‘Horizon: An American Saga’ Trailer: Kevin Costner’s Western Passion Project Is So Epic, It’s Split in Half

Samantha Bergeson
·2 min read

Kevin Costner’s long-awaited passion project “Horizon: An American Saga” is finally hitting theaters in two chapters.

Costner writes, directs, produces, and stars in the feature set across the entire Civil War. The “Yellowstone” actor wrote the script with Jon Baird, who makes his screenwriting debut.

More from IndieWire

The official description for “Horizon” reads: “In the great tradition of Warner Bros. Pictures’ iconic Westerns, ‘Horizon: An American Saga’ explores the lure of the Old West and how it was won — and lost— through the blood, sweat and tears of many. Spanning the four years of the Civil War, from 1861 to 1865, Kevin Costner’s ambitious cinematic adventure will take audiences on an emotional journey across a country at war with itself, experienced through the lens of families, friends and foes all attempting to discover what it truly means to be the United States of America.”

(Yes, the italics were part of the official press release, read into that as you will.)

In addition to Costner, the cast includes Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Jena Malone, Owen Crow Shoe, Tatanka Means, Ella Hunt, Tim Guinee, Danny Huston, Colin Cunningham, Scott Haze, Tom Payne, Abbey Lee, Michael Rooker, and Will Patton.

Also in ensemble are Georgia MacPhail, Douglas Smith, Luke Wilson, Isabelle Fuhrman, Jamie Campbell Bower, Alejandro Edda, Wasé Winyan Chief, Michael Anganaro, Angus Macfadyen, and Jon Beavers.

Finally, there’s Alex Nibley, Kathleen Quinlan, Etienne Kellici, Amos Jason Charging Cloud, Bodhi Okuma Linton, Gregory Cruz, James Russo, Jeff Fahey, David O’Hara, Chris Conner, Leroy M. Silva, Bernardo Velasco, Tom Everett, Glynn Turman, and Giovanni Ribisi.

“Horizon” is produced by Costner, Howard Kaplan, and Mark Gillard. Danny Peykoff, Robert Scannell, Armyan Bernstein, Charlie Lyons, Barry Berg, and Rod Lake executive produce the New Line Cinema release.

Costner previously told Deadline that “Horizon” is the first of four films in the works that are set in the pre- and post-Civil War expansion of the American West. Costner funded the project and, in conversation with “Megalopolis” auteur Francis Ford Coppola, explained how “Horizon” was in the works since 1988.

“I started thinking about the story, started writing with a partner, and it ended up being four screenplays. So I reverse-engineered everything from 1988. I thought it was really good. But I still couldn’t get anybody to make it,” Costner said. “At the end of the day, I’m a storyteller, and I went ahead and put my own money into it. I’m not a very good businessman, so scratch your head if you will. I don’t know why, but I have not let go of this one.”

“Horizon: An American Saga” premieres Chapter 1 on June 28, followed by Chapter 2 on August 16. Check out the trailer below.

Best of IndieWire

Sign up for Indiewire's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.