Described as a two-part event, the film is scheduled to premiere at the
Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2024, with Chapters 1 and 2 scheduled to be theatrically released in the United States on June 28, 2024 and August 16, 2024, respectively, by
Warner Bros. Pictures.
Premise
Set in the
American Civil War period depicting the expansion of the American west.
Kevin Costner first commissioned Horizon as a single film in 1988, and later approached
Walt Disney Pictures with the project after the release of his 2003 film Open Range.[4] It was announced in January 2022 that Costner was set to direct and produce the film, a passion project for him, in addition to starring. It began casting in February.[5] In April,
Warner Bros. Pictures and
New Line Cinema joined the production to distribute.[6] In a June interview, Costner stated he plans to make four movies out of the premise, and was looking to cast over 170 speaking roles.[7]
Filming of at least the first installment began on August 29, 2022 in southern
Utah,[8] concluding in November.[19] Filming of the second installment began by May 2023,[3] before concluding in the summer of that year.[20]
Release
In a May 2023 interview, Costner expressed hope to have the first film released by Fall 2023.[4] In October, it was announced the film would release in two parts, with Chapter 1 releasing on June 28, 2024, and Chapter 2 on August 16, 2024.[21] Later that month, it was announced that K5 International, the recently relaunched international sales arm of K5 Media Group, would handle international sales on the film at the
American Film Market.[22] In April 2024, it was announced that the first part of the film would premiere out of competition at the
Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2024.[23]
Sequels
In June 2022, Costner stated he plans to make four Horizon films in total, shot
back-to-back.[7] In November 2022, Costner confirmed that the first film had been completed, and that the second had been greenlit, set to be filmed in Spring 2023.[24] Production for the second film was commenced by April 2023, with
Glynn Turman,
Kathleen Quinlan and
Giovanni Ribisi joining Kevin Costner, Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Ella Hunt, Will Patton, Luke Wilson, Isabelle Fuhrman and Thomas Haden Church, who continue on from the first film. Director of photography J. Michael Muro, production designer
Derek R. Hill, editor Miklos Wright and costume designer Lisa Lovaas would also return.[25] The second film finished production in Summer 2023, with the production of the third film being paused because of the
2023 Hollywood labor disputes.[26]