Kevin Costner's bold gamble in the realm of Western epics, "Horizon: An American Saga," thundered into Cannes on Sunday, receiving a resounding ovation that echoed throughout the festival hall. The audience stood in rapturous applause for seven minutes, chanting "Kevin! Kevin! Kevin!" as Costner, visibly moved, stood onstage, bathed in the glory of their adulation.
In his emotional speech, Costner expressed profound gratitude to the audience and revealed an exciting promise: three more installments of the "Horizon" franchise were looming on the horizon, adding to the already eagerly awaited sequel slated for release in August.
"I'm sorry you had to clap that long for me to realize I should speak," Costner joked, drawing laughter from the audience. "Such wonderful people. Such a memorable moment, not just for me but for the actors who accompanied me on this journey, for the people who believed in me and continued to work tirelessly. This business is truly remarkable, and I'm so grateful to have found my place in it. There's no other place like this. I'll cherish this moment forever — and so will my children."
The film, a blood-soaked tale of the expansion of the American West, is a two-part epic told from the perspectives of cattle ranchers, farmers, soldiers, and the Native Americans who inhabited the land before them. It's a deeply personal project for Costner, who poured much of his own wealth into making the $100 million-plus film, even mortgaging his ranch. He directed, starred, produced, and co-wrote the film, a labor of love that clearly paid off with the audience's enthusiastic reception.
Despite the rapturous reaction, the film's three-hour runtime and its American frontier storyline may have been too much for some. Scores of audience members walked out during the film, though many returned. However, the film's powerful conclusion, which previews the next installment, left a lasting impression on those who stayed.
Costner's foray into the Western genre has been fruitful over the years. His previous films "Open Range" and "Dances With Wolves" were both box office hits and critical darlings, with "Dances with Wolves" earning him Oscars for producing and directing. The pre-release publicity for "Horizon" has been overshadowed by Costner's messy departure from the hit TV show "Yellowstone," which he abruptly left despite its ratings success. The show's producers alleged that Costner's commitment to the complex production of "Horizon" had made him less available.
Costner showed the first part of "Horizon" at Cannes on Sunday, and the film is set to open in U.S. theaters on June 28, with the second chapter debuting on August 16. This release strategy carries its own risks, as the success of the sequel will heavily depend on the reception of the first installment.
The ensemble cast of "Horizon" includes Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Giovanni Ribisi, Jena Malone, Abbey Lee, Michael Rooker, Danny Huston, Luke Wilson, Isabelle Fuhrman, Tatanka Means, Owen Crow Shoe, Jamie Campbell Bower, and Thomas Haden Church, all of whom bring their unique talents to this ambitious and captivating Western saga.
