Key Takeaways:
– Kevin Costner’s ambitious four-film project ‘Horizon: An American Saga’ has opened to mixed reviews.
– Critics have slated the film for its complicated storyline and exhaustive runtime.
– The first two films are ready for release but funding and production holdups threaten the completion of the remaining two films.
– Costner remains undeterred, committed to delivering the entire project to his eager audience.
Oscar-winning Kevin Costner, known for critically acclaimed films like ‘Field of Dreams’ and ‘Dances With Wolves,’ may potentially be facing his biggest challenge in Hollywood. His new project, ‘Horizon: An American Saga,’ has had a less-than-ideal start.
Critics Throw Shade on the Maiden Release
Costner’s latest pet-project ‘Horizon: An American Saga,’ a four-film epic, has been a long-awaited passion project for the actor, even attracting some of his own funds for production. Having shot and completed the first two films, the initial release had premiered at the Cannes film festival to a thunderous 7-minute standing ovation.
However, upon wider release, the movie began drawing a barrage of mediocre reviews. Notable critics from Time, The Hollywood Reporter, and IGN showed no mercy, slamming the film for its convoluted plot. They criticized the lengthy three-hour runtime and the narrative, claiming it to served only as a setup for the second movie. A lower-than-expected Rotten Tomatoes score of 38% has left fans and critics alike wondering if Costner bit off more than he could chew.
Funding and Production Holdups Threaten Completion
Despite negativity swirling around the maiden release, Costner remains focused on the subsequent chapters. He has already announced dates for the first two films’ release. The actor has, however, voiced concerns over affording the remaining two parts. Production delays, as suggested by reports from World of Reel, imply a challenging journey ahead for the accomplished actor and director.
Costner has implied that the production of the last two parts could rely heavily on the performance of the first two films. But with the first film’s lukewarm response dampening hopes, fans are desperate for an improvement in the coming sequel.
Costner Eager to Deliver Passion Project to Fans
Despite endless speculation and uncertainty around his new project, no one can question Kevin Costner’s commitment to his craft. His eagerness to deliver ‘Horizon: An American Saga’ to his audience remains undeterred. In an interview with Indiewire, Costner clarified that he does not want to keep the audience waiting too long for the sequels.
Contrary to industry norms of waiting for a film’s commercial performance before venturing into a sequel, Costner seems determined in his approach. He’s rushing into the subsequent parts, without being swayed by the prudent approach of analyzing the economics of the effort. He told Indiewire, “Regardless of ‘Well, let’s watch the economics and see how we do.’ That’s prudent, but not to me.”
With ‘Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1,’ Costner has enlisted a strong ensemble cast including Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Giovanni Ribisi, Jena Malone, and many others. Both Chapter 1 and 2 are scheduled for release on June 28, 2024, and August 16, 2024, respectively. Fans are now eagerly waiting to see if Costner can overcome these initial hurdles and successfully deliver his ambitious project.
