Kevin Costner is betting everything on the box office success of his latest feature film, Horizon: An American Saga.
He released the first trailer on Monday for the four-part post-Civil War drama that has been synonymous with his name for decades, dating back to his first directorial role, Dances with Wolves. Introducing the era of western exploration.
During a Zoom panel, Costner expressed his gratitude to God for allowing him to even make his first two films. “I’m very happy in my own life that God allowed me to accomplish those first two,” Costner said. “I mean, if I get hit by lightning, who knows what will happen? At least I went west.”
The first part of the country-western saga will be released in theaters on Friday, June 28th, and the second part of the drama will be released 49 days later on Friday, August 16th.
Kevin Costner reveals his first Western experience and admits ‘Horizon’ was his ‘biggest struggle’
Kevin Costner is “coming closer to his powers” with Horizon, but the four-part epic still faces many risks. (Getty Images)
Branding expert Doug Eldridge believes Horizon will do “incredibly well” and that Costner will “seize the gap” to fill the void left by his departure from Yellowstone. “Smart.”
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“There are two sides to every story, and with an all-star A-list cast and the nation’s newfound thirst for patriotic Westerns, director Costner makes a genuine effort to portray both elements of history.” We’re working on it,” Eldridge said. “His timing, tone and collective talent couldn’t be better. Get ready for a big hit.”
In addition to starring in Westerns, Costner also directed the film and co-wrote the screenplay for “Horizon.” (Warner Bros.)
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Eldridge recalled the box office success of The Matrix when it was released in May and November 2003.
“Given the recent instability in the entire entertainment ecosystem, from business shutdowns due to COVID-19 to a writer’s strike that has nearly crippled all of Hollywood, Costner shot each film in a short period of time. , packaging it and publishing it in a smart way,” Eldridge said.
“Horizon: An American Saga” is set after the Civil War. (Warner Bros.)
Costner used a $50 million mortgage on a 10-acre property in Santa Barbara to finance the film. (Tommaso Body)
In addition to starring in feature films, Costner also directed “Horizon” from a screenplay he co-wrote with John Baird. But the film came with a hefty price tag, costing Costner more than $20 million out of pocket, leading to his ex-wife Christine Baumgartner filing for divorce in May after 18 years. This was later revealed in court documents. About marriage.
“His timing, tone, and assembled talent couldn’t be better. Get ready for a big hit.”
In documents obtained by Fox News Digital, Baumgartner’s legal team explained how Costner expected to receive a “cascade” of funds from Horizon after the initial investment.
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“Kevin’s total compensation for acting, producing, and directing for Horizon 1 is approximately $12 million, and for Horizon 2 he is approximately $12 million, most of which was voluntarily deferred by Kevin,” the document states. I am. “Kevin estimates that this money will be ‘cascading’ back to him starting late next year.Kevin also has a profit on Horizons 1 and 2, which is another source of income. I am.”
Costner has mortgaged a $50 million oceanfront property in Santa Barbara to ensure proper financing for the project, Deadline reported. “I had mortgaged 10 acres of land on the water in Santa Barbara and planned to build my last home there,” he said. “But I did it without thinking. It made my accountant a terrible believer. But this is my life and I believe in the idea and the story. Masu.”
Brand expert Eric Schiffer Hollywood has legitimate concerns that Costner’s 30-year blockbuster won’t pay back the millions of dollars he personally invested in the project, he exclusively told Fox News Digital. “Having invested tens of millions of dollars, mortgaged his home, and risked reliving memories of ‘Waterworld,’ he may face heartbreaking pain.” do not have.”
“This is a dangerous time for him because he’s doing something that a lot of people in Hollywood would say is crazy, releasing two or two movies,” Schiffer explained. . “This happens with TV and streaming, but on the theater side, you’re asking people questions at times when they’re not normally used to watching entertainment on demand and then driving to the theater. Become.”
Christine Baumgartner filed for divorce from Kevin Costner in May after 18 years of marriage. (Getty Images)
Kevin Costner’s new Territory film studio in St. George, Utah, will include a restaurant and catering department. (Greater Zion Tourism Authority)
The first film in the four-part saga entered post-production in August, a “critical” time to wrap things up, Costner said during testimony in the divorce case.
“I’m here,” Costner insisted on the stand. Custody battle with Christine.
Costner and Christine have three children, Kayden (16), Grace (13), and Hayes (15), who made his acting debut in Horizon.
Their divorce was finalized in February, and the Field of Dreams star was romantically linked to singer Jewel earlier this year when they were spotted together on Richard Branson’s Necker Island. Rumors started flying around.
Kevin Costner’s divorce from Christine Baumgartner is finalized
Taking on so much financial responsibility for “Horizon” was “not a wise thing to do,” Costner admitted during the “Horizon” trailer release. “But I’m counting on people, I’m counting on the movie to speak louder than what I can say. And with that in mind, I’ve taken it upon myself to push West aside and I just left and went to Utah to make this movie.”
The “Tin Cup” actor was so impressed by Utah’s landscape while filming “Horizon” that he decided to put down roots in St. George and build a state-of-the-art movie studio.
st george Mayor Michelle Randall confirmed to Fox News Digital that Territory Film Studios “hopes to break ground in the spring or summer,” depending on the permitting process.
Costner admitted that making Horizon was “the biggest struggle.” (Richard Bode)
It seems like a big risk for Costner to finance Horizon himself, but it’s not the first time he’s done so.
Mr. Costner used his own money to finance the films 1990’s “Dances with Wolves,” 1997’s “The Postman,” and 2014’s “Black or White.” Of the three projects, Dances with Wolves received the most critical acclaim and box office success. Costner won two Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Picture, and was nominated for Best Actor.
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Fox News Digital’s Larry Fink contributed to this report.
