Kevin Costner’s new film “Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1” has faced challenges since its theater release in June. The western epic, directed by and starring Costner, has earned just $34.2 million worldwide on a reported budget of $100 million. In response, the film’s studios have changed their release strategy.
“Horizon” tells the story of American families during the Civil War period from 1861 to 1865. Costner aimed to explore different perspectives on the west’s expansion and the conflict’s impact on national identity. Despite its ambitious vision and cast including Sienna Miller and Sam Worthington, the film failed to find large audiences in theaters.
As a result, New Line Cinema and Territory Pictures postponed the August theatrical debut of planned sequel “Chapter 2.” They will instead focus on releasing “Chapter 1” through video-on-demand services and streaming. A Territory Pictures statement expressed gratitude for fan interest but said more exposure is needed.
Costner reportedly invested $38-50 million of his own money in the “Horizon” project and deferred his acting fees. He also mortgaged his Santa Barbara home to fund the four-part saga, which required stepping back from hit TV show “Yellowstone” where he earned $1.3 million per episode.
With the film’s commercial performance, the continuation of Costner’s sweeping vision for a western series is now uncertain. The August streaming launch on HBO Max will be crucial to determine if “Horizon” finds an audience and whether the story can continue past the first chapter.
Featuring casts including Jena Malone, Michael Rooker and Luke Wilson, “Horizon” was written by Jon Baird and Costner based on a story idea involving themes of America’s diverse westward expansion during an era of national conflict. All aspects of the production were a significant personal investment showing Costner’s strong commitment to the project.
