Kevin Costner’s Horizon: An American Saga was supposed to get a sequel next month, but it’s now been removed from the calendar.
In a statement sent to Variety, Territory Pictures and New Line Cinema confirmed that Horizon: An America Saga – Chapter 2 will no longer be released on its previously promised August 16 release date. The blow to Costner’s Western series follows the theatrical release of the first chapter on June 28, 2024.
It’s an indefinite delay for the sequel but not an outright cancelation. Horizon: Chapter 1, meanwhile, is set to release on PVOD on July 16, with a Max release date not yet announced.
“Territory Pictures and New Line Cinema have decided not to release Horizon: Chapter 2 on August 16 in order to give audiences a greater opportunity to discover the first installment of Horizon over the coming weeks, including on PVOD and Max,” a New Line Cinema spokesperson said. “We thank our exhibition partners for their continued support as moviegoers across the U.S. discover the film in its theatrical run.”
Costner directed and starred in the Horizon saga. Chapter 1 reportedly cost $100 million to make but only managed to pull in $11 million on its opening weekend. The star, who is best known for appearing in films like Dances with Wolves, Man of Steel, and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, told GQ in May that he had personally invested “about $38 million in the film.” Both chapters secured their release dates late last year.
Variety’s sources say Horizon: Chapter 1 has performed steadily with older audiences in middle America. The choice to reassess Chapter 2’s release date was made mutually to hopefully garner interest and potentially release even more chapters in the saga down the line.
“The audience response to Horizon, and enthusiasm for seeing our story continue in Horizon 2, has been incredibly gratifying,” Territory said in a statement. “Kevin made this film for people who love movies and who wanted to go on a journey. The support that we have received from film fans, and the theater owners, as they experience the first chapter of this saga only serves to reinforce our belief in them and the films that we have made, and we thank them for coming on board for the ride. We welcome the opportunity for that window to be expanded as we know it will only serve to enhance the experience of seeing Horizon 2.”
We weren’t in love with Horizon: Chapter 1. In our 4/10 review, we said, “The first chapter in Kevin Costner’s epic western series is a meandering, regressive snooze.” No other release plans for Chapter 2 have been announced at this time.
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer at IGN.
