“Kevin Costner Focuses on ‘Horizon’ Impact Beyond Box Office Success”

Kevin Costner is shaping a unique trajectory for his Western epic, “Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1,” with a focus that extends beyond traditional box office metrics.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the writer, director, producer, and star of the film emphasized that he’s not fixated on opening weekend numbers. Instead, he’s more concerned with ensuring that his four-film vision comes to fruition. “I’ve lived with movies and what happens to them on their opening weekend,” Costner shared. “If we put so much pressure on that, we’re bound to be disappointed.”

Costner expressed satisfaction with how “Horizon” turned out, stating, “I’m really happy that ‘Horizon’ looks like what it’s supposed to look like, and that’s the way it’ll look the rest of its life. And that’s really important to me in this process. Would I love that it would be highly successful? Of course, I’d like that. My ego would like that; everyone would like that. But I am happiest that the movie that you and I are talking about looks the way I want it to look.”

The interview took place before the film’s theatrical release, which saw “Horizon” earn $11 million in its opening weekend. With an estimated budget of around $100 million, including approximately $38 million of Costner’s own investment, the film is a significant personal and financial commitment.

“Horizon” is envisioned as a four-part series, with Warner Bros. set to release the second installment on August 16. Costner is currently working on the third film.

Determined to secure a theatrical release for both films, Costner told IndieWire’s Anne Thompson, “That’s where I belong. And I also felt that I have to look at things from a monetary standpoint, because I have so much invested, that I didn’t want to throw that window away. But artistically, I thought it should be on the big screen.”

Costner revealed that he invested $100 million of his own money into “Horizon” 1 and 2 and is committed to completing the series. “If I make the fourth one, it will be over [$120 million],” he said. “People don’t know what the reality is. ‘Oh, you know what, I’m happier that these two have been made.’ And then I know by hook or by crook, I’m going to make three. And by hook or by crook, I’m going to make four. The truth isn’t really that important to a lot of people.”