Opinion
The Hollywood star Kevin Costner is thanking God for having “allowed” him to make his upcoming western epic Horizon: An American Saga as he releases the first trailer for the four-part post-Civil War drama, which you can check out below.
Costner Thanks God After Taking Major Risk
During a Zoom panel, Costner opened up about being grateful to God for allowing him to even make the first two films of the four-part series.
“I’m terribly satisfied in my own life that God allowed me to get these first two done,” said Costner, 68, according to Fox News. “I mean, if I’m hit by lightning, who knows what happens? At least I went West.”
The first Horizon movie is set to come out on June 28, with the second to hit theaters 49 days later on August 19. Experts have admitted that Costner is taking some major risks with this project.
“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,” explained brand expert Eric Schiffer. “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.”
“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,” Schiffer also warned, referring to Costner’s infamous 1995 box office bomb.
Related: ‘Yellowstone’ Creator Taylor Sheridan Reveals All About Kevin Costner Leaving The Show
Costner Mortgaged His Home To Make This
Costner even mortgaged his massive $50 million oceanfront property in Santa Barbara, California to ensure proper funding for the project.
“I’ve mortgaged 10 acres on the water in Santa Barbara where I was going to build my last house,” he said. “But I did it without a thought. It has thrown my accountant into a f—ing conniption fit. But it’s my life, and I believe in the idea and the story.”
Costner made these movies at a difficult time in his personal life, as he spent much of last year in a divorce battle with his ex-wife Christine Baumgartner, who he was married to for 18 years. In court documents, Baumgartner’s lawyers claimed that Costner was expecting to get a “waterfall” of funds from Horizon after his initial investments.
“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,” the documents read. “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.”
Related: Kevin Costner ‘Grateful’ To Attend Golden Globes After Bitter Divorce Battle
Expert Predicts Horizon Success
Despite the risks, other experts have high hopes for Horizon. Brand expert Doug Eldridge believes the film series will do “unbelievably well” and that Costner is “smart to seize on the opening” to fill the void that has been left from his exit from the beloved western television series “Yellowstone.”
“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,” Eldridge said. “His timing, tone and assembled talent couldn’t be better. Prepare for a massive hit.”
Costner famously put up his own money to fund the 1990 movie Dances with Wolves, which went on to earn him two Academy Awards for best director and best picture and a nomination for best actor in a leading role. Only time will tell if the risks he’s taken with Horizon pay off in a similar way!
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