Kevin Costner, the Hollywood powerhouse renowned for his roles in “Yellowstone,” “Dances with Wolves,” and “The Bodyguard,” is back with his most ambitious and personal project yet. Costner serves as the writer, director, producer, and star of “Horizon: An American Saga,” a series of four movies delving into the expansion and settlement of the American West.
A Passion Project Decades in the Making
The concept of “Horizon” has been in the works for nearly 30 years. Costner first commissioned the story in 1988, even before his acclaimed success in “Dances with Wolves.” Despite facing numerous rejections, Costner’s unwavering passion for the project never waned. He continued to develop the series, determined to see it come to life.
“I thought, ‘Well, I’ll write four more, see how they like those.’ No one liked that. You know the knot head that I am, but you know I did. I couldn’t forget it, I couldn’t fall out of love with it. And I just kept pushing it forward,” Costner shared.
Authenticity in Westerns
Costner’s love for Western films dates back to his childhood, though he often found them lacking in authenticity. His vision for “Horizon” seeks to rectify this, presenting a more genuine portrayal of the era. The series focuses on Haze Ellison (Costner) and his love interest, Marigold (played by Abbey Lee), as they navigate a dangerous journey filled with violence, love, and betrayal.
“They’re hard to make, these big old Westerns. They’re hard. Things move slow, but you have to invest in detail. Not just the gunfight; you have to invest in the humanity of what was taking place as people made their way across this country, displacing another whole culture that had been here for thousands of years,” Costner explained.
A Noble Life Amidst Chaos
In “Horizon,” Costner aims to portray the tumultuous clash of cultures that occurred during westward expansion. The series highlights the noble efforts of people trying to live honorable lives amidst the chaos and lawlessness of the time. It also acknowledges the plight of the native cultures that were displaced.
“Yet amidst all of it there were still people trying to live a noble life, raise their children, there were still the kind of people who were taking advantage of those situations, of no law. And the people who got caught in the middle are the people that were here first,” said Costner.
Women at the Forefront
One unexpected aspect of “Horizon” is the significant role women play in the narrative. While not initially planned, Costner realized their perspectives were crucial to the story’s authenticity.
“As you’re writing, you can’t start scenes without recognizing that women were part of all these decisions and how they had to make their way,” he noted. “I can’t imagine a world without women.”
A Family Affair
Costner’s personal life has also influenced his work on “Horizon.” After his 2023 divorce from Christine Baumgartner, with whom he shares three children, Costner remained focused on his family. He expressed a deep desire to work alongside his son Hayes in the new movie.
“He’s a very quiet boy, and he’s a namesake of my character,” Costner said. “At first, I didn’t know that he’d be in it because this started a long time ago. But then I was looking and I was like, I have to make this movie. I have to do it, and I wanted him to be in it. I wanted to see if he’d come with me.”
Despite Hayes having no prior acting experience, Costner believed in his son’s abilities and felt the role was manageable, allowing them to work closely together on the film.
“I thought Hayes could do it. I thought we could be together, and that we’re locked together in this,” he said. “I was so proud of him, and every day we’d go to work together. It was a dream.”
Staying True to His Vision
Costner’s commitment to “Horizon” reflects his broader philosophy on filmmaking. Despite the challenges and trends in Hollywood, he remains steadfast in his vision, focusing on his relationship with the audience.
“I have a relationship with an audience. There are going to be people just like you who go in and don’t know anything about it. And when the lights go out and they come up, you’re going to take a ride,” Costner concluded.
“Horizon: An American Saga” promises to be a testament to Kevin Costner’s enduring passion and dedication to authentic storytelling in the Western genre.
