Kevin Costner’s ambitious Western film series, Horizon: An American Saga, has been one of the most talked-about projects in Hollywood, both for its grand vision and its struggles to find commercial success.
The film has been a passion project for Costner, who is not only the star but also the director and producer of the films.
Horizon focuses on the birth of a small town on the American frontier and introduces a diverse cast of characters, each with complex backstories.
However, after the release of the first part of the series, Horizon: Chapter 1, the future of the saga has been uncertain.
While fans eagerly await news of Horizon – Chapter 2, Costner and his team are giving audiences a glimpse behind the scenes of how this ambitious Western was created.
Though this isn’t exactly the news fans were hoping for, it does offer a fresh perspective on Costner’s self-funded vision for Horizon.
This documentary, which will show the creative challenges and journey involved in making the films, has already captured attention for its promise to take viewers through the production process.
Still, despite its interest, the documentary does not yet have a confirmed streaming home, though there is some hope that it will be available on Max, the current streaming service hosting Horizon: Chapter 1.
The Horizon Journey So Far
The Horizon saga is set against the backdrop of the American frontier. It tells the story of settlers creating a new life in a small, emerging town, each with their own complicated pasts and reasons for seeking new beginnings in the untamed West. The first film, Horizon: Chapter 1, was released in theaters on June 28, 2024.
It had a production budget of about $100 million, a significant amount for a Western film, especially one that was self-funded by Costner. The film was met with mixed reviews and was considered a disappointment at the box office.
It grossed just $38.2 million worldwide, which was far below expectations for a movie with such a large budget. Critics were divided on the film, with some appreciating the scope of Costner’s vision, while others felt the film did not fully deliver on its promises.
Despite its underperformance in theaters, Horizon: Chapter 1 found a second life on Video on Demand (VOD), suggesting that there is a strong, dedicated fanbase for Costner’s ambitious Western. This development is a positive sign, as it suggests there is still interest in the story.
However, the disappointing box office numbers led New Line Cinema, the film’s distributor, to postpone the release of Horizon: Chapter 2.
Originally scheduled for an August premiere, the sequel is now indefinitely delayed, leaving fans wondering when they will get to see the next chapter in this epic saga.
The Future of the Horizon Series
As of now, the future of the Horizon saga remains uncertain. Horizon – Chapter 2 has been completed, but the release strategy is still up in the air.
New Line Cinema has not confirmed when the sequel will be released or whether it will have a theatrical release or go straight to streaming.
Despite this uncertainty, Costner has expressed his passion for the project and his hopes to continue filming parts 3 and 4 of the saga.
In a recent interview with Today, Costner shared his thoughts on the journey so far:
“I love the journey of this thing. It’s been the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I love this movie… I made a promise to myself, I’m trying desperately to keep it, and to bring it to people, these kind of giant stories, and I hope that people fall in love with these characters.”
Costner’s words show his dedication to the project and his belief in the story he is telling. He is not just making these films for the sake of entertainment but is driven by a desire to share a grand, emotional story about the American frontier and its settlers.
This passion is evident in the way he talks about the project, and it’s clear that he is committed to seeing it through despite the challenges.
The fact that Horizon: Chapter 2 is already finished suggests that it will eventually see the light of day, even if the release date is still uncertain.
Fans will likely get to see the sequel, but the question remains: will it be in theaters, or will it go straight to streaming platforms like so many films have in recent years?
There has been some speculation that Max, which currently streams Horizon: Chapter 1, may be the home for the second chapter of the saga, though the platform has not confirmed this and has yet to view the footage.
The Documentary: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Horizon
While the release of Horizon – Chapter 2 remains uncertain, there is a new way for fans to engage with the project: a documentary that offers an inside look at how the Horizon films were made.
This documentary was produced by Costner’s agency, WME, and will focus on the behind-the-scenes process of creating Horizon.
Fans will get a chance to see the creative journey and challenges that Costner faced while making the film.
The documentary offers an interesting perspective on how a project like Horizon comes together. As a self-funded project, Costner had to take on a significant amount of financial risk to bring his vision to life.
The documentary will likely show how he faces the pressures of financing a major film without the support of a large studio, as well as the obstacles he faced in producing a film on such a grand scale.
It’s clear that Costner put his heart and soul into the project, and the documentary will likely reveal some of the difficulties and triumphs that came with creating such a massive film.
However, as of now, the documentary does not have a streaming home. Reports suggest that Max may be interested in hosting it, given that the platform already carries Horizon: Chapter 1, but nothing has been confirmed yet.
Until then, fans will have to wait for more details on where they can watch the documentary. Regardless of where it lands, it is sure to be an exciting addition for fans who are interested in learning more about the making of the Horizon series.
A Long Road Ahead for Horizon
The journey of Horizon has not been an easy one, but Costner’s passion for the project is clear.
He has faced numerous challenges, both in terms of the production of the film and the reception it received, but he remains determined to continue telling this story.
With parts 3 and 4 already in mind, Costner is committed to seeing the saga through to its end.
Whether or not Horizon: Chapter 2 will find success in theaters or on streaming remains to be seen, but the dedicated fanbase that has emerged on VOD shows that there is interest in the series.
Costner’s promise to keep telling the story and bring it to the people is a powerful statement, and it seems that no matter what happens with the release of Chapter 2, the Horizon saga will continue to unfold in the coming years.
In the meantime, the behind-the-scenes documentary offers an exciting look at the making of the first chapter of Horizon. It gives fans a chance to see the hard work and dedication that went into bringing this vision to life.
While the future of Horizon remains uncertain, Costner’s commitment to telling this story is clear, and fans can look forward to whatever comes next in the saga.
