Kevin Costner has invested heavily in his latest film project, “Horizon: An American Saga,” directing and co-writing the script while also starring in it.
The Western saga is being released in four parts, with the first part debuting in theaters on June 28.
Costner’s financial commitment to the project, mortgaging his property and investing over $20 million, has raised concerns about its profitability.
“I’m terribly satisfied in my own life that God allowed me to get these first two done,” Costner said. “I mean, if I’m hit by lightning, who knows what happens? At least I went West.”
“Every story has two sides and Costner is undertaking a genuine effort to represent both elements of history, backstopped with a deep, A-list cast, and a renewed national hunger for patriotic, Western cinema,” brand expert Doug Eldridge said. “His timing, tone and assembled talent couldn’t be better. Prepare for a massive hit.”
“Given the recent instability across the entertainment ecosystem – from COVID shutdowns to the writers’ strike, which nearly crippled Hollywood altogether – Costner is smart to shoot, package, and release each piece in short order,” Eldridge said.
“His timing, tone, and assembled talent couldn’t be better. Prepare for a massive hit.”
“Kevin’s total compensation for acting, producing, and directing in Horizon 1 is approximately $12,000,000, and for Horizon 2 is approximately $12,000,000, most of which he voluntarily deferred,” documents stated. “Kevin estimates that this money will ‘waterfall’ back to him starting in late next year. Kevin also has a profit participation in Horizon 1 and 2, which is yet another source of income.”
“I’ve mortgaged 10 acres on the water in Santa Barbara where I was going to build my last house,” Costner said. “But I did it without a thought. It has thrown my accountant into a [expletive] conniption fit. But it’s my life, and I believe in the idea and the story.”
Despite the risks, Costner remains dedicated to the film, even deciding to build a film studio in Utah after being impressed by the landscape during filming.
This is not the first time Costner has funded his own projects, having previously done so for films like “Dances with Wolves.”
“He could face some soul-crushing pain, having invested tens of millions of dollars… mortgaging his home and taking a risk that, you know, this kind of brings back memories of ‘Waterworld,'” brand expert Eric Schiffer said.
“This is a treacherous time for him because he’s doing what many in Hollywood would say is insanity, which is to release a second movie or two movies,” Schiffer said. “This happens in television and in streaming, but on the theater side, you’re asking people at a time where they don’t typically… where they’re accustomed to seeing entertainment on demand and then drive to a theater.”
