Kevin Costner Moved to Tears by 10-Minute Standing Ovation for “Horizon” at Cannes

Kevin Costner was deeply moved by the response to his new film, Horizon: An American Saga, which has taken 35 years to come to fruition.

At its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on May 19, the Yellowstone star, 69, received a heartfelt 10-minute standing ovation. Horizon is a four-part Western drama that explores a 15-year period before and after the American Civil War.

In an emotional address, Costner expressed his gratitude for the audience’s warm reception, stating he would “never forget” their reaction and thanked them for their “precious time.” He emphasized that the moment was significant not only for him but also for the cast and those who believed in the project.

The film features a talented ensemble, including Sienna Miller, Jamie Campbell Bower, Ella Hunt, Sam Worthington, Isabelle Fuhrman, and Jena Malone, all of whom committed to Costner’s ambitious vision.

Costner attended the premiere with five of his seven children—Annie, Cayden, Grace, Lily, and Hayes, who makes his acting debut in the film. “I’ll never forget this,” Costner said, praising his children for their beautiful appearances. He expressed hope that viewers would share Horizon with their loved ones to ensure the film’s lasting impact.

“I made this. It’s not mine anymore. It’s yours,” he remarked, reflecting on the film’s broader significance beyond its opening weekend. With tears in his eyes, Costner described Horizon as a “miracle” in his life, thanking the audience for their time and hoping it was well spent.

This premiere comes amid speculation that Horizon was a factor in his departure from Yellowstone, a series he left last year despite having unfinished seasons. Costner clarified that filming for his movie was scheduled around his Yellowstone commitments, stating, “I fit it into the gaps,” and maintained that Horizon was never meant to compete with the series. He even took a month off from filming his movie to fulfill his obligations on Yellowstone, only to find that there was “no script” when he arrived on set.

Despite the challenges, Costner expressed a willingness to return to Yellowstone, saying, “I’m very open to coming back.” He acknowledged the difficulties he faced due to the media speculation, stating, “I took a beating over these guys not speaking up for me.” However, he remains hopeful that if the writing is right, he would be eager to rejoin the cast.