WIth the franchise’s future in a state of limbo, Kevin Costner addressesHorizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2’s cancelled release. Costner’s four-part Western epic franchise got off to a rough start withChapter 1’s release in June 2024,where it only grossed $36.1 million against its $50 million production budget and saw a generally mixed reception from critics. While the second installment was planned for an August release,Warner Bros. pulledHorizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2’s release, leaving it unscheduled as of the time of writing, though did bring it to the Venice International Film Festival.
In honor of its Venice premiere, Costner discussedHorizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2and the franchise’s future during a press conference (perVariety). When asked about the decision to cancel the sequel’s wide release, the co-writer/director/producer/star reflected thatit “probably was a reaction” by WB toChapter 1’s box office underperformance:
It didn’t have overwhelming success. I’ve had a lot of movies that way, that have stood the test of time.
Costner would, however, go on to explain there to be a few upsides toChapter 2’s release cancellation, one being that he got to screen the sequel at Venice, which he “would have never” been able to do as the studio wouldn’t have allowed him to do so “if it was already out”. He also explained thatit fit into his original release plan for the movie:
For me, it fell back into my plan, which was I always wanted to come out with movies about five-six months apart. And that was going to allow me to come to Venice. I would have never come to Venice, because they won’t show the film here if it was already out.
What Costner’s New Comments Mean For Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2’s Release
WB Is Evaluating Their Best Option For The Sequel’s Release
Though the decision came as both shocking and understandable for those following the first movie’s reception,Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2’s cancelled release certainly created concerns about Costner’s plans for the rest of the franchise.The fact that the filmmaker indicates the decision came from the studio rather than himself does prove an interesting update, though, consideringCostner himself confirmed he put $38 million of his own moneyinto making the first two parts, which are estimated to cost a combined $100 million. As such, one would think he’d have some say over the movies' release plans.
Why Horizon: An American Saga Failed at the Box Office
Despite Yellowstone being an incredibly popular Western for Kevin Costner, he was unable to duplicate the success for Horizon: An American Saga.
Even still, with Costner saying that it was a “studio decision” to cancel the sequel’s initial release, it seems clear thatWB is evaluating their best options for when to releaseHorizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2. Beyond just production, the studio is the one footing the bill for marketing and putting the movies in theaters, subsequently requiring a better assurance that they will at least make their money back, if not hopefully also make a profit, from them. Despite the movie’s box office struggles,Chapter 1did become a hit on VOD, likely to have given them some confidence in the sequel.
What This All Means For Future Horizon Movies
Costner may be confident about moving forward with his other two movies in the Western saga, but the future is really in a troubled state right now. Theearly reviews ofHorizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2’s Venice premiere have been mixed-to-negative, similar to those ofChapter 1’s first reviews of its Cannes premiere. While audiences who gaveChapter 1a 70% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes may be more wary to trust these reviews, it does spell a difficult road ahead for bothChapter 2and future installments.
If Costner’s vision is as bold for the remaining two movies as the first two, he will likely need another $100 million to shoot bothChapter 3and4.
Even worse is the fact thatHorizon: An American Saga — Chapter 3’s filming is currently stalled, with Costner assuring that he plans to finish it and potentially shootChapter 4back-to-back in Spring 2025, while other reports indicate he is looking for the finances to complete the production. If Costner’s vision is as bold for the remaining two movies as the first two, he will likely need another $100 million to shoot bothChapter 3and4, a big ask when considering howChapter 1fared at the box office.
How Many Horizon Movies Kevin Costner Is Making
Kevin Costner’s highly-anticipated Western epic, Horizon: An American Saga, has multiple films on the way. Here’s Costner’s full plan for the saga.
The biggest thing that could boost the franchise’s future is if WB moves ahead withHorizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2in theaters. ConsideringChapter 1was sandwiched between the more family-friendly fare ofInside Out 2andDespicable Me 4, as well asA Quiet Place: Day One’s success,it would behoove the studio to aim for a less-crowded 2025 release window, with early November being a viable option to only pit it against the Marvel Cinematic Universe’sBladereboot andNow You See Me 3.
Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2
Cast
Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2 continues the exploration of the Old West, spanning from 1859 to 1874. Set against the backdrop of the Civil War, the film delves into the lives of families, friends, and enemies grappling with the nation’s evolving identity.
