Kevin Costner insists he ‘didn’t f—king cry’ during Cannes standing ovation

Kevin Costner isn’t a crier.

The “Yellowstone” star, 69, insisted that he “didn’t f–king cry” as it seemed he did when his new movie, “Horizon: An American Saga,” received an 11-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival.

Costner appeared on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Tuesday after his trip to France and revealed what was going through his mind when he experienced the positive response to his Western feature.

Kevin Costner on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on May 21. ABC / Jimmy Kimmel Live
Kevin Costner on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on May 21. ABC / Jimmy Kimmel Live
Kevin Costner talking to Jimmy Kimmel about the Cannes Film Festival. ABC / Jimmy Kimmel Live
Kevin Costner talking to Jimmy Kimmel about the Cannes Film Festival. ABC / Jimmy Kimmel Live

“I actually started walking my life backwards for a second,” he said. “I kind of went back to the beginning and wondering, you know, how I even ended up at a place like that.”

The father of seven continued: “We all have these dreams where we want to be. And I’ve had my own. And I’ve taken some really big bites out of life. And life has taken some pretty big ones out of me.”

Kevin Costner after the screening of his new movie “Horizon” at the Cannes Film Festival. ABC / Jimmy Kimmel Live
Kevin Costner after the screening of his new movie “Horizon” at the Cannes Film Festival. ABC / Jimmy Kimmel Live
“Horizon: An American Saga” received an 11 minute standing ovation at Cannes. ABC / Jimmy Kimmel Live
“Horizon: An American Saga” received an 11 minute standing ovation at Cannes. ABC / Jimmy Kimmel Live

Then, Costner clarified the emotions that came over him during the lengthy standing ovation.

“When they started the clap and they didn’t stop, I didn’t really know what…And I didn’t f–king cry. I didn’t cry. My eyes were full,” he said, as the audience laughed.

Kevin Costner claimed he didn’t cry at the Cannes Film Festival. ABC / Jimmy Kimmel Live
Kevin Costner claimed he didn’t cry at the Cannes Film Festival. ABC / Jimmy Kimmel Live
A scene from Kevin Costner’s new movie, “Horizon: An American Saga.” AP
A scene from Kevin Costner’s new movie, “Horizon: An American Saga.” AP

“Sometimes when you get over hydrated,” Jimmy Kimmel joked, adding, “It happens — especially with the mustache.”

Costner added: “But I was moved by what happened in France. I was moved by the biggest film festival in the world.”

Kevin Costner interacts with fans at the Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2024. AFP via Getty Images
Kevin Costner interacts with fans at the Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2024. AFP via Getty Images
Kevin Costner leaves the screening of his new movie “Horizon: An America Saga” at Cannes. REUTERS
Kevin Costner leaves the screening of his new movie “Horizon: An America Saga” at Cannes. REUTERS

The actor debuted his new film at the festival on Sunday, and he brought along five of his seven children to the premiere.

Costner posed on the red carpet with his daughters Annie, 40, Lily, 37, and Grace, 13, and his sons Cayden, 17, and Hayes, 15.

The “Dances With Wolves” star wore a classic tuxedo with a black bow tie while donning a new look that included dyed blond hair with a dark-gray mustache and a soul patch.

Kevin Costner with five of his seven kids at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. Getty Images
Kevin Costner with five of his seven kids at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. Getty Images

During the press conference for “Horizon: An America Saga” on Monday, Costner revealed he partly self-financed the Western feature that cost over $100 million to make.

“You saw the movie. I don’t know why it was so hard to get people to believe in the movie that I wanted to make,” he said. “You know, I don’t think my movie is better than anybody else’s movie, but I don’t think anybody else’s movie is better than mine. I don’t go out into the world with something I don’t think is good.”

Costner decided to walk away from “Yellowstone” in favor of making “Horizon: An American Saga,” which will be split into two parts that both release this summer, followed by three sequels.

Luke Wilson in “Horizon: An American Saga.” AP
Luke Wilson in “Horizon: An American Saga.” AP
Kevin Costner in “Horizon: An American Saga.” AP
Kevin Costner in “Horizon: An American Saga.” AP

On “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” Costner explained that his new multi-film Western project has been a long time coming.

“I had one that I was planning on doing… and then no one would do it,” he shared. “I thought I would do it in 2003, and no one would make it. I thought, ‘I’m gonna make four more.’ And then I talked to some professional therapist, who said, ‘No one wanted that first one, and you wanna make four more?’ And I said, ‘Yeah.’ “

Costner confirmed that he financed “the majority” of the film, adding, “I don’t fall out of love that easy when I dislike something. I really believe in the movie experience.”

Kevin Costner at a press conference for “Horizon: An American Saga” on May 20, 2024. Getty Images
Kevin Costner at a press conference for “Horizon: An American Saga” on May 20, 2024. Getty Images

“It [‘Horizon’] is a movie I made for myself knowing that it would come to these theaters,” Costner said. “It wouldn’t be my movie anymore — it would be yours.”

“Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1” will be released in theaters June 28. “Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2” comes out Aug. 16.