Kevin Costner’s Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2 has been pulled from movie theaters – despite the actor pouring $38million of his own money into the flop $100million project.
Horizon Chapter 1 was released in the United States on June 28, 2024, while Chapter 2 was due for theatrical release on August 16, 2024 – but the first instalment has been slammed by critics and failed to ignite at the box office – after Costner’s high-profile Yellowstone exit.
Now – Costner’s Territory Pictures and distribution partner New Line Cinema have decided to release Chapter 1 on Premium VOD on July 16 alongside theatrical screenings – while Chapter 2’s release has been indefinitely delayed.
A New Line spokesman told THR: ‘Territory Pictures and New Line Cinema have decided not to release Horizon: Chapter 2 on August 16 in order to give audiences a greater opportunity to discover the first installment of Horizon over the coming weeks, including on PVOD and MAX.
‘We thank our exhibition partners for their continued support as moviegoers across the US discover the film in its theatrical run.’
Territory Pictures added in a separate statement: ‘The audience response to Horizon, and enthusiasm for seeing our story continue in Horizon 2, has been incredibly gratifying. Kevin made this film for people who love movies and who wanted to go on a journey.
‘The support that we have received from film fans, and the theater owners, as they experience the first chapter of this saga only serves to reinforce our belief in them and the films that we have made, and we thank them for coming on board for the ride.
‘We welcome the opportunity for that window to be expanded as we know it will only serve to enhance the experience of seeing Horizon 2.’
Costner previously told Empire he has taken a gamble by releasing the saga in cinemas.
He said: ‘I had somebody who said, ‘Look, please don’t do this, Kevin, let’s do this.’
‘But I’m glad about what I’m doing. I believe in the big screen. I believe in that experience. I also believe in what will come to your television. You know, I’m not one of those guys that has a director’s cut. The f****** movie I make is the director’s cut.’
The Dances with Wolves star – who is worth an estimated $250million – said: ‘I’m not a fool, but I’m not afraid.
‘I will own this movie the rest of my life. So will my family. And movies are a lot more than their opening weekend. They have value throughout their life, and I will own this movie throughout my life.
‘And people will find it. And when they do, whether it’s opening weekend or not, they’re going to find a quality. They’re going to find a story that they’re going to want to revisit or share with someone. And that’s the power of a movie to me.’
‘My hope is that I get this money back, but you know what, I’m not going to fall apart if it (doesn’t happen).
‘I’ll lose some things that I had valued, but they’re just things I’ve kept. I should add, I don’t want to have to ever do this again. But I don’t live my life in fear.’
Chapter 3 of the film saga started shooting in May 2024. Chapter 4 is in development.
Horizon earned a 10-minute standing ovation from the audience following its premiere screening at the 77th Cannes Film Festival last month.
It has a star-studded ensemble cast in addition to Costner with Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Jena Malone, Giovanni Ribisi, Ella Hunt, Danny Huston and Luke Wilson also sharing the screen.
However, the film has received some scathing reviews and a very low score on Rotten Tomatoes, with just a 38 per cent score on the Tomatometer – the rating system used on the film critique website.
Costner financed the film himself, admitting to putting $38 million of his own funds into the project after spending decades trying to find a studio to make the film.
He even took out a loan against his Santa Barbara home after trying unsuccessfully to make it for more than 30 years.
Costner previously revealed in June 2022 that he planned on making four Horizon films in all, shot back-to-back.
It’s the fourth time Costner has directed a film in his long career, which also includes following Dances With Wolves (1990), The Postman (1990) and Open Range (2003).
Costner has achieved massive success with his work, including his directorial debut, Dances with Wolves (1990), which won an astounding seven Academy Awards from 12 nominations including Best Picture and Best Director.