“Surprising Hollywood Star Set to Headline ‘Epic and Bloody’ Surfing Horror Film”
Hollywood Icon Kevin Costner Ventures into Horror with New Surfing Thriller
Kevin Costner, the celebrated star of Waterworld, is making a bold leap into the horror genre as he co-writes and stars in the upcoming surfing thriller Headhunters.
At 69, Costner will return to the ocean in a lead role that might surprise fans familiar with his extensive filmography, which includes classics like Field of Dreams, Dances with Wolves, and The Bodyguard, as well as the popular series Yellowstone.
In Headhunters, Costner teams up with co-writer Steven Holleran, who will also direct the film. The cast includes Daniel Zovatto, known for his roles in It Follows and The Pope’s Exorcist. The film is described as “epic and bloody,” combining the vibrant energy of surf culture with intense horror elements.
Costner plays Lazer, a washed-up American ex-pat living in Bali with a shadowy past. Seeking the ultimate wave, he gathers a group of surfers, led by local photographer Bima, for an adventure to an uncharted island. However, they soon discover that the island is home to an ancient tribe of headhunters determined to protect their territory.
The storyline promises a gripping survival tale set in a tropical paradise that reveals itself to be a nightmarish hell. Currently in pre-production, Headhunters does not yet have an official release date.
Scott Steindorff, from Stone Village Films, expressed enthusiasm for the project, calling the script one of the best he’s encountered in his career. He praised Costner for his depth and charisma, highlighting the significance of their collaboration.
While Costner is typically associated with westerns and historical dramas, he has dabbled in horror before, starring in the 2009 film The New Daughter, where he played a novelist confronting mysterious events at a notorious house.
Headhunters comes on the heels of Costner’s recent premiere of Horizon: An American Saga – Part 1 at the Cannes Film Festival. This ambitious project, which he spent years developing, has not performed well at the box office, grossing just $23.3 million worldwide since its release on June 28.
Despite the challenges, Costner remains optimistic about the future of the Horizon films, stating, “I don’t know how I’m gonna make [Part 3] right now, but I’m gonna make it.” He noted that the first three films cost nearly $98 million, with a fourth potentially exceeding the $100 million mark.
