Kevin Costner’s western epic Horizon: Chapter 2 remains without a release date as new details point to deeper trouble behind the scenes. The film was originally planned to follow Horizon: An American Saga, which struggled at the box office with about $38 million in ticket sales against a reported $100 million combined budget for the first two films.
Warner Bros. pulled Horizon: Chapter 2 from its release schedule shortly after the first film underperformed. A source close to the studio said a 2026 release is not expected and is “not in the plans,” signaling ongoing uncertainty about the project’s future.
The sequel did premiere at the Venice Film Festival in fall 2024, but early reactions were mixed and failed to build momentum. Since then, the film has remained in limbo with no clear path forward.
Legal issues appear to be a major factor. Costner is facing a lawsuit over more than $400,000 in unpaid costume rental fees tied to the production. In a separate case, a stunt performer accused him of sexual harassment and retaliation related to an unscripted scene. A source said these disputes have effectively “frozen” progress on releasing the film.
Despite the setbacks, Costner continues to push ahead with plans for Horizon: Chapter 3. He has reportedly traveled to Saudi Arabia multiple times over the past year to seek financial backing for future installments. The effort reflects his long-standing commitment to the project, even as financial pressure grows.
There has also been speculation that a planned $100 million studio development in Utah could support the franchise. Costner is involved in that effort, but construction timelines remain unclear and additional funding would still be needed to complete another film.
When Costner first developed Horizon, estimates placed the budget near $130 million. He believed he could produce it for $70 million. Instead, costs climbed, and reports indicate he invested about $38 million of his own money while securing Warner Bros. as a distribution partner.
Costner chose to film two installments back to back, a decision that now appears risky given the weak financial return and ongoing legal and production challenges. The situation highlights the growing difficulty of launching large-scale original film projects without strong studio control or clear audience demand.
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English (US) · 