The movie Kevin Costner compared to an alien encounter: “It’s my own private UFO”
In 1988, Kevin Costner first dreamt up a single small-scale western called Horizon, and in 2003, he approached Walt Disney Studios with the project. Eventually, in 2024, Horizon: An American Saga was released as the first chapter in a four-part western epic. However, despite an 11-minute 40-second standing ovation when it opened at Cannes and a good reception for chapter two at the Venice Film Festival, the official release of the saga has been delayed indefinitely.
Upon its release in July, the film fell short at the box office and subsequently, the release of the second instalment was cancelled. However, Costner seems determined that not only will Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2 have a box office release, but it will also be followed by chapters three and four. “I’m going to make 3,” he said. “I don’t know how I’m going to do it, but I’m going to make it and then I’m going to make the fourth one. And if you want to say ’the end’ at that point, then that’s the end.”
Costner’s previous western epic Dance with Wolves was incredibly successful, winning ‘Best Picture’ and ‘Best Director’, as well as five other categories, at the 63rd Academy Awards. Yet, Horizon was dreamt up even before Dance with Wolves. It just had the misfortune of rotting in production hell for decades. Yet, Costner never gave up on the dream. He thought audiences could learn something from a classically-styled western that told the true story of the American West.
With time, the project expanded from a singular film focused on two lead characters to a four-part saga with an ensemble cast that includes Sienna Miller, Luke Wilson, Sam Worthington and, of course, himself. And Costner is determined to continue the story despite the trouble it seems to continue bringing him. It seems like a Sisyphean effort, even by the director’s own admission.
“It’s my own private UFO,” he commented. “I’ve seen it and I will never forget it and I chase it as long as I can.” And he might be chasing it for the rest of his life at this point. He’s even ensured that the show can still go on if he doesn’t get to see it through in his lifetime. Regardless of your opinions of the movie, it proves that Costner is nothing if not ambitious.
Yet, the very ambitious expansion of the concept seems to be its own downfall, with my critics feeling like the first instalment was too light on plot and too full of characters for its three-hour run time. But even this criticism doesn’t seem able to put Costner off on his decades-long ambition. He is sure that he will get people out to the cinema to see each instalment, hoping that it can become a family affair like the cinema-going experiences of the past.
“I will figure out a way to bring you three and four, because you’ve gone to one and you’re gonna go to two, and we’re all gonna go West together.” If anything, it’s simply quite endearing to see a successful star so hellbent on trying to get their vision realised.
