Yellowstone star Kevin Costner’s latest project after quitting the hit Western drama has suffered a devastating blow.
Amidst his exit from the Taylor Sheridan-led drama as well as his divorce from Christine Baumgartner, the Hollywood A-lister was self-financing his own big-screen epic, Horizon.
The historical saga was projected to be told across four instalments, the first of which hit cinemas at the end of June.
His lengthy commitment to the cinematic undertaking is speculated to be the main reason behind his depature as John Dutton in the middle of its fifth and final season.
Unfortunately, the risky gamble hasn’t paid off in the way the star was probably hoping.
Following disappointing returns at the box office, it was confirmed on Wednesday (June 10) that the release date for Horizon’s second chapter has been delayed.
It was originally set for an August 16 premiere in US cinemas.
However, with just $25.2 million at the worldwide box office against an estimated budget of $50—100 million, the studios clearly don’t feel confident Horizon will find enough of an audience to make up for the disappointment with the sequel.
A spokesperson for Kevin’s production company Territory Pictures said, 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.”
It’s believed the UK release will also be postponed. The first chapter will be released digitally in just a few days, on Tuesday, July 16.
While Yellowstone remains one of the most popular US dramas in recent years, fans and critics were less impressed with Kevin’s latest plus-sized epic.
In addition to lacklustre box office returns, the film has been panned by reviewers calling it “meandering” and a “three-hour prologue” for the next three chapters. It currently holds a 48 percent critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Reacting to the poor response 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.