Kevin Costner wanted to tell a huge story with his new Western film “Horizon.” But so far, it hasn’t been smooth sailing. The movie came out in theaters in June, but it didn’t do that well its first couple weeks. It only made $33 million, and Costner spent around $50 million to make it!
But don’t count “Horizon” out yet. Just a few weeks after theaters, you could rent or buy it online. Lots of people did that, and it became one of the most popular choices. More people watched it at home than recent big movies like the new “Planet of the Apes” or “Garfield.”
Because of the online interest, the studio behind “Horizon” delayed the next film in the series. It was set to come in August, but they pushed it back. They want fans to have more time to find the first one online before the next part comes.
Costner thinks the bad theater business doesn’t mean people don’t like “Horizon.” The 69-year-old directed and starred in it. He told one magazine it’s not just a “passion project,” but a “good idea about America.” He put a lot of his own cash into making it, so losing money matters. But Costner says box office numbers aren’t everything – good films can still find new fans years later through streaming or word-of-mouth.
Analysts who follow Hollywood say streaming success is nice, but it may not fix “Horizon’s” money troubles. With a reported $100 million budget for the first two films and lots spent on ads, it’s a lot of money to make back. Costner personally invested around $40 million, so there’s high expectations.
The future of “Horizon” and its planned sequels is still up in the air. But it’s clear fans are interested in Costner’s vision, even if theaters didn’t work out. Only time will tell if his big Western bet pays off in the long run.
Discussion about this post