“Kevin Costner’s Bold Move with ‘Horizon’ Following Divorce and ‘Yellowstone’ Departure”

As the credits rolled for Kevin Costner’s latest film, Horizon: An American Saga, at the Cannes Film Festival on May 19, the audience erupted into a standing ovation that lasted seven minutes. Overwhelmed with emotion, Costner stood alongside his co-stars and five of his seven children, visibly moved as he fought back tears. “I’ll never forget this,” he told the crowd. “Neither will my children.” A source noted that having his kids there meant the world to him.

Costner has invested not only his heart and soul but also about $38 million of his own funds into this ambitious four-part Western, which he wrote, directed, and stars in alongside Sienna Miller and Sam Worthington. The first installment is set to release on June 28, followed by the second on August 16. “This is his passion project,” a source remarked, with another adding, “He believes deeply in the story’s power.”

The film’s launch comes at a crucial juncture for the 69-year-old Oscar winner. Last summer, he faced a highly publicized divorce from his wife of 18 years, Christine Baumgartner. This split coincided with his unexpected departure from the hit series Yellowstone, fueled by reports of a rift with co-creator Taylor Sheridan. Now, with Horizon finally premiering and his heart beginning to heal—having been seen getting cozy with folk singer Jewel in late 2023—there are also discussions about his potential return to Yellowstone for its final season’s second half. According to a source, Costner is experiencing a sort of rebirth: “He’s incredibly focused. This marks a new chapter for him.”

Costner was reportedly blindsided when Baumgartner, 50, filed for divorce. They share three children: Cayden, 17; Hayes, 15; and Grace, 13, and he has three older children from previous relationships. Their four-month court battle was tumultuous, involving disputes over child support and property division before they settled in September 2023. “This is a terrible situation,” Costner shared publicly after a court hearing in late August. “It feels awful.”

A source revealed that Baumgartner made the final call to end their marriage. “She didn’t give Kevin much chance to resolve things,” the source explained. “It was painful, but he has moved on.” Shortly after the split, Baumgartner began dating their former friend, financier Josh Connor, 49. “Kevin was hurt by how quickly Christine moved on, but he’s found a way to cope,” the first source said, noting that he feels a sense of relief now that their legal issues are resolved. While Costner still harbors some regrets about their marriage ending, he wishes things could have turned out differently. Communication between them is primarily about the kids, with a source saying, “Kevin would like to maintain a relationship with Christine, but she only engages when it concerns the younger children.”

In terms of romance, Costner sparked dating rumors with Jewel in December when they were spotted together at a charity event for her Inspiring Children Foundation in the British Virgin Islands. When asked about their relationship in April, the singer, 50, replied, “He’s a great person.” A third source mentioned that Costner is currently focused on his career rather than dating. “He prefers to keep things casual and is looking to connect with someone outside the Hollywood scene when time allows,” they added.

For now, he’s prioritizing his work and family. “Kevin makes it a point to spend quality time with his kids and often includes them in his projects,” a source shared. Notably, his son Hayes makes his acting debut in Horizon. “He’s really impressive,” the proud father exclaimed at CinemaCon in April. “He adds a significant impact to the film.”