Kevin Costner’s Waterworld-Inspired Career Move ‘Revealed’ After Horizon Flop and Yellowstone Feud Claims
From the Wild West to the Deep Blue
After months of speculation surrounding Kevin Costner’s future in Hollywood, new reports suggest the Yellowstone star is turning his creative focus to the sea. According to Page Six, the actor and filmmaker is developing a television series about deep-sea treasure hunting, inspired by his long-standing fascination with underwater exploration.
“Kevin Costner is on a deep-sea diving binge to discover sunken treasure,” a source claimed. “He found gold coins and emeralds recently in the Caribbean. Now he’s shopping a TV series on finding sunken treasure around the world.”
However, despite his enthusiasm, no studio has yet signed on to finance the project, with some insiders citing Costner’s recent “cold streak” following the underwhelming box office returns of Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1.
Channeling His Waterworld Spirit
Costner’s return to maritime storytelling feels like a full-circle moment. Decades after helming the 1995 post-apocalyptic epic Waterworld, the actor is once again embracing his love of the ocean. He also portrayed a Coast Guard rescue swimmer in The Guardian, adding to his personal connection with nautical narratives.
The Dances with Wolves director has even dabbled in underwater exploration before. In a 2019 Facebook video, Costner introduced archaeologist Alex Mirabal, with whom he founded a company dedicated to uncovering historic shipwrecks. “Alex and I have been pursuing the idea of bringing history back alive,” Costner said at the time. “We formed a company, and right now we’re looking for a boat.”
Their adventures have taken them from Mozambique to the Castillo de la Real Fuerza Museum in Havana, exploring maritime archives and ancient wrecks in search of lost relics.
A Passion for Storytelling Through History
Costner’s interest in storytelling rooted in history remains strong. Earlier this year, he fronted Fox Nation’s three-part docuseries Yellowstone to Yosemite with Kevin Costner, retracing President Theodore Roosevelt’s 1903 expedition with naturalist John Muir.
In 2022, he hosted and executive produced Yellowstone: One-Fifty, a National Geographic series celebrating the 150th anniversary of Yellowstone National Park. Both projects underscored his passion for conservation, exploration, and the American frontier — themes he now appears to be carrying beneath the waves.
Fallout From Horizon and Yellowstone
Costner’s pivot comes amid what insiders describe as a tumultuous period for the actor. The Hollywood Reporter recently published a controversial exposé suggesting he had “lost the plot” after his multi-part Western epic Horizon failed to meet studio expectations.
The article also alleged on-set tensions during the filming of Yellowstone, including a reported confrontation between Costner and co-star Wes Bentley, which allegedly left cast members shaken.
While Costner’s former agent, Rick Nicita, defended him—describing him as “confident, not difficult”—the report painted a picture of a Hollywood legend struggling to find balance between creative control and collaboration.
What’s Next for Costner?
Despite recent controversy, Costner appears undeterred. He continues to explore new ventures, from public speaking appearances to ambitious self-funded projects. Insiders describe him as “angry but motivated,” determined to reclaim control over his narrative and career.
His rumored treasure-hunting series could mark a return to the adventurous, big-concept storytelling that once defined his career. Whether the project becomes his next great discovery or sinks like Waterworld’s budget remains to be seen. But one thing is certain — Kevin Costner isn’t done exploring.