In a daring and groundbreaking move, Warner Bros. has set the stage for Kevin Costner’s Western epic, ‘Horizon: An American Saga,’ with Chapter 1 slated to hit theaters on June 28. Just two months later, on August 16, Chapter 2 will follow suit. This back-to-back release strategy is virtually unprecedented in the world of major Hollywood titles, reminiscent of Clint Eastwood’s bold move with ‘Flags of Our Fathers’ and ‘Letters From Iwo Jima’ in 2006.
What makes this decision even more intriguing is the departure of Costner from Paramount’s ‘Yellowstone’ amid some serious hostilities between him, the studio, and showrunner Taylor Sheridan. ‘Yellowstone’ has been a massive TV ratings success, making Costner’s comparison to ‘Flags of Our Fathers’ somewhat unexpected.
However, industry insiders believe that this unique rollout of the ‘Horizon’ films will transform them into a significant cinematic event, cutting through the clutter and generating excitement among audiences, building on the summer’s Barbenheimer phenomenon.
The project’s ambition is nothing short of remarkable and brings to mind Costner’s 1990 Western epic, ‘Dances With Wolves,’ which was initially doubted but went on to win seven Oscars, including Best Picture. For ‘Horizon,’ Costner is going all-in, having personally invested at least $20 million and deferred his fees, even leveraging his Santa Barbara home to finance the saga.
‘Horizon,’ co-written by Costner and Jon Baird, has a rich history, dating back to 1988. It spans the four years of the Civil War and delves into the allure of the Old West, exploring how it was both won and lost through the blood, sweat, and tears of many. With over 170 speaking roles and a star-studded cast including Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, and Michael Rooker, the total runtime of this saga is expected to be around 11 hours.
Despite the lengthy development timeline, Costner has revealed only fragments of the plot in past interviews, describing ‘Horizon’ as “faster-paced with a younger cast” and a story about how towns emerged in the Wild West. It debunks myths and portrays women striving in an impossibly tough world.
The ‘Horizon’ project is undoubtedly a testament to Costner’s dedication and his unyielding commitment to bringing this epic tale to the silver screen.
