In a recent cover story for GQ magazine, Kevin Costner clarified that claims that he co-financed his new Western epic “Horizon: An American Saga” with $20 million of his own funds were untrue, as he contributed more from his personal bank account.
Costner remarked, “I know they say I got $20 million of my own money in this movie.” “That is untrue. As of right now, the film has roughly $38 million. That is the actuality. That is the actual figure.
“Horizon: An American Saga” was financed by Costner and two other unidentified financiers. Four films make up the Western saga, two of which were filmed back-to-back. To a mixed reception, Costner just presented the three-hour first film at the Cannes Film Festival. The first two parts will be released in theatres this summer by Warner Bros. Although Costner is currently in pre-production on the third film, the latter two episodes are still unfunded.
“They’re not funded yet, but they’re going to happen regardless,” Costner stated. “You know, I have my bag at the end of the street and I’m wondering where all of you bold, wealthy billionaires have gone. I think I might throw up if I hear the phrase “billionaire” one more time.
Regarding the investors he’s looking for, Costner continued, “I need somebody that’s impulsive, is emotional, has money, and wants to go west.” “And it’s like, let’s check your level of gambling acumen now. since the movie features everything I own.
The expansive tale “Horizon: An American Saga” chronicles the establishment of an Old West town during a crucial juncture in the history of American growth. Alongside 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 in the ensemble cast of the film is Costner.
Since 1988, when the film was a more personal tale of two men in the Old West, Costner has been thinking about directing “Horizon.”
As reported by GQ magazine: “In 2003, Costner was set to work with Disney on a film called ‘Horizon.’ However, due to a disagreement over a budget of $5 million, the director and the studio parted ways, and Costner, who never backs down from a challenge, left the project.” The script was then taken up by Costner once more in 2012, and he and screenwriter/author Jon Baird developed it into four scripts.
Upon learning that no studio would fund the big film, Costner made the decision to mortgage his ranch in order to begin financing the $100 million required to realise his epic vision. It remains to be seen whether Costner contributes an additional $38 million to produce the last two films.
“I don’t know why it was so hard,” Costner responded when questioned about his difficulties finding the money for the movie during a Cannes press conference.
“You watched the film. “I don’t know why it was so difficult to convince people that the movie I wanted to make was real,” he continued. You know, I don’t believe that my film is superior to anyone else’s, but I also don’t believe that anyone else’s film is inferior to mine. I don’t take anything that I don’t believe is good out into the world.
Reviews for the first film have been distinctly mixed, despite the fact that Costner received a seven-minute standing ovation at the Cannes film festival after the film’s global debut. In his review for Variety, Owen Gleiberman said that the first film felt more like a setup for a TV miniseries.
“Rather than crafting a compelling and well-developed Western storyline, Costner presents three hours of anecdotes,” the review states. “He jumps between character groups, briefly touches on situations that are abruptly ended, provides a flimsy synopsis of life on the range, and frequently leaves the audience to piece together the background of what they’re seeing.”
The U.S. premiere of “Horizon” is set for June 28. The second segment of the film will hit theatres on August 16.
