Kevin Costner’s ambitious Western saga, Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2, has been pulled from its planned August theatrical release following the disappointing performance of the first installment. The sequel will now premiere at the Venice Film Festival in September 2024.
Key Takeaways
- Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2 was initially set for an August 16 release but has been removed from the theatrical calendar.
- The decision was made to allow more time for audiences to discover the first film, which underperformed at the box office.
- The sequel will now premiere at the Venice Film Festival in September 2024.
- Kevin Costner invested $38 million of his own money into the first film and plans to make four films in total.
The Decision to Pull the Release
Kevin Costner’s Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2 was originally scheduled to hit theaters on August 16, 2024. However, after the first film in the series failed to make a significant impact at the box office, Costner’s Territory Pictures and New Line Cinema decided to pull the sequel from the release calendar. The aim is to give audiences more time to discover the initial movie, which will be available on Premium VOD starting July 16.
Financial Stakes and Audience Reception
The first installment, Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1, opened to a disappointing $11 million over its debut weekend and has earned less than $3 million overseas. The film, which cost $100 million to produce, received mixed reviews and a poor B- CinemaScore. Costner, who invested $38 million of his own money into the project, had high hopes that the film would resonate with audiences, particularly in America’s heartland. However, the majority of the audience has been over the age of 45, a demographic not known for rushing to theaters.
Venice Film Festival Premiere
Despite the setback, Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2 will have its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival in September 2024. The film will be featured in the out-of-competition section, alongside a screening of the first chapter. Costner expressed his gratitude to Venice Film Fest director Alberto Barbera for supporting his cinematic vision.
Future Plans
Kevin Costner remains committed to his ambitious project, which aims to chronicle the great migration West during the Civil War era. He plans to make four films in total, with the third installment set to begin shooting in August. While Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema have not picked up distribution rights for the third and fourth movies, Costner’s team is optimistic about the future of the series.
Refunds and Future Releases
For those who had already purchased advance tickets for Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2, refunds will be issued. The film will still be released theatrically at a later, undisclosed date. In the meantime, the first chapter will continue to be available in theaters and on Premium VOD, with hopes that it will gain more traction over time.
Marketing and Promotion
The marketing campaign for the first film was extensive, featuring Costner touring the country and premiering the film at the Cannes Film Festival. Warner Bros. also leveraged its sister companies for promotion, including TNT sporting events and TCM. Despite these efforts, the film failed to attract a younger audience, particularly fans of Costner’s hit show Yellowstone.
Conclusion
While the initial reception of Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1 was underwhelming, Kevin Costner remains undeterred. With the sequel set to premiere at the Venice Film Festival and plans for two more films in the series, Costner is committed to bringing his vision of America’s westward expansion to life.
Sources
- Kevin Costner’s ‘Horizon 2’ Pulled From August Release in Theaters After First Film Flops (Exclusive), The Hollywood Reporter.
- Kevin Costner’s ‘Horizon: Chapter 2’ to premiere at Venice Film Festival after theatrical release pulled: The latest, Yahoo.
- Biennale Cinema 2024 | Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter Two directed by and starring Kevin Costner, La Biennale di Venezia.
