With the franchise’s future hanging in the balance, Kevin Costner has spoken about the cancellation of the release for “Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2.” This four-part Western epic got off to a rocky start with the release of Chapter 1 in June 2024, which only managed to earn $36.1 million against its $50 million production cost and received mixed reviews from critics. Although the second installment was initially slated for an August release, Warner Bros. decided to pull “Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2” from the schedule, leaving its release date uncertain at the time of writing. However, the film was showcased at the Venice International Film Festival.
In celebration of its premiere in Venice, Costner addressed the future of “Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2” and the franchise during a press conference, as reported by Variety. When questioned about the studio’s decision to cancel the wide release of the sequel, the multi-talented co-writer, director, producer, and star suggested that it was “probably a reaction” from Warner Bros. to the underwhelming box office performance of Chapter 1:
“It didn’t have overwhelming success. I’ve had a lot of movies that way, that have stood the test of time.”
Despite the setback, Costner pointed out some advantages of the cancellation, such as the opportunity to showcase the sequel in Venice, which he noted wouldn’t have been possible if the film had already been released. He also explained how this aligned with his initial release strategy 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
Although the decision to cancel the release was both surprising and understandable to those following the first film’s reception, the move has certainly raised concerns about Costner’s plans for the remainder of the franchise. The fact that the decision originated from the studio, rather than Costner himself, offers an intriguing development, particularly considering that Costner invested $38 million of his own funds into producing the first two parts, which together are estimated to cost around $100 million. One might expect him to have some influence over the release strategy of the films.
Why Horizon: An American Saga Failed at the Box Office
Nevertheless, Costner’s admission that it was a “studio decision” to halt the sequel’s release suggests that Warner Bros. is carefully considering the best timing for “Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2.” Beyond production, the studio bears the financial responsibility for marketing and distributing the films in theaters, necessitating a stronger assurance that they will at least recoup their investment, if not generate a profit. Despite the box office challenges, Chapter 1 found success on VOD, potentially boosting the studio’s confidence in the sequel.
What This All Means For Future Horizon Movies
Costner Has An Uphill Road Ahead Of Him
While Costner remains optimistic about proceeding with the other two films in the Western saga, the franchise’s future is fraught with uncertainty. The early reviews from the Venice premiere of “Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2” have been mixed to negative, echoing the initial reception of Chapter 1 at Cannes. Although audiences awarded Chapter 1 a 70% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, they may be more hesitant to rely on these reviews, hinting at a challenging path for both Chapter 2 and future installments.
Compounding the issue is the current halt in filming for “Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 3.” Costner has assured that he intends to complete it and potentially film Chapter 4 consecutively in Spring 2025, though reports indicate he is seeking additional funding to finish production. If his vision for the remaining films is as ambitious as the first two, he will likely require another $100 million for both Chapter 3 and 4, a significant ask given Chapter 1’s box office results.
How Many Horizon Movies Kevin Costner Is Making
A key factor that could enhance the franchise’s prospects is if Warner Bros. proceeds with a theatrical release for “Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2.” Given that Chapter 1 was released between family-friendly films like “Inside Out 2” and “Despicable Me 4,” as well as the success of “A Quiet Place: Day One,” it would be prudent for the studio to target a less competitive release window in 2025, with early November being a viable option, placing it against the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s “Blade” reboot and “Now You See Me 3.”
Source: Variety
Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2
- Drama
- Western
Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2 is a western drama film directed by Kevin Costner. Broken into two parts, Horizon explores the periods before and after the American Civil War, with the reconstruction and new era for Western Expansion.
