Summary
The fate of Kevin Costner’sHorizon: An American Sagafranchise will finally be decided in less than three weeks. The second film in Costner’s budding Western franchise was pulled from its original theatrical release date of August 15, 2025, due tothe poor box office performanceandmixed critical reception ofHorizon - Chapter 1, which was released in theaters back on June 05, 2025.Horizon - Chapter 2will now make itsworld premiere out of competition at the upcoming Venice Film Festival.
The recent VOD success ofHorizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1is certainly a promising sign for theHorizonfranchise but may not have too much of a lasting effect. Ultimately, if Costner hopes to have any shot of producing and directingHorizon 3 & 4as he originally had intended,Horizon 2will have to surpass expectations and mark a significant improvementfromHorizon 1. Any sound investor will not be willing to throw money atHorizon’sfuture installments ifHorizon 2falls short.
Horizon 2will premiere at the Venice Film Festival on August 18, 2025.
Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 2’s Venice Debut Could Save The Franchise
It all comes down to Horizon’s reception at the Venice Film Festival
At this point, everything comes down to the reception ofHorizon 2at the Venice Film Festival for Costner.
IfHorizon 2gets rave reviews, it could be one of the key lifelines that could help save the franchise. It would provide a much-needed spark into Costner’s franchise which appeared dead on arrival back in June and could greatly impact whenHorizon - Chapter 2could get its wide theatrical release after its delays. What’s more,the success ofHorizon 2could be the missing link in Costner generating financingfor his expected third and fourth installments.
At this point, everything comes down to the reception ofHorizon 2at theVenice Film Festivalfor Costner. IfHorizon 2turns out to divide critics once again, it may not be enough for the franchise to actually take off the way Costner has intended it to, even with positive audience reviews and Costner’s massive star power. What’s most likely to happen isCostner using his VOD success with Chapter 1 to work out an exclusive streaming deal with Paramount and CBSas they may be the only way he can keep his initial franchise plan intact.
Kevin Costner’s Horizon 2 Was Supposed To Release Today - So What’s Going On Now?
Kevin Costner’s long-gestating passion project was supposed to be released in four parts, but a box office misfire for Chapter 1 may have derailed it.
Horizon 3 & 4 Might Never Happen If Chapter 2’s Venice Premiere Doesn’t Go Well
Horizon 2 will have to be an improvement from Horizon 1
IfHorizon 2fails to make an impression and itsworld premiere at the Venice Film Festival on September 7, 2024goes poorly, then Costner can probably chalk the two other movies up as never happening. Costner’s bold production and release strategy largely bet on his first installment being as celebrated and popular as hisYellowstoneseries, which it ultimately was not. Costner has already spent millions of his own fortune bringing the first twoHorizoninstallments to the big screen but it may soon be an impossibility unlessChapter 2can quickly turn things around.
TBD
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Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2
Cast
Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2 continues the exploration of the Old West, spanning from 1859 to 1874. Set against the backdrop of the Civil War, the film delves into the lives of families, friends, and enemies grappling with the nation’s evolving identity.
