Kevin Costner's ambitious four-part Western epic, Horizon: An American Saga, has taken a new turn. After the first chapter's underwhelming theatrical run and subsequent streaming success on Netflix, the second installment is now heading to Prime Video. But don't expect a smooth ride—the saga's future remains as uncertain as the frontier it depicts.
Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2 was completed and even screened at the 2024 Venice Film Festival, but Warner Bros. pulled its planned August 16, 2024 theatrical release after Chapter 1 opened to just $11 million. Now, the film will debut on Prime Video on May 23, giving it a chance to find a new audience. However, Costner himself has expressed doubts about the project's continuation, telling reporters at Venice, "It didn't have overwhelming success."
A Rocky Road for Costner's Passion Project
Costner walked away from his hit series Yellowstone to pour his heart—and his own money—into Horizon. The first chapter, a three-hour slow-burn Western, earned tepid reviews and a lukewarm box office. Yet it found a second life on Netflix, climbing to the top of the streaming charts. This pattern suggests the series may work better as a home-viewing experience, much like a prestige TV miniseries.
At the Savannah Film Festival, Costner revealed he's shot about eight days of Chapter 3 and is searching for "the right distribution partner." He compared the saga to classic American literature like Treasure Island, saying, "I would hope that Horizon takes its place in a more classic vein." But with Warner Bros. seemingly hesitant to commit to a theatrical release, the project's future is in limbo.
Warner Bros.' Troubled Track Record
Warner Bros. has faced criticism for its handling of mid-budget films, from shelving Batgirl and Coyote vs. Acme to giving Clint Eastwood's Juror #2 a limited release. The studio's decision to release Horizon chapters just six weeks apart in summer 2024 may have backfired, as Chapter 1 needed time to build word-of-mouth. When it underperformed, the studio panicked and shelved the sequel.
Costner remains defiant, insisting that Chapters 3 and 4 will see the light of day. "I don't know how I'm going to make 'Three' right now," he admitted, "but I'm going to make it." Meanwhile, he's attached to a new project, Headhunters, a tropical surf thriller that could help fund the Horizon saga—or distract him from it.
What's Next for Horizon?
The Prime Video release on May 23 offers a glimmer of hope. If the film performs well on the streamer, it could convince Warner Bros. or another distributor to back the remaining chapters. But for now, fans are left waiting. Costner's career has been defined by taking risks—from Dances With Wolves to Yellowstone—and he's not about to give up on his Western dream.
For those who missed Chapter 1, it's currently streaming on Netflix, and the sequel will soon be available on Prime Video. Whether this saga will ride off into the sunset or get stuck at the pass remains to be seen. But if anyone can wrangle a comeback, it's Kevin Costner.
Check out more on Costner's streaming resurgence in our article on Kevin Costner's Tom Clancy thriller 'Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit'. And for another Western gem, see Roger Ebert's rave of Patrick Swayze's only Western.
