The Unbelievable Spectacle of Kevin Costner's Latest Western Will Leave You Breathless

Summary

Kevin Costner's departure from Yellowstone is due to behind-the-scenes issues and his focus on his passion project, Horizon: An American Saga.

The Horizon franchise, directed by Costner, will delve into various periods of the American West, much like the Yellowstone universe.

Costner's departure from Yellowstone indicates his belief in delivering a triumphant and top-notch Western franchise with Horizon, potentially even surpassing his past accomplishments.

Kevin Costner's highly anticipated Western film Horizon: An American Saga seems to be heavily influenced by the incredibly popular series Yellowstone. Costner, known for his role in Yellowstone, will make an appearance in the final six episodes of the acclaimed Paramount+ show. However, this unexpected departure has led to Yellowstone concluding earlier than planned. In response, creator Taylor Sheridan has swiftly developed a sequel series to the original Yellowstone saga, introducing Matthew McConaughey to the post-John Dutton franchise.

Costner's decision to leave Yellowstone after season 5 is driven by a combination of behind-the-scenes issues and his commitment to his passion project, Horizon: An American Saga. This marks Costner's return to the director's chair for Horizon, his first time since directing Open Range in 2004. This distinction highlights the difference between his involvement in Yellowstone, where he is solely an actor, and his dedicated involvement in the Horizon franchise. However, despite these differences, it is evident that Horizon, with its overlapping Western themes and expansive scope as a four-movie franchise, draws inspiration from the successful expansion of the Yellowstone universe.

Kevin Costner's Horizon Plans Make It An Epic American Saga - Like Yellowstone

Costner's new project, Horizon: An American Saga, will consist of four films that explore the American West before and after the Civil War. The first film, currently in post-production, is expected to be released by the end of 2023 or in 2024. Like Yellowstone, Horizon aims to build a strong foundation for expansion even before its premiere. This showcases Costner's commitment to delivering a high-quality project.

In addition to its ambitious scope, Horizon will also encompass different historical periods, similar to Yellowstone's successful prequel series 1883 and 1923. This narrative structure allows Horizon to potentially become a movie adaptation of Yellowstone, with the potential for future television and streaming series. If both franchises continue to thrive, there may even be a possibility of a crossover between the Yellowstone and Horizon worlds. Although Costner's departure from Yellowstone Season 5 was unexpected, he has not ruled out the possibility of future collaboration with the franchise in other capacities.

Will Horizon Be Worth Kevin Costner Leaving Yellowstone For?

Costner is taking a daring gamble by departing from Yellowstone and staking his belief in his ability to create a Western franchise that matches or even surpasses it. Although it will not be an easy task for Costner to replicate the success of his Horizon movies, the mere weight and magnetism of his name should at least draw a large audience from the very beginning. The destiny of Horizon ultimately rests in Costner's hands as he takes on the role of director for at least the first two films of this new franchise. With his prior accomplishments of winning Best Director and Best Picture Oscars for Dances with Wolves, this decision to leave Yellowstone and pursue Horizon could potentially be another triumphant move in his remarkable career.