In a surprising turn of events, Kevin Costner’s ambitious Western film “Horizon”

faced a disappointing debut, placing third in the domestic box office with a mere $1 million in its opening

weekend. This comes as a significant blow to Costner, who invested $38 million of his own money into the project.

The film’s lackluster performance has sparked widespread speculation about whether Costner can financially sustain the rest of the movie franchise.

Costner’s decision to prioritize “Horizon” over his wildly successful TV series “Yellowstone” is under intense scrutiny. “Yellowstone,” a record-breaking series with over 12 million viewers per episode, had revived Costner’s career and earned him $1 million per episode. The departure from such a lucrative and popular series for a personal project like “Horizon” raises questions about his judgment.

“Horizon,” set during the Civil War era, explores the American West through various characters’ perspectives. Despite its intriguing premise and ensemble cast, including Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, and Luke Wilson, the film failed to resonate with a broader audience. Critics were harsh, with The Post calling it an “embarrassing, poorly told mess,” and it currently holds a 40% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, audience reviews are more favorable, with a 70% fresh score based on over 500 verified ratings.

Costner remains unfazed by the rocky start, stating in an interview that he is satisfied with how “Horizon” turned out visually and remains committed to releasing all four planned films in theaters. He emphasized his artistic vision and the importance of a theatrical experience despite the financial risks involved.

With “Horizon: Chapter 2” set for release on August 16th and production on the third installment already underway, Costner shows no signs of abandoning his passion project. Fans are left to wonder if Costner’s gamble will pay off in the long run and if “Horizon” will ultimately be worth the sacrifices he made by leaving “Yellowstone.”

As the saga unfolds, viewers are encouraged to share their thoughts and stay tuned for further developments in this epic Western journey.