Kevin Costner‘s Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2 is no longer coming out on Aug. 16. The news comes following the misfire of Chapter 1 over the July 4th box office frame.
Still given the movie’s 50+ leaning audience and how they’re slow to come to cinemas, the filmmakers wanted to give that audience time to find the first movie whether that be in home or in theaters. Chapter 1 will hit digital on July 16. It will continue to run in theaters.
Right now, there are no plans to send the sequel directly to Max. There could be a theatrical day-and-date plan for Chapter 2, but that’s still being assessed. While it’s been reported that the movie was pulled –that’s a strong word which indicates Chapter 2 has no theatrical prospects. Again, no decision have been made. Costner’s core Yellowstone audience is at home, and the notion is for them to find Horizon Chapter 1 and then yearn to see part two.
Costner’s Horizon franchise, of which there is reportedly a Chapter 3, is expected to cost in excess of $100M. The first movie opened to $11M and counts a running domestic of $23.4M. While that gross is par for the course for a western at the box office, the pricetag is pretty steep, not to mention critical response and audience reactions haven’t been stellar for the 3-hour movie respectively at 48% Rotten and a B- CinemaScore. Costner’s previously directed 2003 western, Open Range, opened to $14M and finaled at $58.3M at the domestic B.O. The multi-Oscar winner funded most of the movie himself and is on the hook for P&A.
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Said a New Line rep in statement, “Territory Pictures and New Line Cinema have decided not to release Horizon: Chapter 2” on August 16 in order to give audiences a greater opportunity to discover the first installment of Horizon over the coming weeks, including on PVOD and MAX. We thank our exhibition partners for their continued support as moviegoers across the US discover the film in its theatrical run.”
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Territory Pictures added, “The audience response to Horizon, and enthusiasm for seeing our story continue in Horizon 2, has been incredibly gratifying. Kevin made this film for people who love movies and who wanted to go on a journey. The support that we have received from film fans, and the theater owners, as they experience the first chapter of this saga only serves to reinforce our belief in them and the films that we have made, and we thank them for coming on board for the ride.
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We welcome the opportunity for that window to be expanded as we know it will only serve to enhance the experience of seeing Horizon 2.”
Wide releases left on Aug. 16 are Disney/20th Century Studios’ Alien: Romulus, Roadside Attractions’ My Penguin Friend and Falling Forward Films’ Ryan’s World The Movie: Titan Universe Advent.
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