The highly anticipated release of Kevin Costner’s Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2 has been pushed back from its original date of Aug. 16. This decision comes in the wake of the lackluster performance of Chapter 1 during the July 4th box office frame. The filmmakers have taken into consideration the fact that the movie’s primary audience, which leans towards individuals aged 50 and over, tends to be slower in their transition back to cinemas. Therefore, they have opted to give this demographic more time to discover the first movie, whether through home viewing or in theaters. Chapter 1 is set to be available for digital release on July 16 and will continue its theatrical run. Despite this delay, there are currently no plans to release the sequel directly on the streaming platform Max.
The Horizon franchise, of which Chapter 3 is reportedly in the works, is expected to have a budget exceeding $100 million. While Chapter 1 had an opening weekend of $11 million and a domestic gross of $23.4 million, these numbers fall short of expectations given the film’s high production costs. Critics and audiences alike have expressed mixed reactions to the movie, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 48% and a CinemaScore of B-. Costner’s previous venture as a director in the western genre, Open Range, had a stronger performance with an opening of $14 million and a final domestic gross of $58.3 million. However, Costner personally financed most of Horizon: An American Saga and is responsible for the film’s marketing and distribution expenses.
In a statement released by a representative from New Line Cinema, it was announced that Horizon: Chapter 2 would be postponed to allow for a greater opportunity for audiences to discover the first installment of the series. The film will be available for rental on PVOD and Max, offering viewers more options to engage with the story. The decision to delay the release was made in collaboration with Territory Pictures, and both companies expressed gratitude for the support received from theater owners and moviegoers. Audience enthusiasm for the continuation of the Horizon saga has been uplifting for the filmmakers, and they are eager to provide an enhanced viewing experience for fans with the extended window for Chapter 2.
The delay of Kevin Costner’s Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2 has been met with mixed reactions from fans and industry insiders alike. While the decision to postpone the release may disappoint some viewers, it underscores the importance of allowing audiences to fully engage with the story before moving forward with the sequel. The success of Chapter 1 may have fallen short of expectations, but there is still potential for the franchise to resonate with a wider audience in the future. As Costner and his team navigate the challenges of big-budget filmmaking, they remain optimistic about the future of the Horizon series and the opportunity to deliver a compelling cinematic experience for fans of the genre.