In June 2024, Kevin Costner is releasing what he has called his passion project, a Western film series called Horizon: An American Saga, and aside from being the first movie Costner has directed since 2003, it is also an opportunity for the iconic actor to make up for his last leading role in the disappointing 2020 film, Let Him Go. Horizon: An American Saga- Chapter 1 is the first of several Horizon movies to come. The films are said to expand over the course of 15 years, exploring pre- and post-Civil War America, and specifically, the settlement of the American West.
It is no secret that Kevin Costner has had a long and fruitful career. Since he began acting in the 1980s, Kevin Costner’s movies have had a wide range of success, both in acting and directing. Most notably, Costner directed and starred in 1990’s Dance with Wolves, which earned various accolades and acclaim from critics and audiences alike. More recently, Costner has been recognized for his work on the neo-Western TV show, Yellowstone. However, Costner’s career has not been all highs. Over the years, he has appeared in some duds as well, making Horizon even more important for him.
Horizon: An American Saga Is Kevin Costner’s First Leading Movie Role Since 2020
Costner starred in Let Him Go in 2020
One detail that makes the success of Horizon: An American Saga important is the fact that this is the first movie Kevin Costner is starring in since 2020. Four years ago, Costner starred as George Blackledge in the neo-Western thriller, Let Him Go. The movie follows a retired sheriff and his wife in the 1960s who leave their Montana ranch to save their grandson from a nefarious group living off the grid in the Dakotas.
Although Let Him Go was well-received, earning a 76% on Rotten Tomatoes, its disappointing box office means Horizon has some catching up to do.
On a budget of $21 million, Let Him Go only made $10 million at the box office. Even with its good reviews, this is a disappointing scenario for the Costner movie. And since this is the last film Costner starred in, the actor and director must to make up for lost time. With Horizon: An American Saga, Costner needs to prove that he still has what it takes to make a great movie and offer an outstanding performance. In this way, his new film franchise has high expectations that it must meet in order for it to be worth it.
Horizon: An American Saga Will Show How Much Yellowstone Changed Kevin Costner’s Career
Yellowstone bolstered Costner’s career
In many ways, Kevin Costner’s attachment to Yellowstone will be helpful when it comes to Horizon: An American Saga. Although Costner had a long and impressive career before Yellowstone, the Taylor Sheridan show really did a lot in boosting his career in his older years. After five seasons of Yellowstone, Horizon: An American Saga has a better chance of succeeding. And even if it doesn’t, Costner’sYellowstone clout means that the actor likely won’t be horribly affected by a bad outcome. Therefore, Costner is free to make whatever he wants, regardless of the consequences.