The Western drama will be released in two parts, with Chapter One being released in cinemas on June 28, 2024 and Chapter Two following promptly on August 16, 2024.
The films, Costner’s first directorial efforts in 20 years, depict a 15-year period both before and after the Civil War expansion and settlement of the American West, with the stacked cast including Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Jena Malone and Luke Wilson.
“Horizon: An American Saga tells the story of that journey in an honest and forthcoming way, highlighting the points of view and consequences of the characters’ life and death decisions,” said Costner in a statement.
“America’s expansion into the west was one that was fraught with peril and intrigue from the natural elements, to the interactions with the indigenous peoples who lived on the land, and the determination and at many times ruthlessness of those who sought to settle it.”
“It’s a beautiful story [but] hard story,” he said (via Variety). “It involves women trying to get by in a world that was impossibly tough. They were often [dragged] out to these places because that’s where the men wanted to go; women were following their men.”
“They didn’t ask to be in these territories that were unsettled and dangerous, and life wasn’t easy,” he added. “I’ve chosen to make sure that was really obvious, that that wasn’t easy, and how vulnerable people were.”
Costner has spent the last five years playing John Dutton on Yellowstone, which has been expanded upon with several spin-offs, with the latest such offshoot seeing David Oyelowo play Bass Reeves in Lawmen.
“This [story] is one of empowerment, and he takes that power and he uses it for the good of his community and his country,” Oyelowo said of the role. “And that’s really what I hope people are left with at the end of the show.”
