In a remarkable display of global appeal, Kevin Costner’s highly anticipated two-part Western epic, “Horizon: An American Saga,” has already secured distribution deals across numerous international territories, even before its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. Daniel Baur’s K5 International, handling the international sales, has reported a flurry of deals, with only a few territories remaining available.
The films, collectively budgeted at over $200 million, have captured the attention of distributors worldwide, with major players such as Tobis Film (German-speaking territories), Metropolitan Filmexport (France), Stan Entertainment (Australia), Unicorn (Eastern Europe), SF Studios/AB Svensk (Scandinavia), and Echo Lake Distribution (Airlines) among those securing the rights.
Warner Bros./New Line will spearhead the wide releases in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands, with “Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1” hitting theaters on June 28, followed by “Chapter 2” on August 16.
Daniel Baur, who relaunched K5 International last year with a focus on high-budgeted genre films and series, expressed his admiration for the project, stating, “Working on Kevin Costner’s project ‘Horizon’ has been a dream come true. Since ‘Dances With Wolves,’ I have been an admirer of Kevin’s work. The ‘Horizon’ saga tells the story of men and women who forged their way West seeking better lives for themselves and their families.”
The films, directed by Costner and co-written with Jon Baird, boast an impressive ensemble cast, including Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Jena Malone, Abbey Lee, Michael Rooker, Danny Huston, Luke Wilson, Isabelle Fuhrman, Jeff Fahey, Will Patton, Tatanka Means, Owen Crow Shoe, Ella Hunt, and Jamie Campbell Bower.
Producer Howard Kaplan of Territory Pictures, who approached K5 International with the project, expressed his confidence in the partnership, stating, “I have known Daniel Baur for years. When I heard he was relaunching K5 International, I knew he and K5 were the right partner for this project. There are currently very few territories available. The results speak to the great work by K5 International and the outstanding reception for the ‘Horizon’ saga.”
While traditional Hollywood Westerns have often faced challenges in international markets, with notable exceptions like Costner’s own “Dances With Wolves,” the industry is closely monitoring the performance of “Horizon.” With fewer studio releases this summer due to the ongoing writers’ strike, international distributors are eagerly anticipating the arrival of this ambitious, large-scale project.
As “Horizon: An American Saga” prepares for its world premiere at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival on Sunday, the widespread international interest and distribution deals secured thus far suggest that Costner’s sweeping Western saga has the potential to resonate with global audiences, captivating them with its epic storytelling and cinematic vision.