The decision to delay the release of Kevin Costner’s Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 2 has left many fans disappointed. The news of the delay comes after the underperformance of Chapter 1 at the box office over the July 4th frame. The film’s target audience, which consists of individuals over the age of 50, has been slow to return to cinemas. As a result, the filmmakers wanted to give this demographic more time to discover the first movie, whether that be through home viewing or in theaters.
Chapter 1 of the Horizon franchise is set to become available on digital platforms on July 16 and will continue its theatrical run. However, there are currently no plans to release the sequel directly on streaming service Max. Discussions are still ongoing regarding the possibility of a theatrical day-and-date release for Chapter 2. While there have been reports that the movie was pulled, indicating a lack of theatrical prospects, it is important to note that no final decisions have been made.
Cost and Performance
The Horizon franchise, which reportedly includes a Chapter 3, is expected to have a budget exceeding $100 million. The first movie opened to $11 million at the box office and has a domestic total of $23.4 million. Despite these numbers being typical for a western film, the high production cost of the movie is a cause for concern. In addition, critical reception and audience reactions to the 3-hour movie have been lackluster, with a 48% Rotten Tomatoes score and a B- CinemaScore.
A representative from New Line Cinema stated that the decision to delay Chapter 2 was made to provide audiences with a greater opportunity to discover the first installment of Horizon. The production team expressed gratitude for the support received from fans and theater owners, emphasizing their commitment to delivering a cinematic experience to moviegoers. They welcomed the extended window for the release of Chapter 2, believing it will enhance the overall viewing experience for audiences.
The delay of Kevin Costner’s Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 2 reflects the challenges faced by filmmakers in navigating the changing landscape of the film industry. With shifting audience preferences and the impact of the ongoing global pandemic, it is essential for production teams to adapt their strategies to ensure the success of their projects. As the Horizon franchise looks towards the future, it will be interesting to see how the filmmakers address the issues raised by the performance of the first movie and how they capitalize on the delayed release of Chapter 2 to engage with audiences in new and innovative ways.