“Offered ‘Limitless’ Money for a $200M Movie With His Idol, Kevin Costner Walked Away for Something Better”
Kevin Costner Passed on $200M Blockbuster With Sean Connery to Pursue His Passion Project — And It Paid Off
Kevin Costner’s decision to step away from Yellowstone before its final season left many fans disappointed. But for Costner, the move was about more than scheduling—it was about passion. The actor-director chose to prioritize his ambitious Western epic, Horizon: An American Saga, even going so far as to fund the project himself.
This wasn’t the first time Costner walked away from a major opportunity in favor of a personal vision. In the early 1990s, at the height of his career, he passed on the lead role in The Hunt for Red October—a decision that meant turning down not just a massive paycheck, but also the chance to star alongside his idol, Sean Connery. The film would go on to make over $200 million and become a major hit.
Why Costner Said No to The Hunt for Red October
Costner was originally approached to play Jack Ryan, the now-iconic CIA analyst created by author Tom Clancy. Director John McTiernan saw Costner as the perfect fit for the role. But the timing couldn’t have been worse. Costner had already committed to Dances With Wolves, a film he was not only starring in but also directing. Postponing it any further wasn’t an option.
“There was more money offered on The Hunt for Red October than I had ever seen in my life,” Costner later revealed in an interview. “But I had already delayed Dances once, and I wasn’t going to do it again. I gave my word.”
Many assumed he was holding out for a bigger paycheck, but Costner clarified that money wasn’t the issue. “They thought I was being difficult or trying to negotiate,” he said. “But ‘no’ really meant ‘no.’ I wasn’t trying to get more money—I was already all-in on Dances With Wolves.”
It was a massive gamble. He risked everything—turning down a surefire blockbuster with a Hollywood legend and investing his own resources into a risky directorial debut. But the gamble paid off.
A Career-Defining Choice
Costner’s Dances With Wolves would go on to become one of the most celebrated films of the decade. It grossed over $400 million worldwide and swept the 1991 Academy Awards, taking home seven Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Costner.
Meanwhile, The Hunt for Red October found success with Alec Baldwin stepping into the role of Jack Ryan, and Sean Connery delivering a memorable performance as Captain Marko Ramius.
Costner later got his own chance to be part of the Jack Ryan universe, playing Ryan’s mentor in 2014’s Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit.
The Missed Reunion With Sean Connery
One of the most personal losses for Costner in turning down Red October was missing the opportunity to work with Sean Connery again. The two had previously starred together in The Untouchables (1987), a collaboration that earned Connery an Oscar and cemented their on-screen chemistry.
Following Connery’s passing in 2020, Costner paid tribute on social media, calling the late actor “the biggest star I ever worked with” and recalling how gracious and inclusive Connery had been both on and off the set.
“I will be forever grateful to be linked with him on film,” Costner wrote. “Sean Connery was a man’s man who had an amazing career.”
No Regrets
In hindsight, turning down The Hunt for Red October may have seemed like a career risk, but it was one that shaped Costner’s legacy. Dances With Wolves proved not only that he could lead a film but also that he could helm a major production from behind the camera. It launched him as a credible filmmaker and a serious force in Hollywood.
For Costner, the choice wasn’t about stubbornness or money—it was about staying true to his vision. And in the end, that choice didn’t just earn him critical acclaim and awards; it defined his career.
