Sam Worthington Doubts Completion of Kevin Costner’s Western Epic ‘Horizon: An American Saga’
Sam Worthington Suggests Kevin Costner’s ‘Horizon: An American Saga’ May Never Be Completed
Actor Sam Worthington has expressed doubt over the future of Horizon: An American Saga, Kevin Costner’s ambitious four-part Western series. Despite being a passion project decades in the making, the saga has faced significant setbacks that may prevent it from reaching completion.
The first installment premiered in theaters on June 28, 2024, introducing audiences to a range of characters living in the American West, all tied to an idyllic town called Horizon. With a runtime of three hours, the film marked the beginning of Costner’s expansive vision — one he personally financed in part, even stepping away from his hit series Yellowstone to bring it to life.
However, Chapter 1 struggled at the box office, earning only $38 million globally against a $50 million budget. Critical reception was equally lukewarm, with a 51% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Plans to release Chapter 2 in theaters just weeks later were put on hold indefinitely.
There was a glimmer of hope when Chapter 1 debuted on streaming platforms like Netflix and HBO Max, where it unexpectedly found an audience. Netflix even showed interest in supporting the remainder of the saga, but Costner reportedly resisted, staying committed to a theatrical release strategy.
The situation worsened after Chapter 2 premiered at the 2024 Venice Film Festival to largely negative reviews. As of now, it has not secured a distributor or a new release date.
Speaking on the uncertain future of the franchise, Worthington said:
“It all comes down to whether the audience connects. The passion is always there, but sometimes it’s just about whether it’s the right time for people to embrace it.”
Beyond audience reception and financial concerns, the project has been marred by legal troubles. Stunt performer Devyn LaBella filed a lawsuit alleging she was coerced into performing an unscripted rape scene during Chapter 2‘s production. Additionally, Costner faces a legal dispute over a co-financing agreement with New Line Cinema and City National Bank. A separate lawsuit over unpaid costume fees has since been resolved.
With mounting challenges and no clear path forward, the remaining chapters of Horizon: An American Saga remain in limbo — and according to Worthington, may never be completed.
