Kevin Costner’s Surprising New Path After Yellowstone Departure and Horizon Failure
Kevin Costner is making an unexpected career pivot after his acrimonious exit from the hit TV series Yellowstone following five seasons, and the disappointing box office performance of his recent film, Horizon. The two-time Oscar winner, now 70, has signed on with Amazon MGM Studios to star alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in their upcoming dramedy, Honeymoon with Harry.
The movie follows a man (Gyllenhaal) who, just days before his wedding, tragically loses his fiancée. In the wake of her death, he decides to go on the planned honeymoon trip with his soon-to-be father-in-law (Costner). Directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, Honeymoon with Harry is based on Bart Baker’s 2016 book of the same name. This will be Costner’s first project since the underwhelming release of Horizon.
Despite Horizon’s rocky opening weekend on June 28, 2024, Costner expressed satisfaction with the final product. “I’m really happy that Horizon looks like what it’s supposed to look like on the big screen,” he told reporters. “That’s what matters most to me. Of course, I’d love for it to be hugely successful—my ego would want that—but I’m proud that the movie turned out the way I envisioned.”
In June, the Yellowstone alum made it clear he has no plans to slow down. “Retirement isn’t something I even think about,” he said. “I just move on to whatever sparks my imagination. It’s not a boss that determines what I do; it’s my own creative drive.”
Reflecting on his career, Costner shared, “I’ve been lucky in life. I like to think I earned it, but everyone’s path is different.” Asked about a “bucket list” of future ambitions, he said, “I don’t really think of it that way. My eyes and enthusiasm are wide open—I’m excited about what’s next.”
The star emphasized that his focus isn’t just on his own fulfillment but on making a difference to others as well. “Life is about what satisfies you and how you impact those around you,” he explained. “It’s a rush to chase all those dreams.”
When asked again about retirement, Costner replied, “I feel like some of the greatest surprises are still ahead of me. I’m spending a lot of time writing now, and there are projects I want to pursue.”
He added, “My life is much more than movies—I just pop in and out of them. In between, I’m living my other life.”
Costner’s career began with a role in the 1981 film Sizzle Beach, U.S.A. (also known as Malibu Hot Summer). He went on to star in Fandango (1985) and The Untouchables (1987), the latter alongside Robert De Niro, Andy Garcia, and Sean Connery, which earned four Oscar nominations.
In 1990, Costner both starred in and directed the Western epic Dances with Wolves, which won him Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Director the following year.
Other notable films include Field of Dreams (1989), Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991), The Bodyguard (1992), Wyatt Earp (1994), Open Range (2003), and Man of Steel (2013). While primarily a film actor, Costner has also found success on TV, winning an Emmy for his role in the 2012 miniseries Hatfields & McCoys.
Most recently, he became known for his portrayal of rancher John Dutton in Taylor Sheridan’s neo-Western hit series Yellowstone.
In 2024, Costner wrote, directed, and starred in Horizon: An American Saga, a Western epic planned as a trilogy. The second installment premiered earlier this year at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and was shown at the Venice Film Festival last September. However, due to disappointing box office numbers, the release date for the sequel has been postponed indefinitely.
