Summary

• Horizon: An American Saga, rooted in historical accuracy, follows the expansion of the American West with Costner at the helm.
• Costner's character Hayes Ellison is fictional, but the film will capture authentic sentiments and themes of the Civil War era.
• Costner's previous Western hits like Dances with Wolves set the stage for Horizon's immersive storytelling approach.

Kevin Costner's highly anticipated new Western movie Horizon: An American Saga is rooted in historical accuracy. The former Yellowstone star and Oscar winner for Best Director appeared front and center in the new trailer for Horizon, the first of an expected four-part film series. Horizon: An American Saga Chapter One will be released in theaters on June 28 while the immediate follow-up sequel will premiere later in Summer 2024 on August 16. It marks the first film that Costner has directed since 2003's Open Range.

With the first trailer for Horizon: An American Saga being released by Warner Bros., fans finally have the opportunity to see for themselves what all the hype is about surrounding Costner's anticipated Western epic. The story takes place during a fifteen-year span both before and after the United States Civil War, chronicling the expansion of the American West. Costner will star alongside Sam Worthington, Sienna Miller, Michael Rooker, Michael Angarano, Jena Malone, and Jeff Fahey.

Horizon Isn't A True Story (But Is Set During One)

Despite Horizon: An American Saga taking place during one of the most pivotal eras of American history, the film series is not based on any real factual account or living persons. The fact all four Horizon movies are set during the pre and post-Civil War era means that they will likely chronicle actual events and battles and carry authentic sentiments and themes of the time. Costner's character, however, who is named Hayes Ellison as per Variety, is not a real person and will likely be the figurehead of a fictional story.

These types of dramatizations of historical events with functional elements added to them are the norm for many of Costner's greatest hits, particularly his Oscar-winning Dances with Wolves. It will be exciting to see Costner back in the director's chair at the helm of yet another American Western epic, as he has grown to be one of the most prominent forces of the Western genre over the years. Horizon will also reveal whether Costner's abrupt exit from the celebrated Yellowstone series will pay off in the end.

Horizon Repeats Kevin Costner's Approach To "True Story" Westerns

Costner's two biggest Western projects before Horizon: An American Saga are Dances With Wolves and Yellowstone, which are both outstanding works of authentic Western fiction. Horizon: An American Saga should follow their well-established paths in creating an immersive and factual setting while telling a passionate and crafted story that isn't forced to capture real-life events with great accuracy. The potential and hype for Horizon: American Saga has never been higher with just a few months until the release of Costner's latest Western epic.