'Horizon' director Kevin Costner grateful 'God allowed' him to make epic movie despite massive personal risks

 Kevin Costner puts everything on the line at the box office with his latest feature film, "Horizon: An American Saga."

He released the first trailer for the four-part post-Civil War drama on Monday, and showcases the Wild West frontier with which his name has been synonymous for decades, dating back to his directorial debut on "Dances with Wolves."

Costner expressed gratitude to God for allowing him to make the first two films during the Zoom panel. Costner said, "I'm very satisfied with my life that God allowed me to do these first two things." "I mean, if I got hit by lightning, who knows what would happen? At least I went west."

The first part of the western saga will be released in theaters on Friday, June 28, while the second part of the drama will be released 49 days later, on Friday, August 16.

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Brand expert Doug Aldridge believes "Horizon" will do "incredibly well" and that Costner is "clever in seizing the opening" to fill the void left by his "Yellowstone" departure.

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Aldridge said, "There are two sides to every story and Costner is making a real effort to represent both elements of the history, with a deep, A-list cast and a new national appetite for patriotic, Western cinema." " "His timing, tone and assembled talent couldn't be better. Be prepared for a big hit."

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Aldridge recalled the box office success when "The Matrix" was released in May and November 2003.

Aldridge said, "Given the recent instability in the entertainment ecosystem — from the COVID shutdown to the writers' strike that almost completely paralyzed Hollywood — Costner was able to shoot, package, and deliver each piece in short order." Smart to release.”

In addition to starring in the feature film, Costner also directed "Horizon" based on a script he co-wrote with John Baird. However, the film came with a hefty price tag, and Costner had to pay over $20 million in out-of-pocket expenses, which his ex-wife, Christine Baumgartner, filed for divorce on May 18. After this, it was revealed in the court documents. Years of marriage.

"His timing, tone and assembled talent couldn't be better. Be prepared for a big hit."

According to documents obtained by Fox News Digital, Baumgartner's legal team described how Costner expected to receive a "cascade" of funds from "Horizon" following his initial investment.

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"Kevin's total compensation for starring, producing and directing Horizon 1 is approximately $12,000,000, and approximately $12,000,000 for Horizon 2, the majority of which he voluntarily deferred," the documents state. "Kevin estimates that this money will return to him at the end of next year. Kevin also has profit participation in Horizon 1 and 2, which is another source of income."

As Deadline reports, Costner mortgaged his $50 million oceanfront Santa Barbara estate to ensure proper funding for the project. "I mortgaged 10 acres of land on the water in Santa Barbara, where I was going to build my last home," he said. "But I did it without thinking. It gave my accountant the wrong impression. But this is my life, and I believe in the idea and the story."

Brand expert Eric Schiffer exclusively told Fox News Digital that Hollywood's concern is legitimate that Costner's 30-year epic may not return the millions he personally invested in the project. "After investing millions of dollars... mortgaging his house and taking a risk, you know, he may have to face some soul-crushing pain, which kind of brings back memories of 'Waterworld' Are."

Schiffer explained, "It's a treacherous time for him because he's doing what many people in Hollywood would call crazy, which is releasing another movie or two movies." “That happens in television and streaming, but on the theater side, you're asking people at a time where they wouldn't normally do that… where they're used to watching entertainment on demand and then going to the theater.”

The first film in the four-part saga was in post-production in August, a "significant" amount of time to put things together, Costner said while testifying in his divorce case.

"I'm here," Costner insisted while on the stand during a custody dispute with Christine.

Costner and Christine have three children, Cayden, 16, Grace, 13, and Hayes, 15, who is making his acting debut in "Horizon."

Their divorce was finalized in February, and rumors began swirling earlier this year that the "Field of Dreams" star had a romantic relationship with singer Jewel after they were spotted together on Richard Branson's Necker Island.

Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner's divorce is final

Taking on so much financial responsibility for "Horizon" "wasn't the smartest thing," Costner admitted during a screening of the "Horizon" trailer. "But I trust people. I trust a movie to speak louder than anything I can say. And so, with that in mind, I pushed myself west and I just walked And I went out to Utah to make this movie."

The "Tin Cup" actor was so impressed by the Utah landscape while shooting "Horizon" that he decided to put down roots in St. George and build a state-of-the-art film studio.

St. George Mayor Michelle Randall confirmed with Fox News Digital that Territory Film Studios is hoping to "break ground in the spring or summer" depending on permitting processes.

While it seems like it's a big risk for Costner to finance "Horizon" himself, it's not the first time he's done so.

Costner used his own money to finance the films "Dances with Wolves" in 1990, "The Postman" in 1997 and "Black or White" in 2014. Of the three projects, "Dances with Wolves" was the most critically acclaimed, grossing film. Costner received two Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Picture and nominations for Best Actor in a Leading Role.