Kevin Costner's Potential Return to the Western Genre: A Reflection of Past Success

Kevin Costner's Horizon: An American Saga has the potential to bring back the Western genre's popularity, just like he did in 1990. Westerns used to be a favorite in Hollywood, but by the 1960s, audiences had grown tired of them. Despite this, iconic figures like Clint Eastwood and John Wayne kept the genre alive to some extent.

Sergio Leone's Spaghetti Westerns, such as Once Upon a Time in the West, helped revive interest, but Westerns were nearly extinct by the 1980s. While they may never reach their former glory, occasional hits like The Hateful Eight or True Grit remake prove there is still an audience. Kevin Costner's upcoming Horizon movies aim to breathe new life into the genre as well.

Kevin Costner's Impact on Western Films in the 90s

Kevin Costner played a significant role in the resurgence of Western films in the 1990s. His movie "Dances With Wolves" led to a brief period where Westerns regained popularity in Hollywood.

Horizon could kick off its own Western revival

Kevin Costner as John Dunbar kneeling in front of a vast landscape in Dances With Wolves - Horizon could kick off its own Western revival - Kevin Costner's Dances With Wolves Led To A Short-Lived Western Comeback During The '90s

Costner's financial success is tied to the performance of Horizon, with the potential for a big payout if they do well. The fate of Horizon's Chapters 3 and 4 also hinges on the first two parts making a profit. This risky move by Costner is reminiscent of his directorial debut, Dances with Wolves, where he invested his own money. Initially dismissed as a vanity project called Kevin's Gate, the film went on to earn $424 million globally and win multiple Oscars, including Best Director for Costner.

The unexpected success of Dances with Wolves showed that there was still an audience for Western films, leading to a resurgence of the genre on the big screen. Over the next few years, movies like Unforgiven, Tombstone, Legends of the Fall, and The Quick and the Dead were released, capitalizing on the renewed interest in Westerns.

Other popular Western films from the '90s include Young Guns II, Bad Girls, and Posse.

However, as we moved into the late '90s, big-budget movies with special effects like Independence Day and Armageddon became the main focus for studios. Even Kevin Costner's Western film The Postman did not do well at the box office in 1997, indicating that the Western movie trend was coming to an end.

Why Major Studios Avoided Making Westerns During The '80s

Two words: Heaven's. Gate.

Kris Kristopherson against a burned out cable in Heaven's Gate 1980 - Two words: Heaven's. Gate. - Why Major Studios Avoided Making Westerns During The '80s

The 1980s marked a tough time for Western movies, as very few were being made. The genre had already started to decline in the '70s, with Clint Eastwood taking a break after The Outlaw Josey Wales, and many of John Wayne's later films not doing well. Younger audiences were more interested in modern stories, and blockbusters like Jaws and Star Wars had a huge impact on the industry. However, the film that really hurt Westerns was Heaven's Gate, costing $44 million to make but only making $3.5 million worldwide (via Box Office Mojo).

Costner's Horizon Gamble Could Lead To Another Big Screen Western Comeback

Heaven's Gate ranks as one of the biggest bombs in Hollywood history and brought the auteur era - where directors were largely given free creative reign by studios - to a swift end. So profound was Heaven's Gate's failure that major studios refused to touch Westerns for years afterward. Outside of Eastwood's Western comeback Pale Rider or 1988's Young Guns, the decade has few "Oaters" of note. Some movies snuck Western themes into the story - like sci-fi thriller Outland or Near Dark - but had to hide them in contemporary settings.

There's hope for the genre on the Horizon

Kevin Costner in Horizon: An American Saga. - There's hope for the genre on the Horizon - Costner's Horizon Gamble Could Lead To Another Big Screen Western Comeback

Major studios are not as eager to produce Western movies as they used to be since Dances with Wolves. However, Western films are still being made, but it's difficult for them to become popular without a big director like Tarantino leading the way. Kevin Costner, who is no stranger to Westerns, stars in the TV series Yellowstone, a modern take on the genre. He is confident that fans of his show will support him when Horizon Chapters 1 and 2 hit the theaters.

Excitement and interest are growing around Horizon, and if they turn out to be unexpected successes, we might see more Westerns being produced by studios. With comic book movies and big-budget blockbusters losing appeal with audiences, a mature, well-produced Western with a talented cast could be the perfect solution.

The star of the films appears to be accepting of the possibility of both movies failing, but the buzz surrounding them hints at a different outcome. It would be satisfying, at the very least, to see the third and fourth installments of the Horizon series being made following the success of the first two.

Source: The Numbers, Box Office Mojo

Editor's P/S:

This article provides an insightful analysis of the Western genre's evolution and Kevin Costner's significant role in its revival. It highlights the genre's decline in the '80s due to the disastrous failure of Heaven's Gate, leading major studios to avoid Westerns. However, Costner's success with Dances with Wolves in the '90s reignited interest in the genre.

The article expresses optimism about Horizon's potential to revitalize Westerns once more. Costner's passion for the genre and his track record of success suggest that Horizon could be the catalyst for a resurgence. The article acknowledges the challenges facing Westerns in today's cinematic landscape, but it also notes the growing interest in mature, well-produced films that offer a refreshing departure from the dominance of comic book movies and blockbusters.