By Kevin Costner has taken some gambles over the years that have mostly paid off very well for him, but with his four-chapter “Horizon” saga his luck may have run out.
The first film hit cinemas this Friday, the second is being ready to screen mid-August, the third has begun filming but has yet to find full financing, the fourth has yet to begin production.
A new feature piece at Variety has gone into the finances, and Costner’s own investment in the four-film saga.
Costner and a private group of investors are financing the projects which he was adamant that he wanted as theatrical releases, rather than a limited TV series which would seem more suitable for the material and might’ve landed backing from a network or streamer.
The new report indicates Costner and his investors are footing the bill for film’s marketing, which sources tell the trade is “easily $30 million”. That’s on top of the production budget, which they indicate the first film cost $100 million to produce, and separate reports indicate the second one came in cheaper at around $80 million.
Costner himself is believed to have spent at least $38 million of his own money on the overall saga so far. The production also reportedly received help in the form of $14 million in tax incentives from the state of Utah for the production of the second film.
Warner Bros. Pictures itself will receive only around 8% of the film’s box-office grosses for distribution, with the film debuting domestically this weekend to current estimates which have it at around $11 million.
Critics are widely negative on the film which sits at 40% on Rotten Tomatoes, and audiences aren’t far behind at 68% along with a B- CinemaScore. Warners is still expected to move forward with the theatrical release of the second film though.
Source: THR
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