Michael Rooker Stands by Kevin Costner’s ‘Horizon’ Despite Box Office Challenges: “Move Past It!”
Michael Rooker is defending Kevin Costner’s Horizon saga following the film’s modest opening weekend box office performance.
Rooker, who portrays Sgt. Major Thomas Riordan in the film, was asked about its ticket sales, which reached only $11 million for the three-hour runtime. The Guardians of the Galaxy star suggested that audiences are not accustomed to longform cinema and may be struggling with Costner’s approach.
“We’re not used to that,” the 69-year-old Rooker told TMZ. “We’re used to 90-minute movies. Come on, give me a break. Let’s appreciate a film that actually tells a story, allowing us to connect with the characters, whether we love or hate them. It’s not all about fast cuts.” When asked if audiences are “TikTok-ified,” Rooker responded, “Of course! They need to get over that. They have to learn what real cinema is. Go see the movie … There are three more to come, so be prepared.”
Rooker also praised Costner as both director and lead actor. “He is brilliant in this,” Rooker said. “He’s an exceptional director who knows how to choose the best talent.”
The first Horizon film had a budget of $100 million, with Costner investing $38 million of his own money. The second film in the series is set to be released in mid-August, with some tickets sold as a bundle with the first installment.
Costner has not commented on the box office numbers since their release, but he previously told Entertainment Weekly that focusing solely on opening weekend figures is misguided. “If we put so much pressure on that, we’re bound to be disappointed,” he stated. “I’m really happy with how Horizon looks, and that’s what matters most.”
Comscore chief box office analyst Paul Dergarabedian noted that Horizon has significant streaming potential and appeals to older demographics who appreciate this type of film. Critics have observed that while Horizon resembles traditional cinema, its pacing aligns more with streaming titles, which some have identified as a key issue. The film currently holds a 43 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
As the second Horizon film is a direct sequel, industry watchers are questioning its potential performance, especially since sequels often underperform compared to their predecessors. Meanwhile, Costner is actively shooting the third film in the saga, which has yet to receive a release date.
Additionally, Costner’s former hit series Yellowstone is filming its final episodes without him. THR’s analysis suggests that Yellowstone fans did not show up for his film, likely due to scheduling conflicts during production. Regarding Costner’s departure from Yellowstone, Rooker remarked, “That’s what we do as actors. I did The Walking Dead and got killed off. Who knows why?”
