Costner Faces Millions in Losses Amid ‘Horizon’ Movie Dispute.

by ycmus · May 17, 2025

Kevin Costner, the Academy Award-winning actor and director, is facing serious legal and financial turmoil surrounding his ambitious Western film project, Horizon: An American Saga. Costner, who reportedly invested over $50 million of his own money into the multi-part film series, is now entangled in a complex legal battle following the underwhelming box office performance of the first installment.

Horizon: Chapter 1, which premiered in mid-2024, failed to gain significant traction at the box office, earning only $11 million during its opening week—far below expectations. The disappointing performance has triggered a wave of financial consequences, including disputes with City National Bank and New Line Cinema, both of whom had financial ties to the production.

According to court filings, City National Bank has initiated arbitration, alleging that Costner’s production company, Horizon Series, defaulted on financing agreements. Meanwhile, New Line Cinema, which co-financed part of the project, has filed a legal crossclaim seeking reimbursement for payments it claims it was forced to make when Horizon Series failed to meet its obligations.

These legal issues have not only put Costner’s investment at risk but have also cast a shadow over the future of the franchise. The release of Horizon: Chapter 2, originally slated for July 2024, has been postponed indefinitely amid the ongoing legal wrangling and financial instability.

Costner’s deep involvement in Horizon—including mortgaging a portion of his Santa Barbara estate—also played a role in his exit from the hit TV series Yellowstone, where he was earning $1.3 million per episode. His decision to leave the show and pursue his passion project was seen as a bold creative move, but it now appears to have come at a steep cost.

Despite the setbacks, Costner remains optimistic about the long-term future of Horizon, stating in interviews that he believes audiences will eventually embrace the story. “Films can have a life beyond opening weekend,” he said. “I still believe in what we’re building.”

For now, however, the celebrated filmmaker faces a critical period as he navigates lawsuits, potential financial ruin, and the uncertain fate of his Western epic.

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