Kevin Costner, the Oscar-winning director and Emmy Award-winning actor, took a significant gamble with his ambitious four-part Western, “Horizon: An American Saga.” However, when “Chapter 1” hit theaters on June 28, the response from moviegoers was underwhelming. The three-hour film, which received mixed reviews, has only managed to gross $25 million, marking it as a considerable disappointment. This lackluster performance has led New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Discovery to delay the release of “Chapter 2,” which was initially scheduled for August 16, indefinitely.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the decision to delay “Chapter 2” is aimed at preserving its theatrical release while waiting for a potential increase in audience interest. This strategy might involve hoping that the film gains traction on PVOD next week and eventually on Max. Costner’s vision for the movie was to entice adults back into theaters, but the lengthy 180-minute runtime and the perception that “Chapter 1” was primarily a setup made it a challenging sell.
Costner’s production company, Territory Pictures, released a statement expressing gratitude for the audience’s response to “Horizon” and their enthusiasm for the continuation of the story in “Horizon 2.” The statement emphasized that the support from film fans and theater owners reinforces their belief in the films they have made. They also welcomed the opportunity to expand the release window, believing it would enhance the experience of watching “Horizon 2.”
Despite the positive spin, “Chapter 1” has not fared well critically, holding a 48% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 48 on Metacritic. Its Cinemascore rating is a B-, which, while not disastrous, does not indicate strong demand for a sequel. The film’s underperformance is particularly tough for Costner, who co-financed much of the project himself. Additionally, the extensive production schedule required him to step away from the hit series “Yellowstone” for its fifth season.
The third chapter of “Horizon” is currently in production, with the fourth part set to begin shortly. However, the future of the series remains uncertain, hinging on whether the audience’s interest can be rekindled.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter, GoldDerby
