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Kevin Costner's Ambitious "Horizon" Saga: From Theatres to Streaming

2024-11-18

Kevin Costner, with his unwavering ambition, has been a significant figure in the world of cinema. His involvement in some of the biggest movies, both successful and not, showcases his dedication. One such project is "Horizon: An American Saga," a four-part epic Western tale that spans over a decade with a large cast.

Kevin Costner's "Horizon" - A Journey from Theatres to Screens

Chapter 1: The Arrival of "Horizon"

In the summer of 2024, the first "Horizon" movie made its way to cinemas. However, the response was underwhelming. The three-hour epic managed to earn just $38m (£30m) at the global box office, derailing the plans for the second chapter to be released theatrically just two months later. This left the future of the series in jeopardy.Kevin Costner portrays Hayes Ellison in "Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1." His performance added depth to the story, but the lack of audience turnout was a setback. The completed film premiered at the Venice Film Festival in September 2024, yet there is still no sign of it reaching the public on either cinemas or streaming platforms.

Chapter 2: The Awkward Limbo

"Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2" now finds itself in a strange state of limbo. Despite the filming for Chapter 3 taking place concurrently with the second movie, there is still more work to be done. Costner has noticed a significant change in the production process, with things becoming less free and easy compared to the start of the first movie.At an event organized by Deadline in November 2024, Costner acknowledged the increased difficulty. He expressed his determination to keep the franchise going, saying, "I'm hoping, I'm dreaming, I'm meeting all the billionaires that we all hear about - they're all hiding in the shadows." His words show his unwavering commitment to the project.

Chapter 3: The Critical and Audience Response

Only 51% of critics on Rotten Tomatoes gave the first "Horizon" film a positive review, and theatrical audiences gave it a middling grade of B- via Cinemascore. This lack of critical and audience support makes it challenging for Costner to achieve his grand vision for "Horizon." Against this backdrop, it's hard to imagine how he can continue with the franchise.However, as several other auteurs have discovered, the small screen might be the answer. Television and streaming platforms have shown that they can attract audiences without the need for a big-name franchise identity. Costner himself is a prime example, with audiences eagerly watching his cowboy-hatted antics in "Yellowstone."

Chapter 4: The Future on Streaming

The future of Kevin Costner's "Horizon" franchise may lie on streaming services. While Costner believes in the big screen and the cinematic experience, the reality is that movies need to make money. With the first film not performing well at the box office, the sequels face an uphill battle.But Costner's determination is unwavering. He has already invested a significant amount of his own money into the project. If "Horizon" is to reach its conclusion, he will need the help of either audiences discovering his film or someone with deeper pockets."Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1" is available on video-on-demand in the UK, giving viewers a chance to experience the first part of this Western epic.

Horror has always held a special place at the box office. In 2024, it has shown remarkable strength against the backdrop of struggling blockbusters. David Howard Thornton's return as Art the Clown in Terrifier 3 has been a standout success, grossing $85.2m worldwide from a $2m budget. This is a 42-time multiplier that few movies can match.

Unstoppable Horror at the Box Office

Terrifier 3: A Slasher Sensation

Terrifier 3 has taken the horror world by storm. Its ultra-gory content and intense story have captivated audiences worldwide. The film's success is a testament to the power of horror to draw in viewers even in a year filled with challenges for the film industry. With a budget of just $2m, it has achieved remarkable results, grossing $85.2m. This shows that horror movies don't need big budgets to be successful. They rely on their ability to scare and entertain. 2: The marketing of Terrifier 3 was also masterful. By keeping Nicolas Cage's terrifying performance hidden until the opening day, the film generated a lot of buzz. This approach shows that horror movies can use surprise and anticipation to build excitement among audiences. It also highlights the importance of marketing in the success of a horror movie.

Beetlejuice 2: Riding on Nostalgia

Tim Burton's Beetlejuice 2 has also been a success, earning $451m globally. The movie rode the waves of 80s nostalgia and Jenna Ortega's fame. It shows that horror movies can tap into popular culture and create a connection with audiences. By combining elements of the original film with new storylines and characters, Beetlejuice 2 has been able to attract both old and new fans. 2: The success of Beetlejuice 2 also highlights the importance of franchise movies in the horror genre. By building on the success of the original film, studios can create a loyal fan base and generate more revenue. However, it's important to maintain the essence of the original while adding new elements to keep the franchise fresh.

Alien: Romulus: A Scary Reboot

After a few misses for the Alien franchise, Fede Álvarez was able to make the xenomorph a scary beast again in Alien: Romulus. The movie received strong reviews and positive audience response, grossing $351m worldwide. This shows that horror movies can still be successful even in a crowded market. By focusing on the horror aspect and delivering a thrilling experience, Alien: Romulus has been able to stand out. 2: The success of Alien: Romulus also highlights the importance of directors in the horror genre. Fede Álvarez has a reputation for creating scary movies, and his work on Alien: Romulus shows that he is able to bring a unique vision to the franchise. His ability to create tension and suspense has been key to the movie's success.

Longlegs: An Intense Serial Killer Story

Osgood Perkins' Longlegs is another horror success story. The movie had a novel marketing campaign and generated a lot of buzz before its release. Its intense story and Nicolas Cage's terrifying performance have been praised by critics and audiences alike. Longlegs made $126m from a budget of $10m, showing that horror movies can be both successful and innovative. 2: The success of Longlegs shows that horror movies don't have to be formulaic. By taking risks and exploring new ideas, horror movies can stand out and attract audiences. Longlegs is a prime example of how a horror movie can use its unique story and marketing to create a buzz and generate revenue.

Ryan Reynolds' MCU Journey and the Wait for Deadpool 4

Reynolds' MCU Debut and Current Success

After the successful release of Deadpool and Wolverine on Disney Plus, Ryan Reynolds found himself at the peak of his career. His performance as Deadpool captured the hearts of audiences worldwide, and he became an instant sensation. The movie's success opened up new opportunities for him in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and he was riding high on this newfound fame.However, despite his current success, Reynolds has not forgotten about his roots. He has expressed his desire to return to the role of Deadpool in the future, but he also understands the importance of taking a break and spending time with his family. He has four children, and he wants to be there for them as they grow up.

Enjoying the Making of Deadpool and Wolverine

Reynolds was keen to share his experience of making Deadpool and Wolverine. He spoke about how much he enjoyed working with the crew and how proud he is of the response to the movie. He feels lucky to have been a part of such a talented team, with many craftspeople and crews who have been in the industry for generations.He explained that he loved every second of the filming process and that it was probably the only film he had ever finished that he mourned. When the movie was completed, he was genuinely sad and a little depressed. This shows the deep connection he had with the project and the team.

Extras and Behind-the-Scenes Details

The digital and physical release of Deadpool and Wolverine came with a host of extras that gave fans a deeper look into the making of the movie. The directors' commentary revealed interesting details, such as how a note from Blake Lively inspired a major change and how Shawn Levy came close to making a Gambit movie.There were also a whole load of deleted scenes, including one with a Jean Grey namedrop. These extras added to the overall experience of the movie and gave fans a chance to see more of the story that was left on the cutting room floor.For more information on upcoming Marvel movies and shows, as well as a breakdown of the Marvel timeline and how to watch the Marvel movies in order, check out our guides.Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox. Stay tuned for more exciting updates from the world of Marvel.

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