What the Hell Happened to Horizon: Chapter 2? Kevin Costner’s Western Saga Hits a Wall
Kevin Costner’s big gamble may be riding into the sunset before it even gets started.
Chapter 1: High Hopes, Harsh Reality
When Kevin Costner poured $38 million of his own money into Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1, he envisioned a sprawling, multi-part Western epic. But despite the Oscar winner’s passion and star power, the film flopped at the box office, earning just $38.7 million worldwide against a reported $100 million budget.
Critics were divided. Some praised the breathtaking visuals and period detail. Others blasted its meandering story and lack of focus. The result? A confused audience and a lukewarm reception.
Chapter 2 Delayed — Indefinitely
Originally scheduled for August 16, 2025, Horizon: Chapter 2 has been pulled from the release calendar, leaving fans asking the obvious:
What the hell happened?
The answer is both simple and complex. The poor performance of Chapter 1 led the studio and Costner to pause the rollout. The new hope? That the film might find a second life on streaming.
So far, that bet might be working. Since landing on Max and Netflix, Horizon: Chapter 1 has become a surprise hit, climbing into the most-watched charts and triggering renewed interest in the saga.
A Sequel Already Shot — But Shelved
Here’s what stings: Chapter 2 is already finished. It was shot back-to-back with Chapter 1 in 2023 and even premiered at the 2024 Venice Film Festival, where early viewers called it more cohesive and emotionally grounded.
This chapter reportedly focuses on the construction of the town of Horizon and expands the worldbuilding introduced in the first film. It also sets the stage for even bigger conflicts planned in Chapters 3 and 4.
But despite that promising setup, the saga is stuck in cinematic limbo.
Costner’s Crusade to Keep Horizon Alive
In a recent interview, Costner sounded both hopeful and desperate:
“I’m hoping, I’m dreaming, I’m meeting all the billionaires we hear about—they’re all hiding in the shadows.”
It’s clear that the Yellowstone star isn’t ready to give up. He’s already begun filming parts of Chapter 3, but production has now stalled due to lack of funding.
Costner remains determined:
“I don’t know how I’m going to do it, but I’m going to make it.”
Legal Trouble on the Trail
Adding to the chaos? Legal drama.
Costner is facing a lawsuit from a stunt performer and is locked in a financial dispute with New Line Cinema over the project’s funding. These issues not only affect the sequel’s release — they cast doubt over the entire Horizon roadmap.
Even cast members are reportedly in the dark, with no clear communication about when—or if—the project will continue.
Will Horizon: Chapter 2 Ever Be Released?
For now, there’s no official release date for Chapter 2. No announcements about further production. And no confirmation that the dream of four chapters will ever be realized.
What began as Costner’s love letter to the American West is now hanging by a thread. Streaming success might revive it. But unless financing is secured — and lawsuits resolved — Horizon may end not with a bang, but with a quiet fade into obscurity.