Key Takeaways:
– Kevin Costner's long-awaited epic, Horizon: An American Saga, was released on June 28 with a dismal opening of just $11 million.
– Co-star Michael Rooker urges audiences to appreciate ‘real cinema' and give the three-hour saga a shot.
– Despite the disappointing opening, Costner remains confident and content with the outcome of his movie.
A Long-Awaited Dream Realized
Actor and filmmaker Kevin Costner fulfilled a twenty-year-old dream with the release of his epic movie, ‘Horizon: An American Saga'. The project, an exploration of the American expansion in the West during the Civil War, had been a brainchild of the actor since his directorial debut ‘Open Range'. But the $100 million saga met with a lukewarm response, grossing just $11 million on its opening weekend.
Rooker Comes to Film's Defense
Michael Rooker, Costner's co-star in the film, was quick to defend ‘Horizon'. He stated that the emerging trend of short-form content and 90-minute films could be blamed for the film's poor reception. Rooker asserted that audiences have become ‘TikTok-ified', preferring bite-sized entertainment over full-length cinema. He urged viewers to churn out their old habits and embrace ‘real cinema' like Horizon.
Disappointing Opening but Hope Lingers
‘Horizon: An American Saga' competed with popular films like ‘Inside Out 2' and ‘A Quiet Place: Day One' on its opening weekend, which could have contributed to its underperformance. Costner, however, doesn't seem to be bogged down by the dismal numbers. He admires the final output of the film, stating that the way it turned out was more important than early box office numbers.
Rollercoaster of a Career
Costner's career has seen many ups and downs. He started with acting in modern-day classics and then ventured into direction with the Western ‘Dances with Wolves', bagging an Oscar for Best Director. Later films didn't do so well, and he took a considerable risk with ‘Horizon'. But the passionate actor remains unfazed by the commercial results. He said that he would be disappointed if he had just aimed for success.
Looking Ahead
Despite the lukewarm response to the first chapter, the second chapter is scheduled to be released in August. Production of the third chapter of this four-part saga has already commenced. The intrepid filmmaker seems undeterred by the film's initial failure, and Costner's fans hope that his passion project gets the recognition it deserves.
Horizon: An American Saga's first chapter is currently available in theaters for the cinephiles willing to give ‘real cinema' a chance.
As we appreciate our beloved stars stretching their creative limits and bringing forth their vision on the big screen, it is also essential for the audiences to support and appreciate longer, story-driven epics like ‘Horizon'. After all, cinema is a reflection of life, and not all stories can be squeezed into 90-minute slots or TikTok videos. The saga continues, and only time will tell if Costner's gamble pays off in the end.
