The choice was made by Costner’s Territory Pictures and New Line Cinema to provide viewers more time to see the first film before the sequel.
Western Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2, starring Kevin Costner, will not, in fact, be opening in theatres on August 16.
Following the failure of Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1 during its late-month theatre premiere, the movie has been removed from the release schedule for the time being. The sequel will still likely be released in theatres, albeit a new release date has not yet been revealed.
Following much deliberation, Territory Pictures, owned by Costner, and distribution partner New Line Cinema decided to reschedule their ambitious release schedule with the goal of giving the $100 million first film’s audience more time to grow.
In an effort to support that endeavour, Chapter 1 will continue to be viewed in theatres and make its home premiere on Premium VOD on July 16 (the movie may perform particularly well on PVOD).
In order to allow viewers more time to find the first installment of Horizon over the next few weeks, especially on PVOD and Max, Territory Pictures and New Line Cinema have opted not to release Horizon: Chapter 2 on August 16. A New Line representative added, “We are grateful to our exhibition partners for their ongoing support as moviegoers across the U.S. discover the film during its theatrical run.
“The audience response to Horizon, and enthusiasm for seeing our story continue in Horizon 2, has been incredibly gratifying,” added Territory Pictures in a separate statement. Kevin developed this movie for moviegoers who wished to embark on an adventure in mind. We are grateful for their support and for believing in our films, which we have expressed through the support we have received from moviegoers and theatre owners as they see the first installment of our series. We are happy about the chance to extend that timeframe since we are certain it would improve the viewing experience of Horizon 2.
Max’s release date has not yet been disclosed.
The parent company of New Line, Warner Bros., started informing theatre owners about the unexpected last-minute move on Wednesday morning. Customers who purchased advance tickets for Chapter 2 at certain theatres will now need to receive a refund.
Costner took a significant financial risk with the Horizon series, investing $38 million of his personal funds into Chapter 1 and raising the remaining funds from the sale of international rights and two unidentified investors. For a price, New Line and Warners agreed to distribute and market the first two films, with Costner covering the marketing expenses. Costner plans to produce a total of four motion pictures.
Conclusion
The withdrawal of “Horizon 2” from its planned theater release has raised many questions and speculations. While the exact reasons behind the decision remain unclear, the film’s future prospects still appear promising. Fans of Kevin Costner and the western genre are eagerly awaiting further updates, confident that “Horizon 2” will eventually make its mark in the cinematic world.
FAQs
Why was “Horizon 2” withdrawn from theater release?
The exact reasons are unclear, but potential factors include creative differences, marketing strategy changes, distribution issues, or post-production adjustments.
What was the initial reception of “Horizon 2” at its premiere?
The premiere was met with positive reviews, heightening anticipation for the film’s wide release.
Has Kevin Costner commented on the withdrawal?
As of now, Kevin Costner has not publicly commented on the film’s withdrawal from theaters.
Will “Horizon 2” be released in the future?
While the withdrawal is a setback, it is likely that “Horizon 2” will eventually be released, either in theaters or on digital platforms.
How have the other cast members reacted to the withdrawal?
Other cast members have expressed support for the project and confidence that the film will eventually reach audiences.