Yellowstone star Kevin Costner’s long-delayed dream project, Horizon: An American Saga, has once again landed in the spotlight after fresh reports claimed that Chapter 2 remains stuck in a limbo with reportedly “no plans” for release anytime soon. The actor, 71, personally invested USD 38 million for Chapter 1 (released in 2024), and reports now suggest the project has been effectively “frozen” amid rising financial and legal complications.
With the growing uncertainty around the sequel’s release, fans are beginning to wonder if the actor-director could eventually walk away from the franchise altogether.
Kevin Costner left Yellowstone for his ‘dream project’, Horizon
Contrary to online speculation, Kevin Costner never walked away from the Horizon franchise, a project he has repeatedly described as his lifelong dream. In fact, his much-discussed departure from Yellowstone in 2024 was largely driven by his desire to fully dedicate himself to the ambitious western saga.
Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 (2024) was reportedly the result of nearly 35 years of development. Yes, the Oscar-winning actor spent literal decades trying to bring his vision to life. Speaking about the project, Costner told TODAY.com in 2024:
“It was something that started in 1988. So, if you just look at the scope of time, you can realize that it’s obviously been a journey… No one was going to make it, and it’s like, ‘Do I stop? Do I give up at this? Do I not believe that something I thought was good is good?’ ”
After studios repeatedly passed on the massive four-part western epic, Costner eventually took it into his own hands to finance a chunk of the project himself. Reports suggest the actor personally invested roughly USD 38 million into the project, which originally took USD 100 million for chapters 1 and 2.
Why was Horizon: Chapter 2 delayed?
Horizon: Chapter 1 arrived in theatres in June 2024, and the original plan was to release the sequel soon after, with the date fixed only weeks later, on August 16, 2024. However, despite Costner’s strong faith in the sprawling Western saga, the first installment struggled commercially, earning just around USD 38 million. Shortly after, Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema abruptly shelved Chapter 2 before the August release.
At that time, the studio claimed that the decision was meant to give viewers more time to discover and learn about Chapter 1 before the next instalment. New Line Cinema released a statement in July 2024, informing the audience:
“Territory Pictures and New Line Cinema have decided not to release Horizon: Chapter 2 on August 16 in order to give audiences a greater opportunity to discover the first installment of Horizon over the coming weeks, including on PVOD and Max. We thank our exhibition partners for their continued support as moviegoers across the U.S. discover the film in its theatrical run.”
In late 2024, Horizon: Chapter 1 was released on Amazon Prime Video and has since garnered much praise despite being a box office flop. Currently, the film is available for streaming globally, and its Prime Video ratings stand at a solid 4.1 out of 5 stars. Even though Horizon: Chapter 2 premiered at the Venice Film Festival in fall 2024 and later screened at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, it remains shelved without an official theatrical release date. Now, insider reports suggest the project’s 2026 release is “not in the plans”.
Horizon: Chapter 2 release stalled amid legal setbacks and sexual harassment allegations
Keeping the first film’s theatrical underperformance aside, Horizon: Chapter 2 remains stuck in a limbo. According to new industry reports, the sequel’s release has been stalled due to escalating legal disputes surrounding production. Earlier this month, World of Reel reported that Kevin Costner was sued for allegedly “failing to pay over USD 400K in costume rentals on ‘Chapter 2,’ and in a separate suit was accused by a stunt performer of sexual harassment and retaliation over an unscripted rape scene.”
Is Kevin Costner planning on leaving the Horizon franchise?
Despite the heated debate surrounding the release of Horizon: Chapter 2, Costner has largely remained enthusiastic about the story and has shown no signs of giving up on the saga, at least publicly. In fact, the 71-year-old Dances with Wolves star has repeatedly insisted that he plans to complete all chapters of the Western epic, even as financial challenges continue mounting. The actor said during an industry panel discussion with Deadline:
“I don’t know how I’m going to do it, but I’m going to make 3… and then I’m going to make the fourth one.”
Costner reportedly continues searching for investors to finance the remaining films in the Horizon series, and has reportedly pitched the project to private financiers. According to co-star Danny Huston, a significant portion of Horizon: Chapter 3 has already been filmed. Costner reportedly shot an early montage sequence for the third installment while completing Chapter 2. However, full-scale production of the series has significantly slowed down due to funding issues.
Pics taken from IMDb, kevincostner/Instagram
Despite a poor box office run, Horizon: Chapter 1 has earned massive praise since its OTT release. Kevin Costner and fans remain hopeful that the second instalment will hit the theatres soon.
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