Yellowstone icon Kevin Costner has been dealt a harsh blow with his latest venture following his departure from the beloved Western series.
In the wake of leaving the Taylor Sheridan creation and amid his split from Christine Baumgartner, the silver screen legend was bankrolling his own ambitious movie project, Horizon.
The epic historical drama was set to unfold over four parts, with the first chapter having premiered at the end of June.
Speculation is rife that his intense involvement in this film odyssey is the reason for his exit as patriarch John Dutton during Yellowstone’s climactic fifth season.
Sadly, the bold move appears not to have paid off as hoped.
After a lacklustre performance in ticket sales, it emerged on Wednesday (June 10) that the follow-up to Horizon has had its release date pushed back.
It was initially slated for an August 16 debut in American theatres.
Yet, with a meagre global box office haul of $25.2 million against a projected budget of $50-100 million, it seems studios are hesitant to bet on Horizon’s sequel winning over audiences after the original’s underwhelming reception.
A representative for Kevin’s Territory Pictures expressed, per Digital Spy: “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 theatre 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.”
The UK release is also expected to be delayed. The first chapter will be available digitally in a few days, on Tuesday, July 16.
Despite Yellowstone being one of the most popular US dramas in recent years, Kevin’s latest epic has not been well received by fans and critics alike.
In addition to disappointing box office returns, the film has been criticised by reviewers who have described it as “meandering” and a “three-hour prologue” for the next three chapters. It currently holds a 48 percent critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Responding to the negative reaction to Horizon: Chapter One, Kevin told Entertainment Weekly: “I’ve lived with movies and what happens to them on their opening weekend.
“If we put so much pressure on that, we’re bound to be disappointed. I’m really happy that Horizon looks like what it’s supposed to look like, and that’s the way it’ll look the rest of its life. And that’s really important to me in this process.”
Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 is in cinemas now and is released digitally on July 16.