“It’s No Wonder That People Reject Westerns”: Kevin Costner Explains What “Lazy” Westerns Get Wrong & Why Horizon’s Better
Kevin Costner details what he believes most Western genre films get wrong and explains why Horizon: An American Saga avoids these issues. Costner is about to release the first two installments of his Horizon films, the first of which will be released at the end of the month on June 28. Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2 will arrive just under two months later, coming out on August 16. Costner is in the lead role in both films, with a supporting cast including Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Jena Malone, Owen Crow Shoe, Tatanka Means, Ella Hunt, Giovanni Ribisi, and Tim Guinee.
Speaking with Jake Hamilton on Jake's Takes, Costner details how his film, Horizon, stands out from other movies within the Western genre. According to Costner, Westerns are too often inundated with "lazy" approaches and plot points that force gunfights. In his Horizon: An American Saga, he instead spends more time focusing on an underrepresented piece of the Western: the Female Characters. Costner says that "the strength in Horizon is in the women," citing specific scenes featuring the women characters. He still has the gunfights and battles, but the women give Horizon heart.
Will Costner's Western Stand Out Enough to Succeed At the Box Office?
As it hits theaters, Horizon's success is benefited from the fact that the Western is already on the rise again, as TV shows such as Yellowstone and Lawmen: Bass Reeves have impressed audiences in recent years.
Implicit in Costner's response is the fact that films in the Western genre have historically underestimated their Female Characters. This is even true in some modern Westerns. In Hell or High Water and The Power of the Dog, men are the story's primary focus, with their wives and other supporting female characters taking a backseat. Women in Westerns have historically been treated like this, often just background characters in a male-centric story. Costner's Horizon could then draw a broader audience by focusing on women.
Horizon: An American Saga: A New Take on the Western Genre
Kevin Costner offers his detailed analysis on why he thinks that people dislike Westerns and explains why Horizon: An American Saga is better. Costner's Horizon, a sprawling epic set in the American West, is an ambitious project that seeks to revitalize the Western genre. The film aims to explore the complexities of the frontier, presenting a nuanced and multifaceted portrayal of the era.
Costner's vision for Horizon is to provide a more authentic and immersive experience for viewers, focusing on the human stories that shaped the American West. The film's emphasis on female characters, their struggles, and their triumphs, is a refreshing departure from the traditional Western narratives that often focus solely on male protagonists. Horizon is a testament to Costner's commitment to bringing a new perspective to the Western genre, challenging established tropes and offering a more nuanced and engaging story.
Horizon: An American Saga vs Other Westerns
Horizon: An American Saga has always been a big risk for star and creator Kevin Costner, but its most recent problem could threaten the entire saga.
Costner's Horizon stands out from other Westerns by embracing a broader perspective, focusing on the lives of women, the complexities of relationships, and the diverse experiences of different cultures and communities during the frontier era. The film also seeks to present a more realistic portrayal of the American West, avoiding the clichés and tropes that have often defined the genre. Horizon is a bold and ambitious project that aims to redefine the Western genre, offering a fresh perspective on a classic era of American history.
Horizon: An American Saga: Exploring the American West
Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1 is a Western film directed by Kevin Costner, and sees him in the starring role. The film explores multiple generations surrounding the expansion of the American West before and after the Civil War. Horizon is the first in a series of four films, all of which were greenlit by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Horizon: An American Saga promises to be a sprawling epic that captures the essence of the American West. The film's ambitious scope, its focus on female characters, and its commitment to historical accuracy are sure to draw audiences in. With its stunning visuals, its gripping narrative, and its exploration of the human condition, Horizon is poised to be a landmark film that will redefine the Western genre.
