‘An American Saga’ Canceled: Reports

The second installment in Kevin Costner’s Western franchise, “Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2,” won’t be hitting theaters soon.

The theatrical release of “Chapter 2,” which was scheduled for August 16, has been canceled. New Line Cinema confirmed this decision to The New York Times and The Associated Press on Wednesday.

“Territory Pictures and New Line Cinema have decided not to release ‘Horizon: Chapter 2’ on August 16 in order to give audiences a greater opportunity to discover the first installment of ‘Horizon’ over the coming weeks,” said a New Line Cinema spokesperson.

The film’s predecessor, “Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1,” was released on June 28. The Western drama, which stars Costner alongside Sienna Miller and Sam Worthington, has grossed $23.4 million worldwide since its release. “Chapter 1” reportedly had a budget of $100 million.

“Chapter 1” will be available via premium video on demand starting Tuesday, according to a New Line Cinema spokesperson. It will also be released on the streaming service Max, though no release date has been announced.

No alternative release date for “Horizon: Chapter 2” has been shared yet.

“The support we have received from film fans and theater owners as they experience the first chapter of this saga only serves to reinforce our belief in them and the films we have made, and we thank them for coming on board for the ride,” Territory Pictures said in a statement shared with The Times and Variety. “We welcome the opportunity for that window to be expanded as we know it will only serve to enhance the experience of seeing ‘Horizon 2.'”

USA TODAY reached out to Costner’s representative for comment.

The “Horizon” franchise, a four-part film series, was developed amid Costner’s drama-filled role in the Paramount Network series “Yellowstone,” where he played the patriarch John Dutton through the first half of Season 5. In addition to acting, Costner directs, produces, and co-writes the films.

Costner first started dreaming about the story in 1988, imagining five films. In a June interview with USA TODAY, the Oscar-winning actor revealed that the cost of the first two “Horizon” movies required “a lot more” than the $38 million he previously mentioned putting down personally.

“I try not to let it keep me up at night,” Costner said. “Entrepreneurially, I just figure out a way. Maybe I’m a mongoose playing with a cobra.”

“I can’t ignore where my heart wants to go,” Costner added. “I’m not a fool, but it feels foolish. I don’t honestly know why I do the things I do. I’m not hurting anybody, and it’s my intention to bring a solid piece of entertainment.”

Despite its lackluster box-office performance, “Horizon: Chapter 1” received a warm reception at the Cannes Film Festival in May. The screening ended with the audience chanting and clapping for between 7 and 11 minutes, which brought Costner to tears.

“Such good people. Such a good moment, not just for me, but for the actors who came with me, for people who believed in me, who continued to work,” Costner said, according to the Huffington Post and People magazine. “It’s a funny business, and I’m so glad I found it. There’s no place like here.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sequel to Kevin Costner-led ‘Horizon: An American Saga’ has been canceled: Reports.

Source: USA Today, The New York Times, The Associated Press, Variety, Huffington Post, People magazine