“Inside Kevin Costner’s $38 Million Bet on Horizon”

At times, Kevin Costner envisions himself watching a film about his own life. He imagines sitting in a dark theater, rooting for his on-screen self just as audiences have for years. During moments of struggle, he reflects, “I need to be my own movie.” Costner, a lifelong fan of Westerns, often sees parallels between his life and those of the heroes who ride into seemingly insurmountable challenges only to emerge triumphant. His journey in Hollywood began with a significant setback: in 1983’s The Big Chill, he was cast but ultimately had all his scenes cut. Friends encouraged him to promote the film, but he declined, believing that a more interesting story awaited him.

Costner embraces the challenging path. When Ron Shelton cast him in 1988’s Bull Durham, he insisted on auditioning despite already having the role. Shelton recalls their day of batting practice, where Costner dazzled with his skills, even as passersby remained unaware of his future fame.

A few years later, as his star rose, Costner leveraged his newfound influence to create Dances With Wolves, a project that studios were hesitant to back. He turned down a lucrative opportunity to star in The Hunt for Red October to pursue his vision. “It felt like Gollum with the ring,” he recalled, recognizing the temptation but choosing to honor his commitment. The film, released in 1990, garnered critical acclaim, receiving 12 Academy Award nominations and winning seven, including best picture.

Now 69, Costner has experienced a resurgence over the past decade, delivering impressive performances in film and starring in the hit series Yellowstone. While many actors might be satisfied with their success, Costner’s nature drives him to pursue his passions obsessively. “I’m grateful I’ve never seen a UFO,” he mused, pondering the unshakeable impact of such an experience.

One of his ongoing passions is a Western titled Horizon, which he has been developing since 1988. The narrative has transformed over the years from a simple story between two characters to an expansive tale about the founding of a town during a turbulent period in American history. In 2003, he almost made Horizon with Disney but walked away over budget disagreements. Years later, he revisited the project, working with screenwriter Jon Baird to expand it into four scripts. Reflecting on this, Costner acknowledged the difficulty: “Nobody wanted to make one, so I wrote four more. But I believe in the story, even if it’s hard to justify.”

Eventually, when studios showed little interest, Costner decided to finance the film himself, with two undisclosed investors. Recently, Warner Bros. joined the project, handling distribution for the first two films. Reports have highlighted the financial risk Costner has undertaken. “They say I’ve put $20 million into this movie, but that’s not true. The real number is about $38 million,” he revealed.

Before filming Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 in Utah during summer 2022, Costner faced personal challenges, including the loss of both parents and a messy contract dispute over Yellowstone. In a further blow, his wife of 18 years filed for divorce. Yet, through it all, he persevered to produce two Horizon films, set to be released within months of each other in summer 2023.

Reflecting on his journey during a conversation at his Santa Barbara home, Costner noted the importance of finding joy amid difficulties. “I see myself in the dark, asking: Are you going to stand up and finish this? Get up, Kevin. Find the joy every day and work hard to complete this project.”

Filming began in August 2022 in the scenic Moab area, where the crew battled extreme weather conditions. By November, winter was closing in, and Costner raced against time to wrap production. The rugged landscape, reminiscent of classic Westerns, inspired him, despite warnings from producers about the challenges of shooting in Utah, where infrastructure is limited.

Costner remains committed to the film’s vision. He told Sienna Miller, one of the film’s stars, “I will show you an America you have only dreamed of.”

One of his producers, Howard Kaplan, observed the old-school spirit of filmmaking at play: “This is John Ford stuff,” he remarked, noting the camaraderie among the crew as they navigated the challenges of production. Costner often immersed himself in the creative process, sometimes choosing to stay in his trailer on set, savoring the beauty of the night sky and reflecting on his dreams for the film.