Kevin Costner, the director, is back behind the camera for the first time since 2003’s “Open Range”. Costner won an Oscar for directing 1990’s “Dances With Wolves,” which was also bestowed Best Picture honors.
In October, Warner Bros unveiled a teaser for “Horizon: An American Saga” and announced that they would be releasing two films in theaters in June 2024 and August 2024, respectively.
I’ve been wondering how Warners, given the current climate in the industry, would greenlight such a risky project — it turns out that Costner actually spent $20 million of his own money to fund the film.
Costner's expenses on the project came to light in court documents after his ex-wife filed for divorce in May after 18 years of marriage. In court documents obtained by Fox News, his wife’s legal team explained how Costner expected to receive a "waterfall" of funds from "Horizon" after his initial investments.
Kevin's total compensation for acting, producing, and directing in Horizon 1 is approximately $12,000,000, and for Horizon 2 is approximately $12,000,000, most of which he voluntarily deferred
In addition, Costner mortgaged 10 acres of a $50 million, oceanfront Santa Barbara property to ensure proper funding for the project, Deadline originally reported.
Back in May, Costner had already completed the first part of his passion project Western. The second movie started production soon afterwards in Utah. Costner will star, direct, produce and finance ‘Horizon’. Warner Bros and New Line will distribute these films.
In a June 2022 interview, Costner stated he planned to make four movies out of this story, and was looking to cast over 170 speaking roles. All four films were planned to be shot back to back. Today’s announcement only mentions two films.
Costner is done with the show “Yellowstone”, he quit that series a few months ago. ‘Horizon’ has obsessed him for decades and is now finally headed to the big screen. He’s banking on his newfound “Yellowstone” popularity to bring audiences into theaters for his epic. Will it work?
‘Horizon’ is said to have the sweep of his 1990 Best Picture winner “Dances With Wolves.” It stars Costner, Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Will Patton, Luke Wilson, Thomas Haden Church, Jena Malone and Giovanni Ribisi.
The movies are rated R and they are said to be lengthy. Originally, “Horizon” was set for TV. The whole thing is a big bet and has a story that spans the pre-and post-Civil War expansion and settlement of the American west:
In the great tradition of classic Westerns, the second film will continue to explore the lure of the old West and will take audiences on a treacherous journey across a country at war with itself, experienced through the lens of families, friends and foes all attempting to discover what it truly means to be the United States of America.
Costner’s had a tumultuous career as filmmaker, he triumphed with “Dances With Wolves,” got great reviews for “Open Range,” but, then again, there was 1997’s ill-received “The Postman.” He’s back in familiar territory with ‘Horizon’. This is as ambitious a big studio project as I’ve seen in quite a while.
Netflix and Skydance Animation have also called it quits. The two sides announced Monday that they're ending the animated film deal struck back in 2023, framing it as a mutual decision.