Kevin Costner Reveals Personal Investment in New Western Film Horizon
Kevin Costner Invests $38 Million of His Own Money Into Horizon: An American Saga
Kevin Costner, the writer, director, producer, and star of Horizon: An American Saga, has revealed the extent of his personal financial commitment to his ambitious new Western film. Set around the time of the American Civil War, Horizon explores the westward expansion of settlers and is intended to be the first installment in a four-part saga.
While initial reports suggested that Costner had invested around $20 million into the project, the actor recently clarified that the actual amount is nearly double. Speaking about his passion project, Costner stated:
“I know they say I’ve got $20 million of my own money in this movie. It’s not true. I’ve got now about $38 million in the film. That’s the truth. That’s the real number.”
The remainder of the film’s estimated $100 million budget was funded by two undisclosed outside investors.
Can Horizon Recoup Its Budget?
The release of Horizon: An American Saga stands as one of the biggest box office risks of the year—not just for Costner, but also for Warner Bros., which holds the North American distribution rights. The studio is taking an unusual gamble by releasing the sequel, Chapter 2, less than two months after the first installment hits theaters. Regardless of how the first film performs, Chapter 2 is already locked in for release, and Costner remains committed to completing Chapters 3 and 4.
Despite Costner’s optimism, several challenges loom. Westerns have struggled at the box office in recent years, with few exceptions. While Django Unchained was a major hit in 2012, other entries like The Lone Ranger, The Magnificent Seven, Hostiles, and even The Hateful Eight failed to make a lasting financial impact. A Western with a $100 million budget raises the stakes even higher, especially since the film may need to earn around $200 million just to break even—before marketing costs are considered.
While Horizon did receive a 10-minute standing ovation at its Cannes premiere, early critical reviews have been mixed. Still, if the film resonates with general audiences, critical reception may prove less important in the long run.
For now, the success of Horizon: An American Saga remains uncertain—but if nothing else, Kevin Costner’s belief in the project is beyond doubt.
