Kevin Costner Shares Thoughts on ‘Horizon’ Streaming Success Before Sequel Launch
Kevin Costner has never hesitated to make the kinds of films he’s passionate about, and his love for Westerns led him to his most ambitious project yet — Horizon: An American Saga. Although he has denied calling it a passion project outright, the scope and scale of Horizon clearly reflect his dedication. Following the massive success of classics like Dances with Wolves and Open Range, this latest saga pushes the boundaries even further with its planned four-part epic. Despite the first film’s disappointing box office performance, Costner has stood firm in his belief in the project, recently calling it one of the “biggest movies of the year.”
This confidence isn’t surprising, given Costner’s longstanding commitment to this sprawling narrative about America’s westward expansion. However, bringing Horizon to life has been anything but smooth. The production was plagued by financial challenges, delays, and the fallout from Costner’s departure from Yellowstone. Reports also claim Costner personally invested up to $100 million to keep the project afloat.
Early on, the project struggled to find a studio willing to back what many saw as an “old-school Western epic,” especially in an era when audiences are selective about what they watch in theaters. The gamble didn’t pay off at the box office last summer, but Horizon found a second life on streaming platforms — a lifeline Costner is now banking on ahead of the sequel’s release. At the North American premiere of Horizon: Chapter 2, Costner noted, “The movie came out six months ago, and people are still discovering it with very little promotion. It’s standing alongside some of the biggest movies of the year in streaming numbers. That tells me audiences want stories that touch their hearts and minds.”
Can ‘Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2’ Turn the Box Office Around?
The second installment is generating as much debate as the first. Although its European premiere last September was met with mostly negative reviews, recent reactions have been more optimistic. Ultimately, critics aren’t the ones filling theaters; box office success will depend on whether streaming viewers of the first film are motivated enough to see the sequel on the big screen.
Costner’s declaration of Horizon as a streaming heavyweight might not convince skeptics, but it underscores his unwavering passion for the series. While some argue streaming spells doom for theaters, Horizon’s resurgence hints at a new dynamic where platforms like Max and Netflix could help revive interest in cinema.
With rumors swirling about future Horizon chapters possibly becoming Netflix exclusives, much rests on Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2 to prove that there’s still a vibrant audience for Western tales. The Old West may have its doubters, but for Costner, the journey is far from over.
