released in U.S. theaters on June 28, with Chapter 2 originally scheduled for an August 16 release. However, due to the first film’s disappointing box office performance, the distributor and Costner’s Territory Pictures opted to delay Chapter 2 to allow for a broader audience for Chapter 1. The first chapter was made available on demand on July 16 and is expected to be available on the streaming service Max soon.
“Kevin made this film for people who love cinema and want to embark on a journey,” Territory Pictures stated on July 10. “The support we’ve received from film fans and theater owners during the first chapter reinforces our belief in the films we’ve created, and we thank them for coming along for the ride.”
They added, “We welcome the opportunity for this window to be expanded, knowing it will enhance the experience of watching Horizon 2.”
Horizon narrates the expansive story of various characters living in the American West during the post-Civil War years. Costner, who co-wrote the screenplay with Jon Baird, stars as gunslinger Hayes Ellison. The film features an all-star cast, including Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Giovanni Ribisi, Michael Rooker, Danny Huston, Jena Malone, Luke Wilson, Abbey Lee, Will Patton, and Costner’s son, Hayes.
Costner plans to continue the saga with two more chapters currently in development, having invested $38 million of his own money into the project. This marks a significant venture for the filmmaker, known for taking risks.
“The real gamble would be ignoring my heart and what it’s telling me,” Costner shared in a June cover story for PEOPLE. “I’ve had an incredible life—I’ve been bruised, but I’m grateful for all of it.”
