Kevin Costner Dream Western Epic Horizon Is In Trouble
Kevin Costner’s passion project might be in trouble, as one service is tracking a disappointing $12 million opening for the ambitious Horizon: An American Saga—Chapter One. Costner independently financed the production, which he personally put $38 million into and which cost roughly $100 million before marketing was factored in. He also directed, co-wrote, and starred in the film. A $12 million opening weekend would not be a good sign for future movies in the planned four-part epic.
Kevin Costner’s Epic Western Faces Poor Early Tracking
Kevin Costner’s Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter One already has a sequel with a planned release date with Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2 later this summer. If the first movie fails to bring people to the theaters, it’s hard to imagine the second film faring much better. However, insiders told The Hollywood Reporter that the early tracking numbers aren’t fully capturing Costner’s primary fan base, which is located in the middle of the United States rather than the coastal regions.
On Pace To Win The Weekend
Kevin Costner’s Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter One also has some fierce competition for its opening weekend with the proven A Quiet Place franchise’s latest film. A Quiet Place: Day One is the highly-anticipated prequel film that shows the beginning of the alien invasion, and stars Lupita Nyong’o and Joseph Quinn. The film is currently tracking for a $40 million opening, which would make it the big winner for the weekend of June 28.
Mixed Early Reviews From Critics
However, the Hollywood Reporter also points out that the tracking numbers have been off lately, so this could possibly be good news for Kevin Costner’s Horizon and bad news for A Quiet Place: Day One. Then again, the two are distinctly different movies, so it’s possible for them both to have a decent (or bad) opening. There’s also the fact that Horizon received mixed early reviews from critics, which may or may not sway theatergoers in the coming months.
The Future Of The Story Is Already In The Balance
No matter what happens, Kevin Costner’s Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter One and Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter Two will hit screens this year, but this leaves the fate of Chapters 3 and 4 up in the air. Costner began filming on the third movie but needs more funding before moving forward. If the two scheduled films don’t fare well at the box office, it’s hard to imagine Costner will get the funding he needs.
Kevin Costner Is Surrounded By An Amazing Cast
In any case, Warner Bros is going to want to pump up the marketing efforts in the next few weeks if Kevin Costner’s Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter One is to be the hit he needs it to be. Along with Costner’s appeal to middle America and fans of Yellowstone and Westerns in general, there’s a chance the all-star cast could also help to bring in some theatergoers.
Horizon stars Costner alongside Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Giovanni Ribisi, Jena Malone, Abbey Lee, Michael Rooker, Danny Huston, Luke Wilson, Isabelle Fuhrman, Jeff Fahey, Will Patton, Tatanka Means, Owen Crow Shoe, Ella Hunt, Jamie Campbell Bower, and Thomas Haden Church and will hit screens on June 28.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
