The third installment in Kevin Costner’s magnum opus, theHorizon: An American Sagafranchise, faces an uncertain future, and it’s not clear if it can survive the first two chapters' box office woes and delays.Horizonhas long been a passion project for Costner. He first commissioned scripts for the film in the 1980s, and to actually get them made,Costner spent millions of dollars onHorizon. Even Costner’s own money may not be enough to see the franchise to its end, however, especially afterChapter 1’s lackluster box office performance - it earned just $38 million worldwide, well short of recouping its budget (viaBox Office Mojo).
ThoughHorizon Chapter 1gained some popularity on streaming, the future of the franchise is still uncertain. The first installment’s worldwide box office gains were low enough to cause adelay inHorizon: Chapter 2, which was originally set to hit theaters on August 16. WhileChapter 2is finished and is supposed to be released sometime in late 2024, neither the first installment’s earnings nor the second’s delay are good signs forHorizon Chapter 3.Even though no one knows ifChapter 3is still happening yet,Horizonisn’t necessarily done yet, and neither is Kevin Costner.
Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 3 Is Currently In Early Production
Despite the troublesHorizonhas already faced,Chapter 3is currently in early production. According toThe Hollywood Reporter, a few scenes ofChapter 3have already been filmed, though the bulk of the movie remains unfinished. At theend ofHorizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1, a montage played with footage of things to come, including a handful of scenes fromChapter 3.While work has started onHorizon Chapter 3, there’s still a long way to go before it is done, and Costner is still seeking funding to finish it.
Kevin Costner Has Admitted Horizon: Chapter 3 Isn’t Guaranteed (But He Is Determined To Make It)
At the Venice International Film Festival on September 7,Costner gave an update about the future ofHorizon Chapter 3. Costner admitted that finishing work onChapter 3will be difficult, but he remains committed to seeing it happen.
They’re all written. I have to hurry… Now that the rock [fell] back downhill, I have to go put my hands on it again and start to push it up. It’s a rope that I can’t let go [of.] I don’t know how I’m gonna make 3 right now, but I’m gonna make it.
The main challenge facingChapter 3is funding.Costner has already put up several million dollars of his own money towards the franchise, but the fact thatChapter 1failed to recoup its budget could scare off investors. Even if Costner is able to find new sources of funding, there are other hurdles to overcome. Warner Bros. agreed to distribute the first twoHorizonmovies, but their deal didn’t include the third and fourth installments (viaThe Hollywood Reporter). Costner may have to find another distributor, though the first film’s streaming success could be enticing to streaming services like Netflix or Max.
Kevin Costner’s name carries quite a bit of weight, so there is still a good chance he will be able to secure funding and makeHorizon: An American Saga - Chapter 3.
Though there is a long road to gettingHorizon Chapter 3finished, Costner seems to have a plan of attack.Costner gave an updatedHorizonsequel plan, and he speculated that he may shoot bothChapter 3andChapter 4back to back in the spring of 2025. That plan is, of course, contingent on Costner either securing outside funding or using even more of his own money and other assets to green-light production. FilmingHorizon Chapter 3, however, will only solve the first of the franchise’s problems.
Kevin Costner’s Horizon Struggles Won’t End With Chapter 3
Even ifHorizon: An American Saga - Chapter 3does come to fruition and Kevin Costner is able to finish the film, the franchise will still be in hot water. Costner has planned from the start to makefourHorizonfilms, and it doesn’t seem likely that he would let the story be condensed into three movies.Even if Costner secures funding and a distributor forHorizon Chapter 3, he’ll have to do it all again forHorizon Chapter 4. Given how much of a challenge it has been to makeChapter 3happen,Chapter 4is far from a guarantee.
Why Horizon: An American Saga Failed at the Box Office
Despite Yellowstone being an incredibly popular Western for Kevin Costner, he was unable to duplicate the success for Horizon: An American Saga.
The final fate of theHorizonfranchise will essentially come down toHorizon Chapter 2. If the second installment manages to succeed where the first failed, then Costner’s chances of finishing the sequels could look a lot more hopeful.Chapter 2should also have an advantage over the first, since audiences have been introduced to the world and characters ofHorizon. Conversely,Horizon Chapter 2could suffer from bad word of mouth after the first movie’s poor box office performance. In any case, the only way to know for sure whetherHorizon: An American Saga - Chapter 3is still happening is to wait.
Sources:Box Office Mojo,The Hollywood Reporter
Horizon: An American Saga
“Horizon: An American Saga” is a series of epic Western films directed, produced, and co-written by Kevin Costner. The saga spans pre- and post-Civil War America, detailing the exploration and settlement of the American West over 15 years, and follows multiple storylines of fictional characters as they navigate the challenges and opportunities of this tumultuous period.
