Kevin Costner's £82 million gamble: "Horizon: An American Saga" flops at box office

Kevin Costner needed £82 million to shoot "Horizon: An American Saga". The viewership results from the first few days since the premiere must be giving the star and his accountants a headache.

Kevin Costner enjoyed immense popularity in recent years while starring in the series "Yellowstone". Media reported that Costner earned a million dollars per episode. Eventually, the actor fell out with the creators and threatened to leave. He did so with the fifth season. "I loved it and I know you loved it. And I just wanted to let you know that I won’t be returning," Kevin said in a short video posted on Instagram in mid-June. And while an average of 11 million viewers follow the fate of John Dutton, no one in the UK wants to watch Costner's new production, into which he has put his heart and money.

There hasn't been such a flop in the film world for a long time. An actor who made a lot of money from a series decided to make a four-episode saga about the lives of the first settlers of the so-called Wild West, population migration, the conflict with the indigenous inhabitants, and their first wars over who has the right to inhabit American land. In "Horizon: An American Saga", viewers follow the fate of about 20 characters who must cope with sometimes catastrophic conditions. To create his magnum opus, Costner moved heaven and earth and drove his accountants crazy.

For months, it has been known that the star shelled out £31 million from his pocket, secured funds from two unnamed investors, and sold the rights to foreign distribution. According to "The Hollywood Reporter", no major studio initially wanted to support Costner's vision for a grand saga. The community was shocked by his plans. And it remained in shock when Costner revealed that the second part would hit theatres six weeks after the premiere of "Horizon: Chapter One". At the same time, since May this year, the crew has been working on the third chapter.

"I’ve mortgaged 10 acres on the water in Santa Barbara where I was going to build my last house," - Costner said in an interview with "Deadline."

"But I did it without a thought. It has thrown my accountant into a f------ conniption fit. But it’s my life, and I believe in the idea and the story" - said the actor.

Meanwhile, according to "The Hollywood Reporter", the results of "Horizon" are disappointing. The £82 million film made just £9 million. According to calculations by experts from EntTeligence, only one million viewers went to the cinema. By comparison, 3.6 million Americans rushed to see the new "A Quiet Place", and "Inside Out 2" was seen by five million people.

Where have the nearly 11 million people who watch the new season of "Yellowstone", where Costner is a major star, gone? The series' popularity about ranchers and reservation inhabitants seems to haven't translated into interest in Costner's film. It was calculated that "Horizon" primarily reached people over 45 (60% of the audience). Only 11% of ticket buyers for the film were aged 18-24, which rarely happens. As "The Hollywood Reporter" emphasizes, older viewers are not the group that first rushes to the cinema for a new release. They point out that Costner's saga may still get a second life thanks to streaming platforms. The potential is enormous. So far, there is no information on whether "Horizon: Chapter One" will be available online.