“Kevin Costner Talks ‘Horizon’ Saga and Potential Comeback to ‘Yellowstone’”

When Frank Sinatra crooned “My Way,” he could have easily been referring to Kevin Costner. The Oscar-winning actor-director is currently immersed in his most ambitious endeavor yet—a four-part epic about the American West. Like Ol’ Blue Eyes, Costner is steering this project according to his own vision.

“Horizon: An American Saga” is nothing short of spectacular. Each of its four parts is a feature-length film, and Costner has invested a substantial $38 million of his own money into it. The lavish scale of the production is evident in its painstaking attention to detail, as showcased in one of Costner’s filming locations outside Moab, Utah. The site feels less like a movie set and more like a meticulously preserved historical snapshot, with every detail crafted to ensure authenticity. Costner emphasized the importance of creating an environment that feels real, reflecting both the allure of the Old West and the tragic history of its Indigenous peoples.

Costner acknowledged the complexity of depicting this history: “These towns didn’t just appear overnight. They were fought for, and the Native Americans always faced a grim end. Although I’m ashamed of how things unfolded, I’m not afraid to address it.”

Currently, Costner has completed shooting the first two parts and is deep into filming the third, even before the premiere of the first part. Asked about his current state, he compared himself to a wagon heading West, facing numerous challenges but determined to deliver on his promise to the audience. “I have a pact with them to give something worthwhile,” he said. “I want them to feel like they’re journeying West with me.”

Costner’s journey is itself quite the saga. His directorial debut, 1990’s “Dances With Wolves,” required a significant personal investment. Despite initial criticism from The New Yorker, which dismissed the film as “childishly naïve,” it went on to win Best Picture and earned Costner the Best Director Oscar.

Among Costner’s other notable films are “Bull Durham,” “Field of Dreams,” “The Untouchables,” and “The Bodyguard.” He has always been at ease in a cowboy hat, and his role in Taylor Sheridan’s “Yellowstone” helped make the show a major hit for Paramount. However, with “Yellowstone” now behind him, Costner was asked if he had to leave the show to complete “Horizon.”

“No,” Costner replied. “I fulfilled my contract with ‘Yellowstone.’”

Would he consider returning? “Yes, if the story was right, I’d be open to it,” he said.

For now, Costner is focused on “Horizon.” The first part will hit theaters next week, with part two arriving in August and parts three and four scheduled for later release. The decision to expand the story into four parts was driven by his passion for the project. “I wasn’t finished!” he laughed. “Even I question how one story grew to four parts, but I love it so much right now.”

Costner revealed that the idea for “Horizon” has been with him for three decades, and his son, Hayes, played a significant role in motivating him to bring the project to life. “I saw Hayes at 13 and thought, ‘I have to make this movie. I want him in it. I’m going to do it,’” Costner shared.

The film’s recent debut at Cannes earned a standing ovation, though it also received mixed reviews. Nevertheless, Costner, now 69, is undeterred by the challenges. When asked if he would invest in another project of his own, he said, “I probably will. In the movie business, I shouldn’t have to. But if no one wants to join me, I’ll go it alone.”

He added with a laugh, “If I have any money left! One more good deal, and I’m out.”

As he continues to seek funding for the final parts of “Horizon,” Costner remains driven by his belief in the project’s potential. Reflecting on the difficulty of the endeavor, he admitted, “It has been, and continues to be, the hardest thing I’ve ever done. If I hear the word ‘billionaire’ one more time, I might just give up. I don’t have that kind of money. All these cautious folks might be richer for it, but I’m not that way. I believe deeply in this idea, so I keep pushing forward.”