Kevin Costner faces multi-million-dollar legal setback over ‘Horizon' film deal
Kevin Costner
, fresh from his departure from the hit series 'Yellowstone,' is now entangled in a significant legal battle that could potentially cost him millions of dollars related to his ambitious film project, '
Horizon: An American Saga
.' The actor-director's Western series, a long-cherished passion project, is facing financial headwinds, leading
New Line Cinema
and a bank to pursue arbitration against his production company.
New Line Cinema initiates legal action over co-financing agreement
According to a report by The Hollywood Reporter, New Line Cinema has initiated an arbitration claim against Horizon Series, the production company behind the 'Horizon' films. The claim alleges that
Horizon Series
breached their co-financing agreement for the project. This legal move by New Line follows a separate arbitration action brought by
City National Bank
against both Horizon Series and New Line. In response to the bank's claim, New Line reportedly filed a cross-complaint against Horizon Series, seeking repayment of funds. The core of the dispute revolves around an agreement where both New Line and Horizon Series were to reimburse a portion of the film's substantial funding. The report further adds that New Line essentially covered payments that Horizon Series allegedly failed to make, while City National Bank believes it is still owed additional funds.
Costner's Significant Personal Financial Risk
While the exact amount of money at stake in the legal battle remains unclear, Kevin Costner has previously disclosed the significant personal financial risk he undertook to bring 'Horizon: An American Saga' to fruition. As reported by the Daily Mail, Costner acknowledged contributing a staggering $38 million of his own money to finance the two-part epic, which had a total production budget exceeding $100 million. Directing and starring in the planned four-chapter Western film series was clearly a deeply personal endeavor for Costner, who spent decades searching for a studio willing to back his vision. He even reportedly took out a loan secured by his Santa Barbara home after over 30 years of unsuccessful attempts to get the project off the ground.
Box Office Failure and Uncertain Future for 'Horizon: Chapter 2'
The first installment of the series, 'Horizon: Chapter 1,' released in June of last year, proved to be a box office disappointment and was met with largely negative reviews from critics. This underwhelming performance has cast a shadow over the future of the subsequent chapters. The second installment, 'Horizon: An American Saga—Chapter 2,' which was initially slated for a July 2024 theatrical release, was ultimately withdrawn, and its release has been postponed indefinitely, raising further concerns about the financial viability of the entire project. Despite this setback, a Deadline report from September indicated that the scripts for parts three and four of the 'Horizon' saga are complete and ready for potential future production.
Costner's Long-Term Vision and Acceptance of Potential Losses
Despite the current legal and financial challenges, Kevin Costner has expressed a long-term perspective on his film project. He stated that he believes he will own the 'Horizon' films for the rest of his life and remains optimistic that audiences will eventually discover and appreciate them, underscoring his faith in the enduring power of cinema and the big screen experience. Costner conveyed his belief that a film's worth extends beyond its opening weekend success, holding value throughout its lifespan. While he hopes to recoup his significant personal investment, he acknowledged that he would not be devastated if that did not occur. Although admitting the potential loss of treasured belongings used as collateral, Costner insisted that these were merely material possessions, highlighting his passion for the film itself over financial gain.
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