Attending (virtually) Hollywood's Deadline Contenders Film: Los Angeles Event was an amazing privilege. To have so many famous faces speaking to me live, answering our questions, and genuinely showing their passion for film-making and storytelling. A highlight for me was Kevin Costner discussing his Horizon: American Saga, a four-part series (chapters one and two have been released) about the making of America. As I have written before, I adore Westerns. So, having a Western veteran discuss the genre and his passion project really resonated with me - the sheer scale and longing to create The Falling Sun. This blog post will explore some of the key things that I picked from Costner's discussion.
Who is Kevin Costner?
Kevin Costner is an American actor, director, and producer known for his work in film and television, particularly in dramas and Westerns. Born on January 18, 1955, in Lynwood, California, he rose to fame in the late 1980s and 1990s. Costner is celebrated for his all-American persona and often portrays characters with a deep sense of morality and resilience.
Career Highlights:
Breakthrough Roles: Costner gained recognition with roles in The Untouchables (1987) and No Way Out (1987).
Academy Award Wins: His directorial debut, Dances with Wolves (1990), was a major success, earning him two Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Picture.
Notable Films: He starred in classics like Field of Dreams (1989), Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991), JFK (1991), and The Bodyguard (1992).
Later Projects: Costner continued his career with films like Open Range (2003), Man of Steel (2013), and Hidden Figures (2016). He also gained acclaim for his role as patriarch John Dutton in the hit TV series Yellowstone (2018–2023).
Genres: Known for Westerns and sports dramas, Costner has cemented his legacy as a quintessential American actor.
Costner remains a respected figure in Hollywood, known for his versatility and commitment to storytelling.
Why is Kevin Costner Important to the Western Genre?
Kevin Costner is a pivotal figure in the Western genre because he revitalised and modernised it during a time when Westerns had largely fallen out of mainstream favour. His contributions as an actor, director, and producer brought the genre to a new audience and gave it a sense of authenticity and emotional depth.
Key Contributions to the Western Genre:
Dances with Wolves (1990):
Costner directed, produced, and starred in this epic film, which won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.
It redefined the Western by portraying Native American culture with dignity and depth, contrasting the traditional one-sided narratives of the genre.
The film’s success demonstrated that Westerns could still be commercially viable and critically acclaimed.
Open Range (2003):
Costner directed and starred in this film, celebrated for its realistic portrayal of frontier life and its intense, well-choreographed gunfight.
It reflected Costner's love for the genre's themes of honour, freedom, and moral conflict.
Yellowstone (2018–2023):
Costner's role as John Dutton, a ranch patriarch in the modern West, brought the spirit of the Western into contemporary television.
The show's themes of land disputes, family loyalty, and rugged individualism echo classic Westerns while addressing modern issues.
Commitment to Authenticity:
Costner’s Western projects emphasise historical accuracy, complex characters, and expansive cinematography, capturing the beauty and harshness of the frontier.
Preserving the Genre's Legacy:
By combining traditional Western themes with modern storytelling, Costner has kept the genre relevant and meaningful for new generations.
Costner's work underscores the timelessness of the Western's themes—justice, survival, and the clash of civilisation and wilderness—while updating them to reflect more nuanced and inclusive narratives.
What is Horizon: An American Saga?
Horizon: An American Saga is Kevin Costner's ambitious Western passion project that dives into the complexities of life on the American frontier during the 1860s. Costner, who co-wrote and directed the saga, has invested significant personal resources into this four-part film series, aiming to reinvigorate the Western genre with a fresh and expansive perspective. The first two chapters, released in 2024, mark the beginning of a sweeping narrative that explores themes of survival, conflict, and ambition amidst the backdrop of the American Civil War and westward expansion.
Costner's Vision and Motivation
Costner’s dedication to the project stems from his lifelong love of the Western genre, a passion he’s expressed since his success with Dances with Wolves. He has emphasised his belief in the cinematic experience, rejecting the idea of adapting Horizon into a streaming series, and has described the project as a labor of love aimed at showcasing the enduring appeal of the Western on the big screen.
Narrative Overview
Set against the harsh landscapes of the West, the story revolves around settlers, Native Americans, and diverse groups drawn into the turbulence of frontier life. The first chapter introduces key characters like Frances Kitteridge (played by Sienna Miller) and Lieutenant Trent Gephardt (Sam Worthington) as they navigate personal and communal struggles. The settlement of Horizon acts as a focal point, though much of the initial chapters focus on disparate storylines converging in dramatic, often violent episodes.
Production and Reception
The first chapter was shot in just 52 days, a testament to Costner’s efficient direction and deep understanding of the genre. Critics have praised the film’s stunning cinematography, with wide-open landscapes and meticulous attention to historical detail. However, some have noted that the sprawling narrative and episodic structure can feel disjointed, leaving audiences with an incomplete sense of the characters' arcs. Despite these criticisms, many agree that Horizon is a visually rich and compelling return to traditional filmmaking.
Impact on Film and the Western Genre
Costner's Horizon not only showcases his personal passion but also aims to reshape perceptions of the Western, blending classical storytelling with modern sensibilities. By focusing on nuanced portrayals of frontier life—including marginalised voices like Black townsfolk and Chinese railroad workers—it attempts to update the genre while staying true to its roots. The saga's success could potentially inspire a resurgence of interest in large-scale, character-driven epics.
With two chapters left to release, Costner’s gamble on Horizon could redefine his legacy and reaffirm the enduring appeal of the Western in contemporary cinema.
Hollywood's Deadline Contenders: Kevin Costner on his Western 'Horizon: An American Saga':
At Hollywood's Deadline Contenders, Kevin Costner praised the cinematographer of his Western, 'Horizon: An American Saga'. He said that J. Michael Muro, for 'serving the story'. This is because the entirety of chapter one was shot in just 52 days, meaning that Muro couldn't wait for the "Golden Hour" of light to shoot. Everything was efficient and with a certain disregard for "beauty" - Costner wanted to 'serve the story' through truthfulness and historical accuracy.
'The walk there is just as important as the gunfight' - Costner emphasises that a character's journey and motivation to do something (especially as daring as a gunfight) carries as much (if not more) weight than the fight itself. He wanted to let these moments breathe (something he has surely done when both films are a staggering three hours.) He reiterated this point of walking as a key theme for the film, as the characters are travelling West. He wants the audience to head West with them.
'These were the lives of real people' - Costner wasn't a fan of the Westerns made when he was young, for he saw them as mythologising and, therefore, diluting the real hardships that people faced when immigrating West or fighting in the American Civil War. He wants Horizon: An American Saga to portray that struggle, that humanity - hence, letting moments breathe and focussing on character development over the gunfight. We must recognise the struggle in order to feel the triumph.
Why I am a Fan:
I am in awe of Kevin Costner's ambition, as well as the fact that he has been given the freedom to make these films (even if he is funding them himself.) If I had the money I would certainly blow it on making an Epic. This is my goal in life. Whether it be The Falling Sun, the German expressionism play that I am about to start writing, or the sci-fi Epic that I have tucked away in a draw, I want to make something of immense proportion. Something that showcases my imagination, my values, my love for my craft.
I admire Kevin Costner because he is making this for himself. And I would do exactly the same!
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