Kevin Costner’s ambitious Western epic, Horizon: An American Saga, premiered to overwhelming acclaim on Sunday, receiving a seven-minute standing ovation, per variety.com. The film, a labour of love for Costner, left the actor-director visibly moved as chants of “Kevin! Kevin! Kevin!” echoed through the Grand Théâtre Lumière.
Costner, in an emotional speech, expressed his gratitude, saying, “I’m sorry you had to clap that long for me to understand that I should speak. Such good people. Such a good moment, not just for me, but for the actors that came with me, for people who believed in me who continued to work. It’s a funny business, and I’m so glad I found it. There’s no place like here. I’ll never forget this — either will my children.”
Promising “three more” installments of the Horizon franchise, Costner confirmed the next film is slated for an August release.
Horizon is a sweeping, blood-soaked saga of the American West, exploring the lives of cattle ranchers, farmers, soldiers and Native Americans. The project is intensely personal for Costner, who invested over $100 million of his own money, including mortgaging his ranch to finance the film.
Despite the enthusiastic reception, the film’s three-hour runtime and gritty frontier narrative proved challenging for some viewers, resulting in notable walkouts. However, those who stayed were treated to an action-packed tale featuring Costner himself as he navigates the perilous 19th century Wild West, complete with a controversial age-gap romance and a climactic showdown that drew the loudest applause.
Horizon marks a significant return to the Western genre for Costner, who previously achieved critical and commercial success with Dances With Wolves and Open Range. The film’s debut comes amidst a backdrop of Costner’s high-profile departure from the hit series “Yellowstone,” which he left due to the demands of “Horizon.”
The ensemble cast includes Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Giovanni Ribisi and Jena Malone, among others. “Horizon” will open in U.S. theaters on June 28, with its second chapter following on August 16. As anticipation builds, the success of the first installment will be crucial in determining the fate of its sequels.
•Featured image of Kevin Costner attending the ‘Horizon: An American Saga’ Red Carpet at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 19, 2024 in Cannes, France/Cindy Ord/Getty Images
