Key Takeaways:
– Kevin Costner is releasing two movies from his four-part dream project, ‘Horizon: An American Saga.'
– Despite standing ovation at Cannes, the project failed to secure external funding.
– The project's success may depend on the performance of the first two films in theaters.
The Much-Awaited ‘Horizon: An American Saga'
Multiple Oscar-winning actor Kevin Costner, known for his diverse roles in romance, action, and drama films, is set to release two movies from a four-part Western titled ‘Horizon: An American Saga.' This has been a dream project for Costner, which he had been working on since 1988, but due to several challenges, it's only recently that it began to churn to reality.
Disappointing Experience at the Cannes Film Festival
Costner's hope was high when he attended this year's Cannes Film Festival. This was more than an appearance for him; it was the stepping stone to bring his long-gestating vision to life. Despite getting an impressive 11-minute standing ovation at Cannes for the first movie in the series, the project did not secure external funding.
As Costner shared on the Late Night With Jimmy Fallon show, he relied on his own resources and whatever he could raise overseas for the project. The financing was a greater challenge than he expected, leaving him to handle the financial burden alone.
The Tough Road for Western Projects
Raising funding for a Western seems to scale greater heights in today's cinematic climate, given the genre's dwindling popularity. Costner has already tasted success in the genre with his role as John Dutton in the hit series ‘Yellowstone,' created by Taylor Sheridan. However, he left the series before it concluded, due to reported dissatisfaction with the project's handling and multiple delays in shooting.
Kevin Costner's Struggle and Determination
In light of the unsuccessful Cannes outing and the rise in hurdles, Costner's determination remains unwavered. He voiced his frustration on Variety about his struggle to gather interest and investment in his project. Seemingly affected by the lack of support, he humorously mentioned knocking on the doors of Cannes' wealthiest in a bid to secure funds.
His love for the project doesn't lessen the harsh reality. He suggested that the audience might not be as excited about his work as he is, which could be the reason behind the movie's difficult journey to secure funding.
The Uncertain Future for ‘Horizon: An American Saga'
There's no denying Costner's dedication and relentless efforts to fulfill his dream project. However, the future of ‘Horizon: An American Saga' remains shrouded in uncertainty. Depending on the box office success of the first two films, Costner may be able to secure funding for the remaining movies, might have to self-finance them, or worst-case scenario, drop the project entirely.
The first two movies – ‘Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1' and ‘Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2' are scheduled to release on June 28, 2024, and August 16, 2024, respectively.
In conclusion, Kevin Costner's journey of creating ‘Horizon: An American Saga' distinctly highlights the difficulties of realizing a genre-specific dream project in a fiercely competitive industry. Undeterred by the challenges, the actor's conviction stays strong, making the audience eagerly anticipate the release.
