Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2 won’t be arriving in theaters anytime soon. The theatrical release of the second film in Kevin Costner’s four-installment dream project, which was scheduled for Aug. 16, has been put on hold, New Line Cinema confirmed to The New York Times and The Associated Press on Wednesday.
According to a New Line Cinema spokesperson, Costner’s Territory Pictures and New Line Cinema have decided to delay the release of Horizon: Chapter 2 to give audiences an opportunity to better view the first Horizon installment in the coming weeks.
The setback for Costner, who served as actor, writer, director and producer on the film, comes after “Horizon: Chapter 1” failed to find success following its release late last month.
When will Horizon: Chapter 2 come out? How did Horizon: Chapter 1 do at the box office?
The film’s predecessor, Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1, opened in theaters on June 28. The Western, which starred Costner alongside Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington and others, has grossed just $23 million worldwide since its opening against its $100 million budget.
However, the film is expected to do better business in the coming weeks as it will release on premium video on demand from July 16 and later on Max.
In a separate statement to the Times and Variety, Territory Pictures thanked audiences for the positive response to the film and said it was “extremely gratifying.” The message also acknowledged the support the film has received from theater owners.
Is Horizon one of the boldest creative risks Kevin Costner has taken in his career?
According to THR, Costner reportedly put $38 million of his own money into Horizon Chapter 1 and financed the rest of the project with the help of two mysterious investors. “I try not to let it keep me up at night,” he told USA Today in June, revealing that he first began dreaming about the story in 1988. Describing himself as a “mongoose playing with a cobra,” the Oscar winner lamented that he can’t change his heart.
Despite a below-average box office performance, Horizon: Chapter 1 received a warm reception at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2024, where the crowd applauded and cheered for between 7 and 11 minutes, bringing Costner to tears.
As of now, there is no information regarding the re-release date of Horizon: Chapter 2.
Also read: ‘Watch a movie that actually tells a story’: Michael Rooker stands up for Kevin Costner’s ‘Horizon’ after box office disappointment