Costner Unveils Western Gamble ‘Horizon’ at Cannes: “Sorry You Had to Clap So Long”
The director-star put $20 million of his own money into the project, which received standing ovation at the fest.
Kevin Costner rode into Cannes with cowboy swagger, making finger pistols on the red carpet ahead of the premiere for Horizon: An American Saga–Chapter 1, a partially self-financed western and one of the biggest swings of his long career.
Inside the Grand Lumiere Theatre, Costner was greeted with extended applause (some guests wearing cowboy hats) before the first public screening of the $90 million-budgeted film that is planned as part one of a four-part saga.
Three hours later, as the credits rolled, the crowd delivered a standing ovation that began to taper off at around the 4 minute mark, but then continued on for a total of around 10 minutes, ending when a tearful Costner took the microphone to speak about his film, which he directed, produced, co-wrote and stars in.
Continued Costner: “I think movies aren’t about their opening weekends, they are about their lives. And about how many times you are willing to share it. And I hope you do share this movie with your sweethearts, with your children.”
Horizon is a major risk for Costner, who has been trying to make the project for more than 30 years.
After decades of trying to find studio financier, Costner instead put in $20 million of his own funds into the project, deferring his fees and taking out a loan against his Santa Barbara home.
“When no one wanted to make the first one, I got the bright idea to make four,” Costner said wryly during a press conference.
He has already shot Chapter 2, which bows just two months after Chapter One.
He has two more scripts he would like to make, and has shot a few days on Chapter 3, but is in need of funds to complete the picture.
Since directing best picture winner Dances with Wolves, Costner has become synonymous with the western genre, and emerged as one of its biggest champions. He was one of the first A-list movie stars to jump to TV with the miniseries Hatfields & McCoys in 2012, before such a film-to-TV move became commonplace. And more notably, he has led the ratings juggernaut Yellowstone for five seasons, with the fate of the second half of season five hanging in the balance.
Yellowstone producers have claimed Costner’s Horizon schedule had made him unavailable for the show, while Costner’s camp has blamed writing delays on the Yellowstone end.
He was joined at Cannes by Horizon stars Sienna Miller, Jena Malone, Isabelle Fuhrman, Ella Hunt, Georgia MacPhail, Abbey Lee and Wasé Chief.
Costner received support for the film from notable guests including his JFK director Oliver Stone, Julianne Moore, Michelle Yeoh and Isabelle Huppert.
As for the future of Horizon, Costner ended his remarks by promising the crowd there are three more films coming: “It’s just another miracle in my life. I hope this time was worth it for you.”
