Kevin Costner Breaks Silence on Horizon: Chapter 2 Cancellation Following Chapter 1 Flop
Kevin Costner Addresses Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2 Cancellation Amid Franchise Uncertainty
With the future of the Horizon: An American Saga franchise hanging in the balance, Kevin Costner has spoken out about the cancellation of Chapter 2’s planned release. The ambitious four-part Western epic got off to a rocky start when Chapter 1 debuted in June 2024, grossing only $36.1 million against a $50 million production budget and receiving mixed reviews from critics.
Originally slated for an August release, Chapter 2 was unexpectedly pulled from Warner Bros.’ schedule. However, the studio did showcase the sequel at the Venice International Film Festival. During the Venice press conference, Costner reflected on the decision to cancel the wide release, suggesting it was likely a reaction to the underwhelming box office performance of the first installment:
“It didn’t have overwhelming success. I’ve had a lot of movies that way, that have stood the test of time.”
Despite the setback, Costner highlighted some positives about the cancellation. He was grateful for the opportunity to premiere Chapter 2 at Venice — something he wouldn’t have been allowed if the movie had already been released widely. This also aligned with his original plan to space the films about five to six months apart:
“For me, it fell back into my plan. I always wanted to come out with movies about five-six months apart. That was going to allow me to come to Venice. I would have never come here if the film was already out.”
What Kevin Costner’s Comments Mean for Chapter 2’s Release
While the cancellation surprised many, it was perhaps understandable given the first film’s reception. Importantly, Costner confirmed that the decision was made by the studio, not by him. This is notable considering Costner personally invested $38 million into the first two chapters, which combined are estimated to have cost around $100 million.
Despite his financial stake, Warner Bros. ultimately controls the marketing and distribution, and thus must be confident the films can recoup their costs and turn a profit. Although Chapter 1 struggled at the box office, it found success on VOD platforms, possibly encouraging the studio to still consider the sequel’s release.
The Future of the Horizon Franchise
Costner remains hopeful about completing the saga’s final two chapters, but their future is uncertain. Early reviews for Chapter 2’s Venice premiere have been mixed to negative, mirroring the reception of Chapter 1’s Cannes debut. While Chapter 1 earned a 70% audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the lukewarm critical response casts a shadow over the franchise’s prospects.
The remaining films—Chapters 3 and 4—are ambitious projects, expected to require an additional $100 million in funding. Filming for Chapter 3 is currently on hold, with Costner aiming to shoot both Chapters 3 and 4 back-to-back in spring 2025. However, reports suggest he is still seeking financing to complete production.
The franchise’s biggest chance for survival hinges on Warner Bros. eventually moving forward with a theatrical release for Chapter 2. Considering Chapter 1 premiered amidst competition from family-friendly blockbusters like Inside Out 2 and Despicable Me 4, as well as the success of A Quiet Place: Day One, the studio might find a more favorable window in 2025 — possibly early November — to avoid direct competition, aside from Marvel’s Blade reboot and Now You See Me 3.
