One chapter closes, another opens. Kevin Costner sipped his Green Mountain coffee and revealed why box office numbers aren’t his main focus for Horizon: Chapter 2.
Kevin Costner is no stranger to scepticism. Before the release of Field of Dreams in 1989, many doubted it would leave a mark. Yet, decades later, it’s still celebrated by fans flocking to the iconic Iowa cornfield.
In an exclusive interview, Costner reflected, ‘It was so dismissive, that Field of Dreams would fade immediately. And we’re still doing celebrations of it. Men and women, sons and daughters, it’s stood the time of decades, now generations—and that’s how I try to make movies. That’s what I see for Horizon.’
Costner’s ambitious Horizon: An American Saga took its hits from doubters long before Chapter 1 hit cinemas this June. But he’s undeterred. ‘I’ve faced life with people being dismissive of me. But they can’t be dismissive of Horizon, because now it’s out of their hands,’ he said. ‘They might point to the finish line—well, this is what it did at the box office—but I know that this movie is going to play for the next 50 years.’
He sees Horizon not just as a western, but a story of migration and survival. ‘There’s a moment in time where you want [your children] to see this movie,’ he said. ‘To understand that this is what their [ancestors] went through. It’s not just a western, it’s a history of migration and what they had to do to survive. And I’m really proud of it.’
The decision to delay Horizon: Chapter 2’s summer release to give more time for audiences to discover the first instalment wasn’t a setback for Costner. In fact, the film’s upcoming premiere at the Venice Film Festival is a dream come true. ‘That was a nice development over there,’ he said. ‘They understand that it’s a saga.’
Originally, Costner imagined a longer gap between releases. But he’s pleased with how things turned out. ‘I didn’t ever imagine [the releases] six weeks apart, it was always four months, or six months. But the studio saw an opportunity, they thought it could be something.’
Investing $38 million of his own money into Chapter 1, Costner stays committed to his vision. ‘I don’t really fall out of love with something I feel strongly about,’ he explained. His dedication shows as he fondly talks about directing his son Hayes in a key role and praises the performances of actors like Sienna Miller, Jena Malone, and Abbey Lee.
Costner aimed for an honest portrayal of western expansionism. ‘There was a moment in time when a single stake went in the ground. And that ground belonged to an indigenous population that didn’t want them,’ he said. This authenticity drives him, regardless of naysayers in the streaming age.
Fuelled by his coffee passion, Costner collaborated with Green Mountain Coffee Roasters to create his Horizon Blend. Laughing, he admitted to adding chocolate and other goodies to his coffee. As he gears up for Chapter 2’s premiere, the caffeine will undoubtedly keep him going.
Costner enjoys creating and solving problems on set. ‘Sometimes morning coffee gets me going in the right place. Sometimes, no matter how good the coffee is, the problems are still there when I’m done,’ he said. ‘But there are moments that it becomes incredibly satisfying.’ Ready for more challenges, he’s definitely brewing another cup.
Kevin Costner remains steadfast in his vision for Horizon, embracing every twist and turn with the same pioneering spirit that defines his epic saga.
