Kevin Costner recently opened up about the challenging circumstances he faced while filming the 2016 movie “Hidden Figures.” In a candid interview with People magazine, the 69-year-old actor revealed that he was on a morphine drip during the last two weeks of shooting due to severe kidney stones. Despite the intense pain and the need for constant IV treatment, Costner did not miss a single day of work.
“I’ve never worked drunk on a set. I’ve never worked high on a set. But I was on morphine the last two weeks that I worked on ‘Hidden Figures,'” Costner shared. “I had kidney stones, and I worked 10 days under an IV drip. I don’t even know how I managed it.”
Costner explained that he initially felt normal for about three days before his condition worsened. “Something happened to me, and I was right back on the morphine drip,” he recalled. “I sat in my trailer with a morphine drip in my arm.”
“Hidden Figures,” directed by Theodore Melfi, is based on Margot Lee Shetterly’s 2016 non-fiction book of the same name. The film tells the story of three Black female mathematicians—Katherine Goble Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer), and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe)—whose work at NASA was crucial to the successful launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit. Costner played Al Harrison, the fictional director of NASA’s Space Task Group, a character based on three real-life individuals.
The actor revealed that the visible bruising from the IV treatments affected his wardrobe choices in the film. “I eventually had to have my sleeves down in the movie as opposed to rolled up because of that,” he said. “I wanted to cry, but there was everybody watching, so I didn’t.”
Despite the physical challenges, Costner described his collaboration with director Theodore Melfi as one of the greatest experiences of his career. “Working with Ted was magic. He trusted me so much,” Costner said. The two worked together to develop the character of Al Harrison, ensuring that the role was authentic and compelling.
“Hidden Figures” was a box office success and received three Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress for Octavia Spencer, and Best Adapted Screenplay. The film’s success was a testament to the dedication and hard work of everyone involved, including Costner, who powered through his health issues to deliver a memorable performance.
In addition to “Hidden Figures,” Costner has continued to work on other projects, including his four-part post-Civil War drama, “Horizon: An American Saga.” The first movie in the series recently arrived in theaters, with Costner not only starring but also writing and directing the films. He has invested a significant amount of his own money into the project, calling it a passion project that has been nearly 30 years in the making.
“I know they say I’ve got $20 million of my own money in this movie,” Costner told GQ magazine. “It’s not true. I’ve got now about $38 million in the film. That’s the truth. That’s the real number.”
Despite the financial risks and the pressure of opening weekend box office numbers, Costner remains optimistic about “Horizon.” “I’ve lived with movies and what happens to them on their opening weekend,” he told Entertainment Weekly. “If we put so much pressure on that, we’re bound to be disappointed. I’m really happy that ‘Horizon’ looks like what it’s supposed to look like, and that’s the way it’ll look the rest of its life. And that’s really important to me in this process.”
Costner’s dedication to his craft and his ability to persevere through difficult circumstances is evident in both “Hidden Figures” and “Horizon.” His commitment to delivering high-quality performances, even in the face of personal challenges, is a testament to his professionalism and passion for filmmaking.
As Costner continues to work on new projects, his fans can look forward to more compelling performances and stories that reflect his dedication and talent. Whether he’s battling kidney stones on set or investing millions of his own money into a passion project, Kevin Costner remains a true Hollywood icon.
Source: People, Entertainment Weekly, GQ
