Most stars stick with popular television shows way too long and have to be removed kicking and screaming.
But not Kevin Costner, who left Yellowstone while the franchise was still going strong.
But Costner’s decision to leave and pursue his passion might cost him $100 million.
Kevin Costner’s new film hurting at the box office
Veteran actor and filmmaker Kevin Costner revitalized his career when he took the role of John Dutton on the Paramount Network smash hit Yellowstone in 2018.
He earned a Golden Globe award for Best Actor in a Television Series Drama last year for his performance on the series.
However, Costner had an itch to get back to the big screen.
The Dances with Wolves star had an acrimonious public split from Yellowstone despite its success.
Yellowstone’s producers claimed that the rift was due to scheduling issues for his new film Horizon: An American Saga, but Costner said that the issue was because of a lack of scripts.
Show creator Taylor Sheridan is very particular about the show, and does not have a big writing staff.
Horizon has been a passion project that Costner has spent 30 years developing.
He co-wrote, directed, and starred in the movie that chronicles the settling of the American West.
The plan is for the 12-hour epic to spread across four films.
Costner reportedly put $38 million of his own money thus far to produce the project.
Costner told Deadline, “I’ve mortgaged ten acres on the water in Santa Barbara where I was going to build my last house. . .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.”
Vanity Fair reported that Costner was willing to put in $100 million to make sure that the entire saga sees the light of day.
Costner said that he was inspired by films like the classic 1962 western How the West Was Won.
However, Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 is off to a bad start at the box office after it only drew $11 million on its opening weekend.
Costner might have to shell out $100 million to make the films if fans are not willing to go to the theater.
Reviews have been mixed, with some calling it a potential classic.
Chapter 2 is set to be released this August, and the third installment is currently in production.
Despite the soft box office, the Horizon franchise could find its salvation in streaming.
“The streaming potential down the road is huge for this franchise,” Comscore chief box office analyst Paul Dergarabedian explained. “[It] has appeal among the older demographics, for whom this type of movie is in their wheelhouse.”
Horizon actor sets record straight about the film
The first Horizon movie is three hours long, which is a big ask for moviegoers.
Longtime character actor Michael Rooker, who stars in the movie, defended it from attacks.
“We’re used to 90-minute movies, everything’s 90 minutes. Oh, come on. Give me a break,” Rooker said to TMZ.
“You know, let’s watch a movie that actually tells a story, where you learn about the people and you grow to like them or hate them, and it’s not fast cut-cut-cut,” he added.
Despite the reviews, Costner said that he was happy with the product.
“Would I love that it would be highly, highly successful? Of course, I’d like that,” Costner declared. “My ego would like that; everyone would like that. But I am happiest that the movie that you and I are talking about looks the way I want it to look.”
Time will tell if Costner made the right decision to leave Yellowstone in order to make Horizon.
Informed American will keep you up-to-date on any developments to this ongoing story.
