Kevin Costner rode into Cannes with cowboy swagger, making finger pistols on the crimson carpet to cheers from the group forward of the premiere for Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1, {a partially} self-financed western that is likely one of the largest swings of his lengthy profession.
Contained in the Grand Lumiere Theatre, Costner was greeted with prolonged applause (together with from some friends carrying cowboy hats) earlier than the primary public screening of the $90 million-plus budgeted movie that’s deliberate as half one in every of a four-part saga.
Three hours later, because the credit rolled, the group delivered a standing ovation that started to taper off at across the four-and-a-half-minute mark, however then continued on for a complete of round ten minutes, ending when a tearful Costner took the microphone to talk about his movie, which he directed, produced, co-wrote and stars in.
“I’m sorry you needed to clap so lengthy for me to talk,” Costner informed the group, including of the film, “It’s not mine anymore. It’s yours. I knew that the minute this was over. And that’s the best way it must be.”
Continued Costner: “I feel films aren’t about their opening weekends, they’re about their lives. And about what number of occasions you’re keen to share it. And I hope you do share this film along with your sweethearts, along with your youngsters.”
Horizon is a serious gamble for Costner, who has been making an attempt to make the mission for greater than 30 years. After a long time of looking for studio financier, Costner as a substitute put in $20 million of his personal funds into the mission, deferring his charges and taking out a mortgage towards his Santa Barbara residence. “When nobody wished to make the primary one, I bought the intense thought to make 4,” Costner stated wryly in February throughout a press convention. He has already shot Chapter 2, which bows simply two months after Chapter One. He has two extra scripts he want to make, and has shot just a few days on Chapter 3, however is in want of funds to finish the image.
Since directing greatest image winner Dances with Wolves, Costner has change into synonymous with the western style, and emerged as one in every of its largest champions. He was one of many first A-list film stars to leap to TV with the miniseries Hatfields & McCoys in 2012, earlier than such a film-to-TV transfer turned commonplace. And extra notably, he has led the rankings juggernaut Yellowstone for 5 seasons, with the destiny of the second half of season 5 hanging within the stability. (Yellowstone producers have claimed Costner’s Horizon schedule had made him unavailable for the present, whereas Costner’s camp has blamed writing delays on the Yellowstone finish.)
Costner is banking on his Yellowstone crowd displaying up for Horizon. In a daring transfer, the primary two elements will come out in shut succession, with Chapter 1 arriving in North America on June 28 and Chapter 2 coming in August. Warner Bros. is dealing with home distribution, however doesn’t have monetary pores and skin within the recreation.
Although the Cannes crowd appeared to love the movie, The Hollywood Reporter chief movie critic David Rooney was not excessive on it, writing, “Kevin Costner has been within the saddle lengthy sufficient to know the distinction between a big-screen function Western like Dances With Wolves, a miniseries like Hatfields & McCoys or a longform like Yellowstone. All these tasks have executed effectively by him and he’s executed effectively by them. His connection to the quintessential Americana style and the rugged lands it calls house is indubitable. So why is his sprawling new frontier story, Horizon: An American Saga, such a slipshod slog? It performs like a restricted sequence overhauled as a film, however extra like a hasty tough reduce than a launch prepared for any format.”
He was joined at Cannes by Horizon stars Sienna Miller, Jena Malone, Isabelle Fuhrman, Ella Hunt, Georgia MacPhail, Abbey Lee and Wasé Chief. Costner acquired assist for the movie from notable friends together with his JFK director Oliver Stone, Julianne Moore, Michelle Yeoh and Isabelle Huppert.
As for the way forward for Horizon, Costner ended his remarks by promising the group there are three extra movies coming. Mentioned the actor: “It’s simply one other miracle in my life. I hope this time was price it for you.”
Might 19, 1:22 p.m.: A earlier model of this story incorrectly acknowledged that Common was dealing with worldwide rights on Horizon.