While the modern-day Wild West box office wasn’t won by directorKevin Costner,the filmmaker’s Western gets yet another chance at finally finding an audience when it starts streaming Friday, August 23 (perDeadline), exclusively onMax.But will it be able to capture the audience it so epically failed to attract into movie theaters? For those who might not be aware, Costner’sHorizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1is to the 2024 summer movie season what Ezra Miller’sThe Flashwas to the good ole summertime in 2023.
The first chapter ofHorizonhit theaters back on June 28 with lofty expectations not only from Costner but New Line Cinema, too: Before the Western even drew its revolvers for its initial gunfight in cinemas, the studio already made plans to release the film’s finished sequel,Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2,theatrically on August 16. Talk about putting the cart before the wagon! However, after posting its disappointing financial numbers,Chapter 2was quickly yanked from being released this summer altogether, and now its premiere will take place on Saturday, September 7, at the 81st Venice Film Festival.
Horizon centers around fictional characters and takes place in pre- and post-Civil War America, and details the exploration of the American West. Depicting a twelve-year span, the movies feature an ensemble cast portraying various characters and their experiences pioneering into new territory from their homes.
Horizon: An American Saga— Chapter 1died a quick death in cinemas as Costner’s drama set in the Old West only managed to make a worldwide total of $34.3 million (perBox Office Mojo) during the entirety of its theatrical release. While critics lambasted the Western flick, which registers 49% on the Tomatometer, fans were a bit more forgiving.Horizonholds an audience score of 70% on Rotten Tomatoes against 2,500+ verified ratings, and the film’s “B-” CinemaScore is even better. So, perhaps Costner’s passion project can find some semblance of viewership and success when it starts streaming on Max.
Kevin Costner Says of His Passion Project: ‘Calling It That Actually Minimizes It’
Kevin Costner’sHorizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1disappeared from movie theaters faster than a vampire vanishes in the rays of the balmy sunlight. And although the actor and filmmaker has beendeveloping his idea of the Old West since 1988,Costner takes exception to people referring toHorizonas his passion project. In a recent interview, the brains behind the box office bomb explained whyHorizonis a “good idea” and not a passion. Costner explained by saying (perAARP):
“Calling it that actually minimizes it.I’ve been passionate about a lot of things that I’ve done.This is a good idea about America.People came west. It’s part of our legacy.I just believed in it so much that I put my money into it, but I’ve had that belief about everything in my life.”
Before the Western hit theaters,Costner revealed he wantedHorizonto succeed financially,and that his “ego would like that.” Unfortunately, the film turned into a trainwreck, which honestly derailed as soon as it left the station. But despite its financial failure, Costner is satisfied with the end result. Costner toldEntertainment Weekly:
“Would I love that it would be highly, highly successful?Of course,I’d like that. My ego would like that;everyone would like that.But I am happiest that the movie that you and I are talking about looks the way I want it to look.”
Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1 Review | Kevin Costner’s Epic Western Disappoints
White settlers clash with Indigenous natives after being lured out west by promises of a better life.
It’s hard to believe that someone wouldn’t refer to an idea that he’s thought about and worked on for almost 40 years as a passion project. But perhaps there’s an honest truth to what Costner is saying aboutHorizononly being an idea. After all, had the film truly been Costner’s passion, perhaps the on-screen product would have been significantly better.
