Kevin Costner's highly anticipated sequel, "Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2," has unfortunately been postponed from its original August 16 theatrical release. The film's fate remains uncertain as to when it will finally hit the big screens. A spokesperson from New Line Cinema revealed to Variety that the decision to delay the release was made jointly by Territory Pictures and New Line Cinema, aiming to give audiences more time to discover and enjoy the first installment of "Horizon," which is set to premiere on PVOD on July 16 and is expected to release on Max in the near future.
"By pushing back the release of 'Horizon: Chapter 2,' we hope to provide moviegoers across the country with a greater opportunity to immerse themselves in the first chapter of this epic saga, whether it's in theaters, on PVOD, or on Max," said the spokesperson. "We are grateful for the support from our exhibition partners as they continue to showcase 'Horizon' on the silver screen."
In a statement, Territory Pictures expressed their gratitude for the overwhelming response and enthusiasm for the franchise, stating, "Kevin Costner's vision for 'Horizon' has resonated deeply with movie lovers, and we are thrilled to see the excitement for the continuation of our story in 'Horizon 2.' The support we have received from film fans and theater owners has been nothing short of remarkable, and we are confident that expanding the window for the first film will only enhance the experience of watching 'Horizon 2.'"
Sources close to the production revealed that "Horizon" has been steadily gaining traction among older moviegoers in middle America. The mutual decision to change the release date aims to give audiences more time to discover the first film and, hopefully, build anticipation for the sequel. For the Western franchise to succeed and achieve its vision of a four-film saga, insiders emphasized that it is crucial to capture a wider audience on streaming platforms.
Costner, who invested a significant amount of his own money into the production, spoke candidly about his financial commitment to the project last month. "I've heard rumors that I put $20 million into this movie, but that's not true," he said. "I've actually invested around $38 million. That's the real figure." Despite the substantial investment and a budget of $100 million, the film only managed to earn $11 million during its opening weekend, placing it in third place at the domestic box office.
"Movies have been my constant companion, and I've witnessed the highs and lows of their opening weekends," Costner reminisced in an interview released on the day of "Horizon's" debut. "If we place undue emphasis on that, we're destined for disappointment. But I'm thrilled that 'Horizon' appears as it should, and it will continue to do so throughout its journey. This is truly significant to me in this entire process." Costner and his filmmaking crew finalized the visuals for "Chapter 2" on June 23, mere hours before "Chapter 1" premiered in Los Angeles.
"It was just last night," Costner shared with Angelique Jackson of Variety, who inquisitively inquired about the director's definition of franchise success. Costner drew parallels to the film's narrative and the characters' arduous journey westward. "These characters must dig deep to survive," he elucidated. "I had to dig deep too, tapping into resources I never anticipated needing. Yet, I feel fortunate to have steered this process, blessed enough to bring it to life."
In fact, Costner commenced production on the third installment in mid-May, briefly pausing to promote "Chapter 1" at its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival and then embarking on a nationwide tour. Filming for "Chapter 3" is anticipated to resume in mid-August, and key crew members already have the script for "Chapter 4" in their hands.
In his review of the first film, Owen Gleiberman of Variety noted, "Instead of unfolding a robust Western narrative, Costner offers three hours of anecdotes, interweaving various character groups, dipping into situations as fleetingly as they arise, providing a fleeting glimpse of life on the frontier, often leaving the audience to piece together the backstories they witness." The Hollywood Reporter was the first to break the news of the revised release date.
