Kevin Costner’s “Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter Two” Receives Warm Reception at Venice Film Festival

Kevin Costner’s second installment of his Western franchise, “Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter Two,” garnered an enthusiastic three-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday. Following the screening, the director and star found himself surrounded by fans eager to capture the moment with selfies and videos, necessitating a swift escort from security.

The film debuted at the Sala Giardino, a smaller venue compared to the festival’s main screening space, the Sala Grande, which was occupied for the awards ceremony. “Chapter One” premiered at Cannes in May, receiving a seven-minute ovation. Despite the mixed reception of the first film, which faced challenges at the box office, Costner expressed optimism about continuing the saga.

Before leaving the venue, Costner shared a heartfelt hug with his “Bull Durham” co-star Susan Sarandon, who congratulated him with a kiss on the cheek. Earlier in the week, they reunited at a philanthropy event hosted by the Better World Fund at the Cipriani Hotel in Venice. Costner reflected on their longstanding friendship on Instagram, stating, “There’s nothing like catching up with an old friend. Great to see you, Susan. We’ve come a long way since our ‘Bull Durham’ days.”

“Horizon 2” was added to the Venice lineup as a last-minute decision, with the announcement coming on July 31 that it would screen out of competition. Its U.S. release, originally set for August 16, was scrapped following the disappointing performance of the first installment, which had a budget of around $100 million but only grossed $11 million in its opening weekend.

During a press conference, Costner addressed the film’s canceled theatrical release, attributing it to the first film’s lack of success. “It didn’t have overwhelming success,” he remarked. “I’ve had a lot of movies that way, that have stood the test of time.” He remains committed to the franchise, revealing that the next two films are already written, with “Chapter Three” described as “devastating.”

“I don’t know how I’m going to make ‘Three’ right now,” Costner admitted, “but I’m going to make it.”

In “Chapter Two,” Costner once again directs and stars, alongside a returning cast that includes Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Jena Malone, and Danny Huston. The film continues the narrative of the epic saga, portraying the complexities of the Civil War and the expansion of the American West. Costner co-wrote the film with Jon Baird (“The Explorers Guild”) and produced it through his company, Territory Pictures