Summary
Kevin Costner still has hope for the future of theHorizon: An American Sagafranchise, amid serious box office struggles. The first of a four-part movie series,Chapter 1was released on June 28. It failed to earn back its budget at the box office, having earned just $34.3 million on a $50 million budget. To make matters worse, Costner expectedChapter 2to be released on August 16, butChapter 1’s financial challenges led to the distributor declining to send it to theaters. While it appears that theHorizonsequel might not have a theatrical release, the other movies in the franchise are also in danger.
Despite all the challenges that the franchise is facing, Costner still believes that he can conclude the story as planned. In an interview withTODAY, Costner explained that he has a strong devotion to theHorizonmovies and hopes to complete production even afterChapter 1failed.He has already begun production onChapter 3and plans to return to complete the franchise in the spring of 2025. Check out his full quote below:
I love the journey of this thing. It’s been the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I love this movie. I love the second one — and the third one’s even harder than the first two, and the fourth one completes the story. I made a promise to myself, I’m trying desperately to keep it, and to bring it to people, these kind of giant stories, and I hope that people fall in love with these characters. A lot of times, the things that you want to make don’t immediately resonate with anyone else. It’s only after you’re done that people begin to understand what it was, and almost, they take ownership themselves, of ‘I love this movie. I love these characters. I didn’t know where this story was going. It’s nice in life to be surprised. The plan is, I’ve already shot a little bit of the third. And to perhaps shoot them back to back next spring.
Will Horizon Ever Return To Theaters?
Will The Franchise Be Completed At All?
Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1’s failurewas immense, and its struggles were not only financial, ascritics were also mixed on Costner’s latest work. With a 49% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, it earned a Rotten designation. Audiences were more favorable, though, as the audience’s Popcornmeter left it with a 70% score. The mixed response and disappointing financial results strippedChapter 2of its theatrical release, which is an extremely dangerous sign for a $50 million movie.Chapter 3andChapter 4will likely need additional financing to ensure that they are developed at all.
8 Reasons Reviews For Kevin Costner’s New Western Are So Bad
Kevin Costner’s passion project Horizon: An American Saga is supposed to be released in four parts, but the first entry hasn’t been well-received.
It could, of course, still achieve success, asChapter 1is already streaming on Max. Streaming was always likely to be part of the plan for financial success, though the box office was still an important piece of the results. After failing to earn its budget, let alone the $125 million needed for profitability after theaters took their cut, it is unlikely that the franchise will be welcomed back for another theatrical release.Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2will still premiere at the Venice Film Festival, and the reaction by critics could be critical in negotiating for a widespread release.
Production onHorizon: An American Saga — Chapter 3reportedly recently stalled due to Costner’s need to look for further funding.
Fortunately, Costner’s dedication to the franchise could provide another viable path. He reportedly invested nearly $40 million of his own money into theHorizonmovies. Even if it ends up as a financial failure, Costner will likely feel the brunt of the hit, and he has already expressed a willingness to continue developing the movies. Investors may offer additional support, if it provides a more favorable deal.Horizon: An American Sagacan still be completed, though it is unlikely that it will see theaters afterChapter 1’s disastrous performance.
Source:TODAY
Horizon: An American Saga
“Horizon: An American Saga” is a series of epic Western films directed, produced, and co-written by Kevin Costner. The saga spans pre- and post-Civil War America, detailing the exploration and settlement of the American West over 15 years, and follows multiple storylines of fictional characters as they navigate the challenges and opportunities of this tumultuous period.
