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Kevin Costner Ventures Beyond ‘Yellowstone’ to Embark on a New Western Epic

Having won a Golden Globe for his role in the popular cable television show, Kevin Costner‘s departure raises questions. Why would he leave at the height of his success? The answer lies in his passion project, an ambitious western film called Horizon, which he hopes will achieve the same level of acclaim as his previous epic western franchise, Yellowstone.

The decision to embark on this new venture was not without its challenges. Reports suggest that there has been an ongoing clash of egos between Costner and Taylor Sheridan, the creator of Yellowstone. Furthermore, Costner had made a commitment to Sheridan to dedicate just one week of his time to complete filming for the remaining episodes of Season Five. Juggling between his responsibilities on Yellowstone and Horizon may have taken a toll on his personal life. According to a source close to his wife, Christine Baumgartner, she became “unhappy” with his demanding work schedule, leading her to request a divorce. The source explained, “Christine wants them to spend family time at their Santa Barbara home. During filming, Kevin is not around very much, and his absence has been very hard for her.”

However, leaving Yellowstone hasn’t dampened Costner’s enthusiasm for Horizon. In a joint interview with director Francis Ford Coppola, he revealed, “I’ve mortgaged 10 acres on the water in Santa Barbara where I was going to build my last house. I did it without a thought. It has thrown my accountant into a frenzy, but it’s my life, and I believe in the idea and the story.” Costner also reflected on the criticism he faced in the past, recalling how his film Dances with Wolves was dubbed “Kevin’s Gate” by critics, unaware that he had invested his own money and even approached three other directors before taking on the role himself.

 

Horizon is an ambitious undertaking. Last June, Costner shared his plan to create a four-part film series, with each installment connected yet distinct, releasing approximately every three months. He explained, “They’re all different films that all connect, so you’re watching a saga of these storylines that are happening.” The cast of Horizon includes renowned actors such as Sam Worthington, Sienna Miller, Luke Wilson, and Thomas Hayden Church. The story spans a 15-year period during the American Civil War, exploring the Western expansion and the mistreatment of Native Americans. Filming for the first part reportedly concluded in November 2022, with the second part approved and completed by April 2023. While no release dates have been announced for the four-film franchise, it is evident that audiences will have to wait a considerable amount of time until Costner completes each movie.

“I’m not a gambler,” Costner asserted during his interview with Deadline. “People might look at this and say, Oh, this is a gamble. And I go, Well, I guess it is, but do I want to go to Vegas and gamble? No. I’m not that kind of gambler. I gamble on the love of story. I’m gambling on people, in a sense. I can’t make them go to the theater, but if they get there, I’m going to try to take care of them the best I possibly can.”

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