Kevin Costner’s ambitious Western epic Horizon: An American Saga is at the center of a growing legal battle, as New Line Cinema has filed a lawsuit against Costner’s production company over an alleged breach of a cofinancing agreement.
The dispute arises from a joint deal between New Line and Costner’s Horizon Series, under which both parties agreed to share the financial burden of producing the multi-part film series. According to legal filings, New Line claims that Costner’s company failed to provide its full share of the funding, forcing the studio to cover the shortfall.
Costner, who has reportedly invested more than $50 million of his own money into the project, including mortgaging real estate and deferring his salary, argues that his contributions far exceed what was originally agreed upon. His camp contends that New Line’s actions have disrupted the production and release timeline of the remaining chapters in the saga.
The legal tensions come on the heels of disappointing box office returns for Horizon: Chapter 1, which grossed only $38 million against a reported $100 million budget. The financial shortfall led to the film’s early release on streaming platforms, a decision that has further fueled the behind-the-scenes turmoil.
Production of the third and fourth installments has reportedly stalled due to the ongoing dispute, leaving the future of the series in question. Costner is said to be exploring alternate options, including potential deals with streaming platforms like Netflix, in an effort to secure funding to complete his vision.
As the lawsuit unfolds, the fate of Horizon hangs in the balance—casting a shadow over one of Hollywood’s most personal and risky ventures in recent memory.