Title: Kevin Costner Defends Casting Son in ‘Horizon: An American Saga’ without Audition
Key Takeaways:
– Kevin Costner, the iconic actor and filmmaker, has cast his 15-year-old son, Hayes, in his passion project, ‘Horizon: An American Saga,’ without a traditional audition.
– Costner is playing the character Hayes Ellison, after whom he named his son.
– The film has been a project close to his heart since the late 1980s.
– Costner’s decision comes amid criticisms in Hollywood on ‘nepo babies.’
– He has defended his decision saying he wanted his son close by, and it was not out of favoritism or nepotism.
Renowned Hollywood actor and filmmaker, Kevin Costner, disclosed recently he cast his son in his upcoming Western epic, ‘Horizon: An American Saga,’ without hosting an audition. The veteran actor affectionately referred to his son taking on a small part in the two-part feature, which has been labeled as Costner’s passion project.
The Character Connection
During an exclusive interaction with Entertainment Tonight at Warner Bros. Pictures’ presentation at CinemaCon 2024 in Las Vegas, Costner revealed an intriguing bond between his reel and real-life. His character in the film, Hayes Ellison, inspired the name of his son, Hayes Costner, now 15 years old. The beloved actor started to develop this movie back in the late 1980s, offering Hayes an opportunity to mark his film debut in a monumental way.
Reminiscing this decision, Costner said, “I named him after the character I play in this. My character’s name is Hayes Ellison. And I named Hayes that character. So I was watching him grow up and I was thinking, ‘Man, I better get with it and make this movie’.”
The Unconventional Casting Decision
Hayes Costner, shared by the actor with his ex-wife, Christine Baumgartner, did not have to go through the traditional route of proving his talent through an audition. Instead, he was given a role in his father’s ambitious venture. The decision raised eyebrows due to the growing concern around ‘nepo babies’—those who gain from familial connections to the industry.
Costner, standing unyielding in his choice, clarified, “No, listen. I don’t give great parts away. I understand that there’s young actors out [there] that would kill for these parts.”
More Than Just Nepotism
Costner further defended his decision, indicating it was a desire to build a more in-depth bond with his son that prompted it. “I wanted him close and so I did it. So we’re locked together in a film forever. Actually, I’m not in any scenes with him, but I directed him when he was little and now he’s big.”
‘Horizon: An American Saga’ showcases an ensemble cast, featuring names like Danny Huston, Luke Wilson, Ella Hunt, Jamie Campbell Bower, Michael Rooker, Jena Malone, Michael Rooker, Abbey Lee, Will Patton, Tatanka Means, and Ella Miller.
Backing His Passion Project
Known for his commitment, Costner even mortgaged his property in Santa Barbara to fuel his dream creation, a revelation he made back in May 2023. Showing no signs of unease about the upcoming release, Costner expressed, “No, I feel really good about what this movie, what it does to me. It was the kind of movie that I hoped someone would make for me. That’s what I like to see.”
With the first chapter hitting the screens on June 28, followed closely by the second one on August 16, viewers and critics alike await the unveiling of Costner’s passion project and the debut of Hayes in the much-anticipated film. News of Costner choosing to cast his son without an audition in this much-awaited saga proves that this film is as much a familial endeavor as it is Costner’s professional ambition.
