Kevin Costner, famed for his role in “Yellowstone,” is facing the possibility of losing his home after his recent cinematic venture, “Horizon: An American Saga,” failed to impress at the box office. The actor took a significant financial gamble by partially self-funding the movie, a project he had been eager to bring to life since its initial commission in 1988. “Horizon” is envisioned as the first of four films in a series, with Costner not only starring but also directing. The cast includes notable names like Sienna Miller and Jamie Campbell Bower from “Stranger Things,” and Costner’s 15-year-old son, Hayes.
The subsequent chapter of the series is scheduled for release shortly, adding to the stakes for Costner. Despite his successful track record, Costner faced challenges in securing external financing for “Horizon” and ended up investing a staggering $38 million of his personal funds into the project. A clear passion project for Costner, he has openly expressed his lackluster business acumen. “I’m not a very good businessman,” he confessed to Deadline, revealing the extent of his financial commitment: “I’ve mortgaged 10 acres on the water in Santa Barbara where I was going to build my last house.”
He elaborated on his decision, underscoring his belief in the film’s potential: “But I did it without a thought. It has thrown my accountant into a f**king conniption fit. But it’s my life, and I believe in the idea and the story.” Costner’s determination didn’t waver despite the risks, “At the end of the day, I’m a storyteller, and I went ahead and put my own money into it. I’m not a very good businessman, so, scratch your head, if you will. I don’t know why, but I have not let go of this one.”
Despite Costner’s deep investment and commitment, “Horizon” debuted to disappointing results, earning just $11 million against its $100 million budget as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. This was in stark contrast to the same period’s releases like “Inside Out 2” and “A Quiet Place: Day One,” which garnered significantly higher viewership. With such underwhelming box office returns, the financial burden of the film weighs heavily on Coster, with his valuable Santa Barbara property at risk.
While the possibility of losing his home looms, it is unlikely to happen immediately, though Costner may find himself working to settle the debts incurred from “Horizon” for quite some time. Representatives for Kevin Costner have been contacted for comments on the matter.