Kevin Costner Calls for Increased Women Representation in Westerns
Kevin Costner is on a mission to revive the Western genre — and so far, it’s going pretty well. His ambitious movie series, Horizon, just screened its second installment in Santa Barbara, and fingers crossed, we’ll see it hitting theaters soon.
I enjoyed the first film and truly respect filmmakers who are passionate enough about their vision to invest their own money into bringing it to life. Costner has always been a vocal champion of Westerns, and during a Q&A at the Santa Barbara Film Festival, he shared why this genre means so much to him.
He described the American West as a kind of promised land.
Costner said, “We were told that if we could cross that Atlantic Ocean, there was a place waiting for us — like the Garden of Eden. If you were tough enough and determined enough, you could claim it.”
He added, “But that dream was a nightmare for the people who had lived here for 15,000 years. The land was fought over across the continent. It ended badly for Native Americans, and I’m not embarrassed by that history — I’m just upset that we don’t know more about it. And one thing that always bothered me was how few women appeared in Westerns, because there was never a Western without women.”
One standout feature of the Horizon films is how Costner made sure to tell a fuller, more diverse story. Women settlers and Native Americans are portrayed with depth, agency, and clear motivations.
He explained, “To think women couldn’t be influenced or coerced right in front of others? We’re kidding ourselves. It’s happening today all over the world. When we started writing, we couldn’t keep women out — they naturally drove many of our storylines. Honestly, it was just easier to have them involved.”
This is a great point, especially in a sweeping epic. There’s simply no excuse to leave women out of these stories, especially since, historically, women were crucial in the westward expansion and survival on the frontier.
It’s also encouraging to see gender parity slowly arriving in genres traditionally dominated by men. Introducing strong female characters can refresh old tropes and attract new audiences.
So, will we get to see more of this epic series?
Costner revealed, “I started this project back in 1988. At the time, I couldn’t get it made, and it didn’t seem like many people were interested. So I said, ‘Screw it, I’m going to write four more.’ I love Hollywood. I’m a romantic about what it can be and what it is.”
I’m hopeful those films get made. Costner is a true auteur, and I love experiencing the West through his eyes.
What do you think? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
