Kevin Costner Thankful ‘God Allowed’ Him to Make Upcoming Western Movies
By Movieguide® Contributor
Kevin Costner is grateful that God “allowed” him to make HORIZON: AN AMERICAN SAGA, the first in a four-part, post-Civil War series.
“I’m terribly satisfied in my own life that God allowed me to get these first two done,” Costner said of the movies. “I mean, if I’m hit by lightning, who knows what happens? At least I went West.”
A synopsis of HORIZON says the saga “explores the lure of the Old West and how it was won — and lost — through the blood, sweat and tears of many.”
“Costner’s ambitious cinematic adventure will take audiences on an emotional journey across a country at war with itself, experienced through the lens of families, friends and foes all attempting to discover what it truly means to be the United States of America,” the synopsis concluded, per PEOPLE.
These movies have been a 30-year dream of Costner’s; the actor even took out a loan on his home to fund them.
“When no one wanted to make the first one, I got the bright idea to make four,” the actor joked. “So I don’t know what’s wrong with me. But I wanted it to step away from what we usually see in Westerns where there’s a town that’s already there. No one knows how [the town] came to be. There’s a guy comes in off the horizon, if you will. We don’t know much about him, except that he has some skills he’d like to put behind him and this town ends up needing those stills desperately … Too often, it’s just a convenience for the hero guy to knock down a dumb guy.”
Costner continued, “We have a lot of Westerns that aren’t good too because they get simplified [but] this isn’t Disneyland. These are real lives. People just making their way, women just trying to keep their families clean and fed … I’m drawn to that. I’m always gonna get to my gunfight, but I’m drawn to the little things that people had to endure. So to me, HORIZON was worth holding on to because I just felt like I wanted to tell it. It grew and it grew and it grew until suddenly I realized that I just had to make it, and I had to look to myself financially to do it — which is not the smartest thing. But I count on the movie speaking louder than anything I can say.”
HORIZON: AN AMERICAN SAGA CHAPTER 1 will premiere June 28, with CHAPTER 2 coming August 16.
Some have wondered if making the HORIZON movies are what caused Costner to leave YELLOWSTONE last year. Movieguide® previously reported:
When Kevin Costner left YELLOWSTONE, Paramount announced the series would end, but fans were never told why—until now. Costner revealed last Friday that he left because of pay, creative and schedule issues.
“According to reporters present at the trial, Costner said: ‘There were issues about creative. I tried to break the logjam. They walked away.’ He is believed to have said he will ‘probably go to court’ over the matter,” Independent reported.
“I couldn’t help them anymore. We tried to negotiate, they offered me less money than previous seasons…” Costner also said during the hearing.
Several sources have reported that the schedule conflicts Costner referred to have to do with a western the actor is making called HORIZON: AN AMERICAN SAGA.
“Costner is in the process of making HORIZON, a Western saga that is set to play out over the course of four separate films. He first began work on the project in 1988, envisioning it as a single movie,” Parade reported in July.
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
